Since April 1999, when a U.S. Navy F-18 dropped two 500-pound bombs off target, killing civilian David Sanes, the people of Puerto Rico have engaged in massive protest and civil disobedience actions to demand a stop to all bombing in Vieques.  Sixty years ago, 70% of the small island's territory was expropriated by the Navy to use for  "realistic" live fire bombing practice and war exercises involving land, sea and air forces.  Canadian and other navies regularly train in Vieques and the surrounding waters off the east coast of Puerto Rico's main island with U.S. Navy battle groups.

The population of Vieques suffers from high cancer and death rates, heavy metal contamination and other health problems attributed to the use and storage on the island of dangerous toxic substances including depleted uranium, and exposure to high noise levels and sonic booms.  The island's economy once based on farming and fishing has been ravaged, leaving the majority of Vieques' 9,300 residents impoverished and its youth without a future unless the island is demilitarized.

The Navy continues to assert its intention to remain in Vieques indefinitely, claiming U.S. national security is at stake. But Puerto Ricans across the political, social and religious spectrum, including Governor Sila Calderon are united in declaring a resounding NO to this arrogance and abuse.  Over a thousand arrests, jailings, fines and harsh treatment by U.S. authorities have not deterred them from escalating the struggle they are determined to win.   As in the past, the Navy's exercises in April were disrupted by hundreds of people cutting and tearing down the fence around Camp Garcia to enter the firing range as human shields.  Plans are underway for more actions both in Vieques and elsewhere, if the Navy goes ahead with plans to bomb in July.

Windsor Peace Committee
Windsor, Ontario, CANADA