On Wed. May 21, José E. López, Executive Director of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, participated in a panel discussion with Dr. Maura Toro Morn from , Attorney Elvira Torres from the political Issues Commission of the Consultative Council of Mexicans in the Exterior, where they discussed "Coalition Politics in Chicago and Mexicans and Puerto Ricans and the Struggle for Immigration Reform." 

Dr. Maura Toro Morn set the tone by discussing the evolution of a political consciousness in the city, particularly, the social interaction of Puerto Ricans and Mexicans women, citing the example of Elvira Arellano, Elvira Torres discussed the challenges faced by the undocumented in relation to understanding their rights; José E. López engaged the audience and other panelists in a spirited discussion that included re-imagining the concept of citizenship, the Latino Generation, Latin American and the United States as well as Puerto Rico's colonial relationship and Oscar López Rivera, Perto Rican political prisoners held for 33 years and Jose's brother.

More than 2 dozen scholars participating in the Latin American Studies Association 2014 32nd Congress visited Paseo Boricua Wed, May 21, 2014. These scholars who come from different countries of Latin American, including Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico, as well as Canada and France, spent the entire afternoon on a cultural immersion tour of Paseo Boricua . The tour began at Nellie's Restaurant where José E. López, and Abel Fernandez, welcomed the delegation and spoke about th community, as well as the urban agriculture initiative of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center including the Greenhouse at Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican High School, the community garden lots and edible garden at the National Institute of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture. The luncheon was followed by a tour of the many projects of the Cultural Center including the Greenhouse. Many of the scholars have focused their research on different agrarian practices and programs in their respective countries.

On Wednesday, May 14th, El Rescate had David (owner of Boca Loca in Nashville) and Juliette Reyes, two professional chefs come to El Rescate to give a cooking class for our youth. Our youth learned how to make a delicious shrimp and mango ceviche from scratch. Everyone was hands on and learned how to properly cut all of the ingredients. They even got to connect with the chefs and ask questions regarding their careers and how they got started. A big thanks to Angelica Alonso for putting this cooking class together and to the chefs for making time from their busy schedules to be with us. Everyone had a great time! 

In September 2013 Roberto Clemente Community Academy began the process for an International Baccalaureate Program (IB) designation. One of the requirements for IB is to engage students in community through Service Learning Hours, which is also a part of the vision of Community as a Campus. The Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC) - Vida/ SIDA program was selected as one of the participating programs for youth volunteer opportunities. 

Subsequently, Vida/ SIDA's Manager of Linkage to Care & Treatment, Ricardo Jimenez and former Manager of Comprehensive Risk Counseling Services (CRCS), Alex Frye worked with thirty of Clemente H.S.' freshman year students. They taught them about HIV and Sexual Transmitted Infections (STI), toured Vida/SIDA and the services available on sexual health. Afterwards the students incorporated what they learned by producing a one-minute bilingual (Spanish and English) educational video for their peers. 

This is the 40th anniversary of Roberto Clemente Community Academy. To celebrate this anniversary the school will be highlighted in the 2014 Puerto Rican People's Parade. Ten students at Clemente created individual posters as a contest for the official poster of this year's parade. The posters promoted the theme of  a culture of educational excellence. 

Students drew inspiration from the school, community, and their Puerto Rican heritage. In second place was Giovanni Valentin winning $100. In first place was Maricella Colon's artwork featuring 

Taino symbols as well as elements important to Roberto Clemente Community Academy such as the sports teams. Maricella Colon won $200 and the honor to have her artwork featured as the official poster for the parade this year. 

On Tuesday May 20, 2014 Casa Puertorriqueña hosted a reception for the student artists and their families. During the reception, the PRCC in collaboration with Clemente Community Academy revealed the Roberto Clemente Cabezudo. Cabezudos are traditional carnivale costumes that include large heads made from a paper mache like material. The students at Clemente worked with Puerto Rican artists Pedro Adorno and Sarah Arroyo to create the Cabezudo. During the parade the Clemente students will walk alongside with the Roberto Clemente Cabezudo to celebrate the school's anniversary. 

Clemente congratulates our talented and hardworking Broadcast Technology students for winning awards in the 2014 Broadcast Technology Capstone Competition. The event was held at the Gene Siskel Film Center on Thursday, May 8th.  It was a rewarding day for our kids and gave them an opportunity to mingle with other young filmmakers.

Michael Glenn placed 2nd in the News Package category for his piece on You Media at Chicago's Public Libraries.

Tarianna Williams, Michael Calhoun, Zirimar Diaz, Andy Rodriguez, Brian Rufus and Jessica Rivera won 2nd place in the Music Video category for their original music video "Life Is a Song Worth Living."

View "Life Is a Song Worth Living" here:

In honor of the 40th anniversary of the first school in the US to be named after legendary Baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, Clemente Community Academy is offering the opportunity to become a part of that history. For a limited time, we will commemorate donations to the Roberto Clemente 40th anniversary fundraiser by adding the names of those who have contributed to the Wall of Fame. This will be a permanent display in our lobby which will highlight the names of all who have given generously  to the celebration. Each brick will carry the name of the person making the donation or one of the below options. The donations will fall into 3 categories, Standard $50, All-Star $100, and MVP $250.

3 pricing options-

* Wall of Fame-$50 donation

* All-Star $100 donation

* MVP $250 donation

 All bricks are bronze with black lettering and border

 Naming options available are :

* Name

* Name and Graduation Year

* Mr & Mrs Name

El evento que ha colmado de boricuas a la Quinta Avenida, en Nueva York, por los pasados 57 años.

WASHINGTON -  El presidente de Uruguay, José "Pepe"Mujica afirmó hoy en Washington D.C. que "Puerto Rico es una de las naciones de América latina" y reveló que ha intervenido a favor de la excarcelación del prisionero político puertorriqueño Oscar López Rivera, que cumple este mes 33 años en cárceles estadounidenses.

"Tengo una posición histórica: Puerto Rico es una de las naciones que compone América Latina, pero va a ser difícil que yo pueda convencer a Estados Unidos", indicó Mujica, en una conferencia de prensa al responder preguntas de El Nuevo Día.

Horas antes, Mujica se había entrevistado en la Casa Blanca con el presidente Barack Obama.

Aunque hizo claro que no fue un asunto que trató en su encuentro con el presidente Obama, Mujica, un ex guerrillero tupamaro, afirmó que  "algún día Estados Unidos comprenderá (cuál es) el camino menos traumático para esa relación".

Con respecto a López Rivera, sobre el cual había recibido una petición de intervención, Mujica sostuvo que "hicimos lo que teníamos que hacer". Siga leyendo...

The exhibition features prominent artists from throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, each of whom has contributed an original work of art on a 4"x6" postcard. 

All artwork is on sale for $50. Each piece of artwork is signed on the back and will be exhibited anonymously, to be sold on a first come, first served basis on May 24th. Once a work is purchased, the artist's identity will be revealed to the buyer. 

* Exhibition Preview on Wednesday June 4th, 7-9pm. Sneak preview of the exhibition prior to the public viewing. Tickets $20. 

* Exhibition Opening June 5th, 7-9pm - Doors open promptly at 7pm, artwork will be sold on a first come, first served basis. 

Both events are at

Julia de Burgos Latino Cultural Center

1680 Lexington Ave. NYC

Featuring Works By (partial listing):

Manuel Acevedo  *  ADÁL Maldonado

Elia Alba * Luis Carle * Marcos Dimas 

Maria Dominguez * Emory Douglas

Elizam Escobar * Zachary Fabri * Teo Freytes 

Scherezade García * Rico Gatson 

Marina Gutiérrez * Charles Juhasz Alvarado 

Yasmin Hernández * Miguel Luciano

Arnaldo Morales * Rubén Ortiz Torres

Pepón Osorio * Antonio Martorell

Ana Rosa Rivera * Freddy Rodríguez

Rodríguez Calero * Adrián "Viajero" Román 

Juan Sánchez * Julio Suárez

John Pitman Weber * Josue Pellot

Jane Norling * Nitza Tufiño

Doug Minkler * Poli Marichal

Brenda Torres Figueroa and many more.  

lunes 28 de abril de 2014

Sr. Oscar López Rivera

87651-024

FCI Terre Haute

POB 33

Terre Haute, IN 47808

Estimado compañero,

Saludos de la nueva junta directiva del Desfile Puertorriqueño Nacional de Nueva York. Este próximo junio se cumplen 57 años desde que se organizo el primer desfile con el objetivo de celebrar nuestra cultura y nuestra historia y destacar los logros de nuestro pueblo dondequiera que se encuentre, ya sea en nuestra querida isla o en los tantos exilios en los que hemos echado raíces.

  Este año el desfile se llevará a cabo el domingo 8 de junio, en la Quinta Avenida de Manhattan, como es la tradición, y el tema del desfile será la gran poeta y activista Julia de Burgos y la 65 Infantería reconocidos como Los Borinqueneers. La intención del desfile este año es celebrar y resaltar los alcances de nuestros artistas, activistas trabajadores de la cultura y educadores y destacar los esfuerzos de nuestros compatriotas que luchan incansablemente por los derechos de nuestro pueblo.

  Por la presente, a nombre de la directiva del desfile y de todos los Boricuas que vivimos en la diáspora, quisiéramos darte un reconocimiento como Patriota Puertorriqueño del Desfile Nacional Puertorriqueño en Nueva York, en junio 8 del año 2014.

Aunque tu presencia física no será posible, nos llenará de orgullo y alegría el saber que serás parte de nuestros esfuerzos para restituir el verdadero sentido de esta importante celebración de nuestro pueblo puertorriqueño. Es nuestro deseo que el 8 de junio todos los grupos que apoyan los derechos humanos y la justicia participen en el desfile para que se oiga en voz alta nuestro llamado a tu libertad. 

Un fuerte abrazo Boricua,

Orlando Plaza

Ululy Rafael Martínez

Delivers Call-to-Action to End the Puerto Rican Political Prisoner's Incarceration of Nearly 33 Years

April 29, 2014, New York City - In the spirit of its 2014 theme, "Un Pueblo, Muchas Voces"/"One People, Many Voices", the National Puerto Rican Day Parade (NPRDP) has officially called for the release of long-time political prisoner, Oscar López Rivera. Arrested in 1981, López Rivera was convicted of seditious conspiracy related to his actions in the struggle for the independence of Puerto Rico. A long-time, vocal champion for Puerto Rican independence, López Rivera received a 70-year prison sentence, having spent more than 12 years in prisons that rank highest in punitive control, under torturous conditions of isolation and sensory deprivation. With this year's celebration, the Parade honors López Rivera to recognize his unique voice and rally support from the Puerto Rican and Latino communities, as well as the nearly 2.5 million parade-goers that line the streets of New York City's Fifth Avenue, to sign a petition for the release of López Rivera.

Puerto Ricans of all ideological and political backgrounds support the release of López Rivera since his sentence is widely viewed as not being commensurate with his actions. In fact, the 14 other compatriots that were imprisoned around the same time as López Rivera were released in 1999 when President Bill Clinton authorized their release, determining that their sentences were disproportionate with their actions. Continue reading here.

Apoyo por la excarcelacion de Oscar López Rivera del Gobernador de Puerto Rico

Así se lo contó a su hija Clarisa López Ramos y a su nieta Karina Valentín López en unas emotivas cartas que les envío a ambas desde la cárcel de Terre Haute, en Indiana. Es por eso que el colectivo 32 x Oscar se ha dado a la tarea de organizar una actividad que han bautizado Al mar x Oscar que será el domingo, 25 de mayo.

Durante esta actividad, que es una de las iniciativas que se ha creado para pedir la excarcelación de López Rivera, se realizará un gran desfile marino con yolas de pescadores, kayaks y "paddleboards" que saldrá del muelle 8 en Bahía Urbana, en San Juan, a la 1:00 p.m. y navegará por las aguas de la bahía de la ciudad capital hasta llegar a la Puerta de San Juan. Allí desembarcará el personaje de Oscar, creado por el artista Pedro Adorno, para partir en una comparsa hasta El Morro. En esa emblemática instalación, específicamente frente a la Escuela de Artes Plásticas, habrá una tarima donde se realizará un acto artístico que contará con figuras como Andy Montañez, Chucho Avellanet y el cuatrista Christian Nieves y su grupo de trovadores, entre otros. También dirán presente artistas plásticos y teatreros como Nick Quijano, Rafael Trelles, Antonio Martorell y Rosa Luisa Márquez. Siga leyendo...

"Around the world today, men and women are still imprisoned for their political beliefs."-President Barack Obama

"But one prisoner remains, now a vivid reminder of the ongoing inequality that colonialism and empire building inevitably bring forth. After more than 30 years, Oscar López Rivera is imprisoned for the 'crime' of seditious conspiracy: conspiracy to free his people from the shackles of imperial justice."-Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu

If you ask any American what is the first thing they think of when they hear the term "political prisoner," the vast majority will say Nelson Mandela. To the millions who witnessed Mandela leading the South African liberation struggle and those who were born in its aftermath, Mandela has become a symbol of resistance to the worst form of political repression. The 27 years he spent imprisoned in Robben Island are an almost unimaginable punishment to people in the West, who like to think that nothing remotely similar could happen at home. Meanwhile, in a prison cell in Terre Haute, Indiana, out of the media spotlight and the history books, Oscar López Rivera on May 29 will mark his 33rd year spent behind bars (almost half in solitary confinement) as a political prisoner of the U.S. government for a nearly identical "crime" and a nearly identical cause. Continue reading here...

Actualizada: 12 May 2014

SAN JUAN (CyberNews) - Los organizadores de la Caminata Nacional 33 pueblos en 33 días por la excarcelación de Oscar López Rivera aseguraron el lunes que la misma ha impactado al pueblo puertorriqueño y que ha creado un espacio de militancia y entusiasta participación en la lucha por exigir al gobierno de Estados Unidos la pronta excarcelación del prisionero político quien cumplirá, el próximo 29 de mayo, 33 años de encarcelamiento.

Según Eduardo Villanueva, presidente del Comité Pro Derechos Humanos, y miembro del Comité Organizador, la Caminata Nacional ha sido fuente de enriquecimiento espiritual, no solo para el pueblo que ha participado, si no para los propios caminantes. En los más de 15 pueblos que los caminantes ya han recorrido, se ha ampliado el apoyo a la causa.

Villanueva indicó que el lunes, 5 de mayo, durante el recibimiento en Orocovis, que contó con la participación de su alcalde, fueron testigos de un ejemplo de solidaridad plena, cuando en la plaza se acercó un deambulante a la mesa del Comité Pro Derechos Humanos y vació sus bolsillos y donó las pocas monedas que tenía por López Rivera. Las enseñanzas siguieron germinando, al llegar a Villalba, donde líderes de las tres tendencias políticas de Puerto Rico se unieron para marchar a favor de la excarcelación del patriota.

Por otro lado, señaló que en Jayuya en una serie de actividades muy emotivas, los jóvenes jayuyanos marcharon en solidaridad con la causa y el alcalde entregó una proclama de apoyo. Jayuya también se distinguió por abrir de par en par sus escuelas modelo, creando un ejemplo de educación liberadora.

La actividad cumbre fue un encuentro en el Museo de Nuestros Mártires con Don Egmidio Marín Pagán, héroe nacionalista puertorriqueño y el combatiente jayuyano más joven, con 15 años, de la Revolución Nacionalista de 1950, según dijeron.

Entretanto, Villanueva dijo que también visitaron el pueblo de Adjuntas, donde fueron recibidos en un emotivo acto por Casa Pueblo, que contó con la presencia de las exprisioneras políticas Alicia Rodríguez, Carmen Valentín y Clarisa López, hija de Oscar López Rivera. Allí los caminantes entregaron 33 árboles para la recuperación del bosque recién quemado por manos criminales y que servirá para reemplazar los que para la década del 90 habían sembrado los hijos de los ex presos políticos excarcelados en el 1999. Alexis Massol significó que la lucha ecológica es también una lucha por la libertad de Oscar y Puerto Rico.

Además, detalló que durante el fin de semana recorrieron Yauco, y Maricao, viviendo en ambos pueblos igual de emotivas y significativas experiencias.

Villanueva adelantó que esta semana caminarán por Sabana Grande, San Germán, Las Marías, San Sebastián y Lares. La caminata continuará su recorrido hasta el jueves 29 de mayo, precisamente el día en que se cumplen los 33 años de su encierro.

"Convocamos a todos ese jueves al área de San Patricio Plaza a las 1:30 de la tarde desde donde caminaremos el último tramo hasta el Tribunal de Estados Unidos en Puerto Rico en la avenida Chardón. Allí realizaremos una actividad con mensajes especiales y presentaciones musicales", dijo Villanueva.

Para los detalles de la caminata, tramos, horarios y actividades vean las páginas web y Facebook del Comité pro Derechos Humanos y de 33 en 33 x Oscar.

SALIDA: 9.00 am - Caminantes continúan recorrido desde el sector "La Cantera", entrada a "Los Caños" Carretera PR-140 km. 50.9.

MARCHA DEL PUEBLO: Por razones de seguridad el pueblo se unirá a los Caminantes en el cruce hacia San José, en Rafys Pincho.

Otros puntos donde pueden integrarse: Valle Verde y Fogones.

Los maestros de las escuelas Francisco Frías Morales y Juan Ponce de León pueden integrarse en el Cruce de Cuatro Calles. La caminata continuará hacia FloridaCoop y doblará hacia la izquierda en la calle José de Diego. Luego doblará nuevamente hacia la izquierda en la Calle Muñoz Rivera. En dicha calle, habrá un breve receso para integrar los grupos de la Iglesia Católica y de la Logia Odfélica. Al finalizar caminamos hacia el Parque (frente al Correo).

ACTO CIVICO CULTURAL -11.30 a 12.30 am: en el Parque Recreativo Ramón Montoyo (frente al Correo). El Comité Florida Todos por Oscar, el Alcalde José Gerena Polanco y representantes del Comité Florida Ambiente y Cultura, la Iglesia Católica, Florida Coop, Iglesia Discípulos de Cristo, Logia Odfélica, entre otros, ofrecerán un breve saludo. La Asociación de Maestros de Puerto Rico, capítulo de Florida también coauspicia la actividad. La Banda Escolar de la Escuela Francisco Frías Morales participará en la parte artística.

UNETE A ESTA CAUSA HUMANITARIA.

1.NY Coordinator to Free Oscar López Rivera 

National Boricua Human Rights Network 

Comite de Derecho Humanos de Puerto Rico 

2.El Maestro, Inc

3.La Fundación Andres Figueroa

4.33 Mujeres NYC X Oscar 

5.Partido Nacionalista Puertorriqueño de NYC

6.33 Estudiantes X Oscar

7.Puerto Rican Student Organization-Hostos Community College and Lehman College

8.Hip Hop Theory-33 Artistas de hiphop X Oscar

9.Revolutionary Student for Change

10.33 Pleneros X Oscar

11.CAMARADA

12.33 hombres XOscar 

13.Comité de Puerto Rico en la ONU

14.Resistance in Brooklyn (Solidarity groups) 

15.33 deportistas X Oscar 

16.El Coqui Boxing Center 

17.Corsi House Senior Citizen Center

18.Union 1199

19.32BJ-Union

20.Jericho

21.Pro-Libertad 

22.Centro Clemente Soto Velez

23.Iglesia Lutherana de Brooklyn

24.El Puente Centro de Williamsburg, Bklyn

25.   Socialist Workers Party

by David Thibault-Munoz, National Boricua Human Rights Network New England    

In an effort to raise consciousness surrounding the struggle to free Puerto Rican patriot Oscar Lopez-Rivera from the shackles of U.S. colonialism, National Boricua New England invited Puerto Rican patriot and former political prisoner Ricardo Jimenez to tour Massachusetts, along with renowned poet and activist Michael Reyes-Benavides.  Reyes performed hip hop-style poetry written about and dedicated to Oscar Lopez-Rivera and about our beloved revolutionary Lolita Lebron, along with performing scenes from the play Crimes Against Humanity, which he co-wrote in conjunction with more than a dozen former and current Puerto Rican political prisoners.  Three days in a row, in Worcester, Holyoke and Fitchburg, Ricardo followed Michaels's performance with his own story in relation to Oscar Lopez-Rivera and with a call to action: that we demand President Barak Obama grant executive clemency to Oscar Lopez-Rivera before leaving office in two years.  National Boricua Human Rights Network New England mobilized more than one hundred participants to its events on Friday, May 16th, Saturday, May 17th and Sunday, May 18th.