OUR LEADER IS RUBÉN BERRÍOS

Rubén Berríos and Rev. Al Sharpton, leader of the African-American community in the United States. (Photo BAS)

Over a year ago, Rubén Berríos came to Harlem and spoke in our headquarters about what was going on in Vieques. He had stayed on that island in spite his health, for over one year. This man has shown what great leadership is all about.

He said to us that day that he wanted the African-American community to join their brothers and sisters here in the struggle. I told him, if the bombing started we would come.

I know many people said to him they would do things they didn't do. But I was determined that I wanted to keep my word. When I came, Roberto Ramírez, Adolfo Carrión and our own brother, who has been fighting this a long time, José Rivera, we came because we respect and admire the sacrifice made by Rubén Berríos.

He did not know we would come. When he woke up the next morning in here, we met him on the cellblock. Later, we were given 90 days and 40 days, which is nothing compared to some of the time that you served. But the real issue is not 90 days or a 120 days. The real issue is over 60 years they [the US Navy] have been in the island of Vieques.

I told brother Berríos that if I got out of jail first, I would be here when he walked out, because when he walks, he walks with the hopes and dreams of people all over the world with no exceptions.

I am here today, because I want him to know that I did my time in jail, but I am not finished my time in the struggle. Wherever he goes, we go; whatever he says, we say. And the US Navy needs to know that we are with him all the way. Ninety days just got me in shape to be one of Rubén's army members. So, we pledge to stand with him, like Kennedy Jr., Dennis Rivera and other that stand. We will continue to stand. We respect some of the elected official, we respect the Governor, but we know, when it comes to justice and morality, our leader is Rubén Berríos.

In the spirit of…….., we will stand together, because the blood that binds us is thicker than the waters that divide us. And when he goes back, if he goes back to Vieques, we are going back.  Because no jail can stop our fight for freedom.

Thank you, God bless you.