wfn.org | ABC/USA EXECUTIVE AMONG VIEQUES DETAINEES

[RICH.SCHRAMM@ecunet.org]

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AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS SERVICE
Office of Communication
American Baptist Churches USA
P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851
Phone: (610)768-2077 / Fax: (610)768-2320
Web: www.abc-usa.org
Richard W. Schramm, Director
 E-mail: richard.schramm@abc-usa.org

EXECUTIVE MINISTER AMONG PROTESTERS ARRESTED
DURING VIEQUES CONFRONTATION
 The Rev. Yamina Apolinaris, executive minister of the
Baptist Churches of Puerto Rico, was among 216 protesters
arrested yesterday as U.S. federal agents stormed Vieques
Island off Puerto Rico to clear it for continued military
armaments testing.
 The protesters, about 50 of whom have occupied a
testing range on Vieques for the past year, have demanded
the U.S. Navy cease the bombing tests it has performed on
the island since 1941.  In 1999 a bomb dropped during a
military exercise killed a civilian guard in an observation
post, and many have claimed the long-term testing
additionally has caused a higher rate of cancer and produced
environmental hazards for the 9,300 inhabitants of the
island.
 Apolinaris said today that she had been detained
approximately 12 hours before being released late yesterday
afternoon.  She reported that those arrested had been
handcuffed, exposed to the heat for long periods, subjected
to multiple weapons searches and given only water for most
of the incarceration period.
 "This was a great demonstration of the seriousness of
this cause, but more so of the quality of the people of
Puerto Rico," she said.  The protests involved people "from
all ideologies from the civil and religious life of Puerto
Rico," she reported, adding, "There was not a single act of
violence; the police didn't have to do anything."
 Apolinaris said that a unified ecumenical coalition,
including American Baptists, long has been at the forefront
of the movement to free Vieques from military involvement.
"We are doing obedience to the Gospel, not civil
disobedience," she said.  She encouraged American Baptists
"to continue in prayer" for the situation and to contact
their congresspersons regarding the military actions.  "We
need massive support from the religious community," she
emphasized.
 A resolution passed by the regional board of Baptist
Churches of Puerto Rico last June expressed solidarity with
the people of Vieques and called for the cessation of all
military activities on the island.  At the 1999 Biennial
Meeting later that month delegates affirmed a "Statement of
Concern on Self-Determination for Puerto Rico" which
includes a call to American Baptists as individuals,
congregations and organizations to affirm the actions of
Baptists in Puerto Rico regarding Vieques.
 American Baptist Churches USA General Secretary Daniel
E. Weiss noted: "We need to be in prayer about every aspect
of the crisis in Vieques that continues to threaten the
welfare of the island's people. I especially ask American
Baptists to pray for the Rev. Yamina Apolinaris and the
Baptists in Puerto Rico, who have acted with such admirable
courage and conviction in calling for an end to exercises
that could endanger their fellow citizens."
 "The very real possibility of renewed military
exercises that previously have produced tragedy and
certainly will continue to diminish the quality of life on
the island is a cause for grave concern," Weiss said.
"Many American Baptists in Puerto Rico and across the nation
have spoken out clearly in a call for the U.S. military to
cease all activity on Vieques.  I hope and pray that the
nonviolent but firm message from the protesters and others
will move our military and political leaders to reconsider
this damaging and unnecessary activity."
 The Rev. Hector Cortez, National Ministries' associate
executive director for Biblical Justice, commended the
convictions of Baptists in Puerto Rico and "the courageous
leadership of Yamina Apolinaris, who has conducted the
protests on Vieques with values and a commitment to
nonviolence and peace.  It is clear that the people of
Puerto Rico and Vieques will continue their struggle with
courage and perseverance until this issue is resolved."
Cortez urged "all American Baptists to continue their
prayers and support by calling President Clinton,
encouraging him to redress his direction in support of the
concerns of the people of Vieques and to take steps to see
that the bombing on Vieques does not resume and that
immediate steps begin for the withdrawal of military
presence in Vieques."
 The Rev. Dwight Lundgren, director of Reconciliation
Ministries for National Ministries, added: "It is
inconceivable that a civilian government could not have the
imagination to find a way to fulfill the training
requirements of its military in a way that honored the
rights and needs of a civilian population."
 U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno has announced that
all protest sites have been cleared and that there will be
no charges against the protesters unless they assaulted
federal officers or return to the range.  "All indications
are that the protesters handled themselves in a peaceful and
dignified manner," Reno said.  Pentagon officials stated
yesterday that Navy bombing exercises, using dummy bombs,
were scheduled to resume within two weeks.
 Vieques residents will participate in a referendum (as
yet unscheduled) to determine if the Navy, which currently
controls about 80 percent of the island, should leave there
in 2003.
 For updated information check the American Baptist
News Service page or the National Ministries page (Home
Mission Central/Partners and Programs/Legislative Advocacy)
on the American Baptist Churches USA Website--www.abc-
usa.org.
5/5/00
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