2004 Original Language

None

2010 Proposed Language

Chapter: Democracy

Section Title: Foreign Policy

Subsection Title: Puerto Rican Independence

Submitted 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>

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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.