Release Oscar López Rivera
Join us in calling for
the release of Oscar López Rivera, our brother in faith who continues to serve
an extraordinary and unfair sentence for his political beliefs.
Background:
Oscar López Rivera is
a Puerto Rican nationalist who advocated for Puerto Rico’s independence from
the United States. In 1981, he was
accused by the U.S. government of sedition and conspiracy, and was convicted
and sentenced to 70 years in prison. He
was never accused or convicted of any violent crime. He has spent 31 years in federal prison, 12
years of which have been spent in complete isolation.
Oscar López Rivera met
all the requirements for parole, but his parole was denied by the U.S. Parole
Commission in 2011. The Board formally
stated, “Deny parole. Continue to a 15-year reconsideration hearing in January
2026 or continue to expiration, whichever comes first.” A subsequent appeal was also denied, in a
direct contradiction of the Commission’s own policies.
In 1999, President
Clinton commuted the sentences of 16 Puerto Rican nationalists, with the
support of thousands of political and religious leaders throughout the world,
and with the full support of the Puerto Rican people. In particular, Oscar López Rivera has been
cited by Nobel laureates and by President Clinton himself as having received an
egregious and disproportionate sentence.
Oscar rejected clemency because it would have kept him under justice
control in what he called “a prison outside of prison.” He wrote:
“I don’t have any blood on my hands.
I haven’t victimized anyone. I’ve
devoted most of my life serving a just and noble cause and struggling to help
make this world a better and more just one.”
He is now scheduled to remain in prison for what is, essentially, life
without parole.
The United Church of
Christ long ago joined the National Boricua Human Rights Network, Interfaith
Prisoners of Conscience and the Comité Pro Derechose Humanos in Puerto Rico in
continuing to call for his immediate release.
We will press for Oscar’s freedom, and ask that you join this effort
through letters to President Barack Obama.
Thank you for your
faithful support. We remain resolved
that Oscar will be free.
Learn more.
Take Action:
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Personalize the message text on the right with your own words, if you wish.
- Complete the form below with your information.
- Click the Send Message button to send your letter to these decision makers:
- President Joseph 'Joe' R. Biden
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Regarding Oscar López Rivera: 87651-024, FCI Terre Haute
Dear [Decision Maker],
*
Sincerely,
[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State ZIP] [Your Email]
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