Carlos Alberto Torres/Avelino/March Women's Event

Parole Campaign for Carlos Alberto Torres

We have 906; we need 94 more to make our goal! SIGN THIS PETITION AND FORWARD IT OUT TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY! CARLOS ALBERTO TORRES NEEDS OUR SUPPORT!

Puerto Rican Political Prisoner Carlos Alberto Torres: Parole Hearing
On January 19, 2010, Carlos Alberto Torres attended a video hearing presided over by
a U.S. Parole Commission hearing examiner whose task was to consider the
disciplinary charges stemming from last January, and to make a recommendation for
what should happen with respect to his request to be released on parole. Carlos
Alberto answered the questions posed, and his attorney Jan Susler asked that the
Parole Commission release him on parole as previously recommended, regardless of the
wrongful charges. She pointed out the vast, ongoing support for his release, and
argued that there is absolutely no risk in releasing him, as evidenced by the
impressive example of his compatriots who were released by presidential commutation
in 1999. The hearing examiner then made a favorable recommendation. The Parole
Commission will make the final decision, hopefully within the next 30 days.

The ProLibertad Freedom Campaign is launching a 30 day online petition campaign! We
want 1000 people to sign our petition within the next 30 days showing their support
for Carlos Alberto Torres.

At the end of the thirty days the petition will be mailed to the Parole Commissioner.

Sign this petition and forward it out to everyone you know!
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/Parole4CarlosAlberto/


Man Pleads Guilty In 1983 Wells Fargo Robbery

By EDMUND H. MAHONY
The Hartford Courant
4:34 PM EST, February 5, 2010
HARTFORD

A key figure in the $7.1 million Wells Fargo robbery in West Hartford nearly three
decades ago abruptly pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to charges that include
smuggling the money out of the country.

Avelino Gonzalez-Claudio, 67, was a leader and strategist of Los Macheteros, a
militant, Puerto Rico pro-independence group. In the 1970s and '80s, the group
claimed responsibility for armed attacks on federal interests in Puerto Rico, two of
which caused the deaths of U.S. military personnel.

Gonzalez-Claudio pleaded guilty Friday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Hartford
to conspiracy to commit robbery and transportation of stolen money out of the
country. Under terms of his plea agreement, he would be sentenced to 7 years in
prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000. Sentencing is scheduled for later this
year.

He has been in prison in Connecticut since the FBI arrested him in 2008 in Puerto
Rico as he drove through the northern coastal city of Manati. While in prison, he
was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and correctional authorities refused to
provide him with medication until last month, said his lawyer, James Bergenn. In
court, Gonzalez-Claudio appeared gaunt and emaciated, and the disease had taken such
hold that he was barely able to speak.

Documents seized by the FBI showed that Macheteros planned to use the stolen
millions to finance the violent overthrow of the U.S. government in Puerto Rico and
to support leftist insurgencies elsewhere in Latin America.

Los Macheteros recruited a young college drop-out from Hartford, Victor Gerena, to
be its inside man in the Sept. 12, 1983, Wells Fargo robbery. Gerena obtained a job
as a Wells Fargo guard, overpowered his co-workers with a pistol, injected them with
a narcotic to incapacitate them, and helped stuff the cash into a battered sedan
which was driven to the depot by fellow Macheteros.

Gonzalez-Claudio and other Macheteros were accused, among other things, of hiding
the cash behind hollow walls in a used motor home and driving the money, in two
trips, to Mexico. Wire-tapped conversations, seized documents and other intelligence
shows that most of the stolen money was flown from Mexico to Cuba, where it ended up
under the control of Cuba's president at the time, Fidel Castro.

Agents continue to seek the two remaining Machetero fugitives wanted in connection
with the robbery: Gonzalez-Claudio's brother, Norberto; and Gerena.

Copyright © 2010, The Hartford Courant


CELEBRATING THE REVOLUTIONARY PUERTO RICAN WOMAN!

This Women’s History Month, join The ProLibertad Freedom Campaign as we honor the
contributions of Women to the Puerto Rican independence Movement:

¡QUE VIVA LA MUJER!


Recipients of the Doña Adelfa Vera Award for 2010:
Lourdes Garcia, Activist/Healer/Artisan
Joyce Jones, Artist/Journalist/Activist
Gloria Quinoñes, Activist/ProLibertad Support
Amy Velez, Activist/ProLibertad Supporter


Keynote Speakers:
Yasmin Hernandez, Artist/Activist
Normahiram Perez, Federacion de Maestros Puertorriqueños


Poetry Performance:
Mariposa and Prisionera


Handcrafts and Natural healing products:
Olga Ayala, Handcrafts (Hecho a Mano)
Lourdes Garcia, Botanicafe Products

Proceeds from the Night’s donations will go to the Point’s Program for Young Women


Friday March 19, 2010 at 7pm:
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church 521 W126th St. Basement
Between Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway
Take the 1 train W125th St.

Suggested donation: $5 (no one will be turned away)
LIGHT REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED!

www.ProLibertadWeb.com
ProLibertad@hotmail.com