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Esta página no está disponible en español. PRWOW News ServiceSerrano Realizes "Political And Judicial Inferiority" Of CommonwealthBy Proviana Colon Diaz
December 11, 2001 A four-month prison sentence at the Federal Detention Center in Guaynabo was enough to make Vieques Popular Democratic Party (PDP) Mayor Damaso Serrano realize the "political and judicial inferiority" of the commonwealth. "Our imprisonment reveals and makes clear the state of the law of our country. The federal court in Puerto Rico reminds us each time who rules in Puerto Rico, and many times they shove our political and judiciary inferiority in our face," Serrano said. Although he did say he is still a commonwealth supporter and a PDP member, he admitted that the system is not perfect. "I am a commonwealth supporter, but at this precise moment, I am not blind, and on the other hand, I understand that within that commonwealth, which everybody knows is not perfect, we can also achieve the ousting of the U.S. Navy from Vieques," Serrano said. Quoting the island's top nationalist leader, Pedro Albizu Campos, Serrano defended his decision to engage in civil disobedience, as it was his duty to "safeguard" Vieques from the "contamination and danger" posed by the presence of the Navy in the municipality. "We don't commit a crime when we defend our island. The crime would have been not to defend it. To allow for its integrity and ecology to be destroyed is a cowardly act that I, as Vieques mayor, am not willing to pardon," Serrano said. Serrano made his statements outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, where the anti-Navy group "All of Puerto Rico with Vieques" held an activity in support of the completion of the mayor's prison sentence. Despite the sentence imposed to Serrano for one count of trespassing, a misdemeanor that states a maximum prison sentence of six months or a $500 fine, the mayor said he would not think twice of engaging in civil disobedience again if military practices resume on the island. Such affirmation got an immediate applause from the hundreds of demonstrators who attended the activity. The first-time mayor said "civil disobedience" is "responsible" for the achievements earned in the demand for the ousting of the Navy from Vieques. Following his address to the crowd, Serrano said in an impromptu press conference with the media that once military practices are announced, he will be calling for acts of massive civil disobedience in Vieques from Puerto Rico residents. Accompanied by his wife and kids, the mayor left the Federal Metropolitan Center around 8:57 a.m., when he was immediately greeted by Vieques fisherman Carlos Zenon and Nationalist leader Lolita Lebron outside the gate. Wearing a burgundy long-sleeve shirt, a 15-pound lighter mayor smiled and greeted the crowd that had gathered around the prison. Prominent political figures, such as Senate President Antonio Fas Alzamora, House Speaker Carlos Vizcarrondo, New Progressive Party Sen. Norma Burgos, as well as Puerto Rican Independence Party Sen. Fernando Martin, awaited Serrano's release. Also present outside the prison were PDP Mayors Association President Jose Aponte and 16 fellow mayors. The great absence, however, was Gov. Sila Calderon, who sent Vieques Special Commissioner Juan Fernandez to represent her. Although most of the leaders present criticized Calderon's action, Serrano said he spoke to her immediately after leaving prison. Furthermore, Serrano said he was satisfied with Calderon's action in regards to Vieques, but the efforts to get an executive order from President George W. Bush for the ousting of the Navy should continue. "In my opinion, it is not an issue of whether enough has been done, because there is never enough that can be done, but I understand that in regards to Vieques, she is totally committed to the cause," Serrano said. Serrano added that he would meet with Calderon most likely this week to discuss several aspects of Vieques, including the possibility of a meeting with Bush. When asked, however, how that meeting would be arranged, Serrano acknowledged that a plan to achieve such reunion was yet to be made, but he assumed that he would meet with the president's advisor for Hispanic affairs, Ruben Barrales, prior to meeting with Bush.
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