WHEREAS:
The island municipality of Vieques, Puerto Rico has been used for 30 years for target practices by the U.S. Navy and other countries; and
WHEREAS:
The island is populated by more than 9,000 Puerto Ricans, U.S. citizens who are submitted to the disgrace of seeing their territory bombarded by island, air and sea; and
WHEREAS:
Last year a civilian Viequense was killed, the victim of a near-miss by the Navy, when a bomb missed its target. This accident may be added to the rest of the near-misses by the U.S. Navy, which permanently puts the lives of Vieques residents at risk; and
WHEREAS:
The bombing and military practices in Vieques have created a series of health hazards for residents of that island, including a very high incidence of cancer; and
WHEREAS:
The bombing and military practices in Vieques have also caused serious problems of environmental contamination, which has harmed flora and fauna of the island, some of these in danger of extinction; and
WHEREAS:
The contamination of the waters and the harm suffered by sea animals have caused a decline in the fishing industry, one of the most important sources of income for the population of the island municipality; and
WHEREAS:
The People of Vieques have unanimously demanded that the U.S. navy cease its bombing and leave the island; and
WHEREAS:
The Puerto Rico Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO) actively supports the people of Vieques' struggle and has participated and organized diverse activities seeking the removal of the U.S. Navy, and
WHEREAS:
The entire Puerto Rico labor movement has expressed its support of the people of Vieques, as have the churches, civic and professional organizations which have unanimously recommended the end of all bombings of Vieques and the immediate exit by the U.S. Navy.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That AFSCME express our support of the people of Vieques and Puerto Rico in their struggle to live in peace, to stop U.S. Navy bombing and to have its immediate and permanent removal from the island municipality; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME support the firm position taken by the Puerto Rico Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, the Puerto Rican working class and the general public in support of the struggle of the people of Vieques; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME request that the President of the U.S., Bill Clinton, order the permanent end of bombing of Vieques and the removal of the U.S. Navy from that Puerto Rican island; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
That AFSCME demand that the U.S. Navy make reparations for the destruction of the environment that it has caused and assist in the social and economic development of the people of Vieques.
SUBMITTED BY:
Casandra Cox, President
Jeannette Pringle, Secretary and Delegate
AFSCME Council 1707Magda DeJesus, President and Delegate
AFSCME Local 1219, Council 37Santos Crespo, Executive Vice President and Delegate
AFSCME Local 372, Council 37New York