Tribute paid to martyred Puerto Rican fighter

The September 23 Pro-Independence Network (SPIN) sponsored a spirited political and cultural program to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the FBI assassination of Filiberto Ojeda Ríos, the beloved leader of the Ejército Popular Boricua—Macheteros or the Puerto Rican Popular Army—Cane Cutters. The program took place at the El Maestro Cultural Center in the Bronx, New York City.

Antonio Camacho Negrón WW photo: Monica Moorehead

The Macheteros have been steadfast fighters for Puerto Rican independence against U.S. imperialism for several decades. The FBI shot the unarmed Ojeda Ríos on Sept. 23, 2005, and denied him access to any medical attention for hours. He eventually bled to death with his spouse, Elma Beatriz Rosado, at his side.

The program also acknowledged the 138th anniversary of El Grito de Lares or the Battle of Lares. On Sept. 23, 1868, the Puerto Rican town of Lares was briefly taken over by independence forces battling their Spanish oppressors. Even though these forces were eventually militarily defeated by Spain, Sept. 23 is officially recognized as the day that the Republic of Puerto Rico was declared a nation.

This year’s Sept. 23 program began with a recorded speech by Ojeda Ríos. Alice Hernández, a leader of SPIN, chaired the meeting. One guest speaker, Antonio Camacho Negrón—a longtime fighter for Puerto Rican independence who was recently released from a U.S. federal prison—received a warm standing ovation from the overflowing crowd of mainly Latin@s.  

Another guest speaker was Ismael Guadalupe, a leader of the successful movement to get the U.S. Navy out of the Puerto Rican island of Vieques. Long time pro-independence activist Frank Velgaro paid tribute to Jorge Farinacci García, a leader of the Puerto Rican Socialist Front, who recently died from cancer. Cultural performances included music, dance and spoken word.