Letter from Puerto Rican Mennonite Church

Dear Mr. Stoltzfus,

Greetings from the Peace and Justice Committee of the Puerto Rico Mennonite Conference.

I am writing to notify the decision made by the delegates of the 53rd Annual PR Mennonite Assembly regarding the conflict in Vieques PR. The delegates decided that they could not longer keep silent to the injustices and oppression experienced by the Viequesnese. It was decided that the Puerto Rico Mennonite Conference will unite with the leaders of Vieques to help stop further mlitary exercises in Vieques, PR.

We are scheduled to meet with the Vieques leaders later this month in order to learn how our congregations can be present during activities planned in Vieques. We acknowledge that we have been slow to react and recognize our silence has supported oppression of our sisters and brothers in Vieques. Our meeting on January 26, 2001 at the Mennonite Summit Hills Church, San Juan PR was a key event for tmembers of our conference. The experiences shared by CPTers helped our members realize the importance of standing up for peace and not letting injustice after injustice continue.

We thank Cliff Kindy and the CPT group for their witness and their commitment to peace in Vieques, PR.

May you continue to find courage and strength to make the vision of peace real.

Peace,

Gilberto Perez, Peace and Justice Coordinator