Report from Vieques Peace and Justice Camp

Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques
P.O. Box 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765
Tel. 787 741-0716 Fax 741-0358 E mail: bieke [at] prorescatevieques.org
http://www.prorescatevieques.org http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bieke_pr/

6 February, 2004 Special Report from the Peace and Justice Camp



(Following we share a note prepared and sent by the law firm of John Arthur Eaves, representing more than 6 thousand Viequenses in a legal case against the US Navy for health damages. The note comes to us from Flavio Cumpiano, Esq., Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques representative in Washington, D.C. who works closely with JAE on this case.)



VIEQUES: THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES



The suffering in Vieques continues. The Navy's departure from Vieques did not solve the health crisis and environmental destruction it left behind in Vieques. If the Navy thinks they can skirt their responsibility toward the people of Vieques and the damage the Navy caused simply by leaving the island, the Navy is wrong.

Science reveals intensive contamination in the food and in the environment in Vieques. The people are dying of cancer, diabetes, hypertension and a host of other diseases.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus has demanded that the Secretary of the Navy help the people of Vieques with their health claims against the Navy.

Many others see this as a matter of Hispanic respect citing the way the US citizens of Vieques have been treated versus the way mainland populations have been treated. To many, the treatment of Vieques by the Navy simply smacks of arrogance and environmental racism.

Several Members of Congress have publicly supported the health claims by the people of Vieques. At the same time, Democratic presidential candidates are poised to make this an issue in states where Bush needs some of the Hispanic vote.

The 15 minute video VIEQUES PARADISE LOST details the tragedy that continues in Vieques.

Please take a few moments to watch the video at http://www.viequesparadiselost.com . And let us know if you can help by emailing info [at] viequesparadiselost.com , or forward this on to someone who can.

Thank you.

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