Oscar López Rivera: Between Torture and Resistance

by López Rivera, Osacar; Nieves Falcón, Luis; Tutu, Archbishop Desmond; Meyer, Matt; Ikuta, Rev. Nozomi

• ISBN13: 9781604866858
• ISBN10: 1604866853
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2013-02-14
• Publisher: PM Press

Summary

The story of Puerto Rican leader Oscar López Rivera is one of courage, valour and sacrifice. A decorated Vietnam veteran and respected community activist, López Rivera is one of the longest held political prisoners in the world. Behind bars since 1981, he was convicted of the thought-crime of 'seditious conspiracy', though never accused of harming anyone. Through photographs, reproductions of his paintings and graphic content, Oscar's life is made strikingly accessible as the book tells of his emergence as a community activist, of his life underground, and of his years in prison.

Author Biography

Oscar López Rivera is a Puerto Rican Nationalist who was convicted and sentenced to 70 years in prison for seditious conspiracy, armed robbery, and other various offenses and now holds the distinction of being one of the longest-held political prisoners in the world. His projected release date is in 2027. Luis Nieves Falcón is a renowned lawyer, psychologist, and sociologist, as well as a professor emeritus of the University of Puerto Rico and a longtime advocate for Puerto Rican human rights. His recent books include A Century of Political Repression in Puerto Rico: 1898–1998 and The Light from the Window: Conversations with Filiberto Ojeda Rios. He lives in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Archbishop Desmond Tutu is Archbishop Emeritus of the Anglican Church of South Africa and the recipient of the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize. Archbishop Tutu has long spoken out for human rights for all, and for the release of all political prisoners. He currently chairs The Elders, a group committed to dealing with the world’s most intractable challenges and whose members include Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, and Mary Robinson. Matt Meyer is the author and editor of six books, including Guns and Gandhi in Africa and Let Freedom Ring: A Collection of Documents from the Movements to Free U.S. Political Prisoners. He is an educator who has served as national chair for both the War Resisters League and the Peace and Justice Studies Association. He lives in Brooklyn, New York. Rev. Nozomi Ikuta is the pastor of Denison Avenue United Church of Christ.