Anti-ROTC Civil Disobedience Camp at the University of Puerto Rico

Anti-ROTC Civil Disobedience Camp at the University of Puerto Rico

The successful demilitarization struggle of Puerto Rico has extended from Vieques to the University of Puerto Rico to target ROTC programs. On September 15, 2003, a group of students established a permanent civil disobedience camp on the structural foundations of a ROTC building that had been demolished with the intent of erecting a new structure for the military program. Concerned about the use of university monies that go to promote war, contrary to the University’s mission and commitment to an education and culture of peace, the students halted the construction of the building with their presence. For the past three months, the students have braved everything from hostile administration officials and security officers to inclement weather and lack of basic needs like water and electricity. Students, professors, and university employees have remained true to their demilitarization cause and have vowed to remained at the site until they accomplish their goals: namely, the termination of ROTC programs on all UPR campuses and the reassignment of the disputed building to serve a broader sector of the university community.

There have been several meetings with UPR administration officials, including a recent meeting with the president and various ones with the chancellor of the Mayagüez campus. Those meetings, however, have not translated into significant gains.

We urge anti-war activists across the United States to help us disseminate our message. We must fight the insanity of war from every angle, including the recruiting process that the ROTC represents on our college campuses.

To find out more about our struggle and about how we can join forces, you may contact us at the numbers and address below.

In solidarity,

Frente Universitario por la Desmilitarización y la Educación (FUDE)

FUDE_RUM [at] hotmail.com
Isa Rodríguez (787) 594-0730
Ismael Guadalupe (787) 473-1652
Gabriel Quiles (787) 509-5304
Héctor Rosario (787) 538-3117