The U.S. military has continued the use of live-fire training
on Vieques. How could that possibly happen? Because Puerto Rico
has no voice in Congress.
Puerto Ricans proudly serve in the United States military
and have fought in battlefields around the world defending the
freedoms and privileges that accompany U.S. citizenship. Currently,
there are more than 11,000 Puerto Rican National Guardsmen serving
our nation. It is ironic that these Americans are denied the
very rights they risk their lives preserving for others.
Why does the issue become so complicated when Puerto Rican
citizens are accidentally killed? Because Puerto Ricans have
no voice in Congress and are at the mercy of elected officials
for whom we cannot vote. Alcides Ortiz, executive director
of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration. Chicago
Tribune
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