CPTnet
August 25, 2002
VIEQUES, PUERTO RICO: Passing on the Flame

by Bob Holmes

Our Christian Peacemaker Team (CPT) delegation was assigned to Station #12
in the six-hour "Relay for Peace in Vieques" which began at Punta Arenas at
the west end of the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. The US Navy occupied
this land in 1940 and members of the families who lost land carried the
torch on the first leg. They passed the flame to young men on horseback, who
passed it to teachers--nineteen exchanges in all passed between unions,
women's groups, and peace groups, including many of the "disobedient ones"
previously arrested for reoccupying the navy bombing range at the east end
of the island. Children of Vieques lit the eternal flame at the Peace and
Justice Camp across from the gate of U.S. Navy Camp Garcia. The organizers
intend it to burn until the Navy leaves Vieques.

As we walked we heard stories of amazing nonviolent resistance. For over a
year there was a scattering of thriving small peace camps amidst the
tank-targets and bomb-debris. A sweep of 2000 armed agents ended this phase
as they arrested over 200 "campers" (including CPTers.) One year later, the
Navy agreed to vacate the west end of the island. However, they left behind
seventeen toxic sites.

The people of Vieques expect bombing to start again in early September.
"Not One More Bomb!" is the message the relay runners delivered to Camp
Garcia. The committee which operates the Peace and Justice Camp and
organized the relay, in which more than a thousand participated, is even now
preparing a new wave of nonviolent intervention to forestall the bombing and
once again reclaim the land.

Although our delegation will be back home by then, the heroes struggling on
the little island of Vieques have lit a flame of solidarity.

CPT Vieques delegation members included
Christy Bischoff (Harrisonburg, VA) Bob Holmes (Toronto, ON), Cliff Kindy
(North Manchester, IN), and Ben Long (Boulder, CO.)