"UNEASY CALM REIGNS AT VIEQUES PROTEST CLAIMS"
("THE SAN JUAN STAR; MONDAY, MAY 1, 2000")
http://www.thesanjuanstar.com
PUERTO RICO IS A COMMONWEALTH OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USC TITLE IV
USC)
"CAMP GARCIA PROTESTERS REMAIN TRANQUIL"
"RUMORS SWEEP THROUGH CAMPS, PROTEST SITES"- By MARTIN GERARD DELFIN and JOHN
MORENO (San Juan Star Staff)
VIEQUES- A quiet calm reigned over the protest camps and at the front gate of
Camp Garcia Sunday as anxious viequenses waited for the possibility of a
military invasion to evict the dozens of demonstrators who are trespassing on
Navy land.
Rumors and speculation as to when the Navy and federal authorities will
besiege the small island swept through the camps and protest sites.
Nevertheless, people didn't appear concerned.
"No one has panicked," said 37-year-old Angel de Leon, who was been holding a
vigil in front of Camp Garcia's gate. "But we are ready for anything."
There were fewer at the gates of the camp than at other times. Protesters said
they expected a larger group later in the evening.
Officials quoted anonymously in various reports over the past few days predict
that the clearing of Camp Garcia in preparation for the resumption of military
exercises will take place sometime this week, as early as this morning.
But the only invasion that took place on Sunday was led by reporters,
photographers and television news crews from national and international media
outlets. These included ABC, NBC, Newsweek, CNN, the Miami Herald, The Voice
of America, Reuters, the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, the Washington Post,
and Agence France Presse.
Moraima Rivera, a 42-year-old agronomist from San Juan who has joined the
protest camps, said that the Ports Authority personnel working on the Vieques
ferries have been called to an early morning meeting, fueling more speculation
of imminent arrests.
Protesters say they expect federal authorities to interfere with ferry and
airplane transportation between Vieques and the main island of Puerto Rico
when the clearing of the range begins.
"This is like the fable of the wolf," said 82 year-old Luisa Guadalupe, who
has joined the protest camp in front of Camp Garcia. "Everyone has seen the
wolf, but when it comes no one is going to believe it."
Protest leaders have been keeping a tight rein as reports of imminent arrests
increase.
They say they don't want too many people on Navy property when the arrests
occur. New additions could cause violence and jeopardize what they say is
their strategy.
All day Sunday, fishing boats ferried passengers and supplies to the
bombing-range camps.
"This is the first chapter; the second one is going to be better," said Magali
Santos, 57, who has joined the protest camp at Mount david out on the Navy
target range. "After they clear us, then the second wave of people will
come."
Protest leader Carlos Zenon, who runs the camp at Monte David, pointed out
Sunday how high vegetation has grown over the last year since military
maneuvers have been put on hold.
The camp, in the heart of the bombing range, is surrounded by unexploded
ordnance.
"We know where the bombs are; they don't," Zenon said. He said the protesters
remained relaxed at the reports of imminent arrests. The protest movement
would not end with them, he promised.
"I don't know if they are coming. I know it will be a big mistake for
President Clinton if they do. Who is going to stop all the Puerto Ricans who
are going to take our place?"
In the front of the gates at camp garcia, protesters watched the local evening
news and played dominos.
"We're ready. We have been ready for 377 days," one potester said, referring
to the time that has passed since the Navy bombing range has been closed.
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