ACLU-PR, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, Amnesty International-PR, Power 4 Puerto Rico, Grassroots Leaders Demand Investigation, Oversight and Accountability in Response to Environmental Activists Being Shot at and Injured in Puerto Rico
February 2nd, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ACLU-PR, LATINOJUSTICE PRLDEF, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL-PR, POWER 4 PUERTO RICO, GRASSROOTS LEADERS DEMAND INVESTIGATION, OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN RESPONSE TO ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS BEING SHOT AT AND INJURED IN PUERTO RICO
WASHINGTON, DC – In response to private security guards shooting and wounding environmental activists in Puerto Rico, leaders from protest camps and advocacy, civil and human rights groups today denounced the use of lethal force and called for a thorough investigation, accountability and checks on private security guards —who are supposed to be regulated by Puerto Rico’s Police Department— for violating the rights of protestors.
“Multiple bullets were fired. The bullet that hit my partner was from a 9mm FC Luger. These bullets fragment on impact to form a star. This caused a small entering wound and a large exit wound. He was also grazed by another one of these bullets as well as hit with 2 pellets and 1 rubber bullet. After examining the walls where the bullets hit and the videos of the shooters (between two and three), it appears that these bullets were directly fired at the heads of the unarmed protesters,” said Laura S. Nazario Lameiro, President of Campamento Carey Inc.
“The shooting of an environmental activist by private security guards protecting an illegal construction site that threatens the community and the environment is the latest escalation in Puerto Rico’s police supporting private developers over the public interest—and the law. This particular site, like others, has already been declared illegal due to the fact that it is located on top of a sensitive cave system. Public beaches and other historic sites are being encroached by wealthy interests who are flouting the law —with the current government’s support. How can the island’s government declare these construction sites as illegal while also sending police to protect the developers who are breaking the law?” Power 4 Puerto Rico Director Erica González said.
Last Sunday, private security guards fired live rounds and injured at least one civilian of several environmental activists protesting the continued illegal construction at Las Golondrinas cave in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, a natural resource and historic site with a delicate ecosystem. The local district attorney confirmed that the injured protester was hit by a live bullet.
Police and private security aggression towards protestors is not an isolated case here. Rampant illegal construction by private developers at protected historic and wildlife sites has been taking place throughout municipalities in Puerto Rico with no aggressive oversight and little to no accountability. Because of this, residents have set up protest camps, including in Arecibo, Rincón, and Aguadilla, which police and private security forces have responded to with a heavy presence and often excessive force. The latest incident of bullets being fired by private security —with a heavy police presence backing them — is escalated and lethal aggression. And it comes after a video circulated of a private guard, masked, attacking an activist.. “As an organization founded to defend the rights of Puerto Ricans in the archipelago and the states, LatinoJustice stands with the people of Aguadilla and all those who are defending with their bodies the right to preserve lands held in public trust and Puerto Rico’s natural resources, el patrimonio nacional. We are working closely with allies in the archipelago to use every legal tool available in defense of the fundamental rights of Puerto Ricans to defend and protect what is rightfully theirs, under their laws and constitution, as well as under international human rights laws,” said Lía Fiol-Matta, Senior Counsel, LatinoJustice PRLDEF.
“Amnesty International has witnessed, through our team of Observers, the press and independent media, the hypervigilance by authorities in environmental protests in Puerto Rico. We have been witnesses to the arbitrary arrests and the exaggerated presence of police and tactical units with riot gear in public beaches with families and people enjoying our marvelous natural resources. We have seen the use of pepper spray, physical violence, shoving and hitting protesters with night sticks. FINALLY, and where the government must draw the line, we have borne witness to the use of lethal weapons against individuals who were protesting an illegal construction on top of the Golondrinas Cave in Aguadilla,” said Liza Gallardo, Amnesty International Puerto Rico Chapter Executive Director.
“Puerto Rico is governed by oligarchs. The same ones behind the Commonwealth’s bankruptcy, the Control Board and the infamous PROMESA law. The Puerto Rico Police Department's obligation is to guarantee the freedom of speech and the right to protest of the people. Instead, Puerto Rico Police have been serving the special interests of these powerful people while they destroy our natural wealth and resources. During the shootings, the police looked to the other side. What happened in Aguadilla is the best example of the failure of the Puerto Rico police reform,” said Fermín Arraiza, ACLU Puerto Rico Legal Director.
“The communities standing up for their rights need to be protected, not fired at by private mercenary forces supported by cops. Who gave the order to shoot? Who gave the order for police to repel protesters instead of the armed goons firing at activists? We need accountability and the full weight of the law to descend upon law-breaking developers and security officials - not the community activists defending their rights. The US Department of Justice has a court-enforced consent decree to oversee the Puerto Rico Police Department. Where is the oversight?,” said Federico A. de Jesús, Senior Advisor, Power 4 Puerto Rico Coalition.
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LatinoJustice PRLDEF works to create a more just society by using and challenging the rule of law to secure transformative, equitable and accessible justice, by empowering our community and by fostering leadership through advocacy and education. For 50 years, LatinoJustice PRLDEF has acted as an advocate against injustices throughout the country. To learn more about LatinoJustice, visit www.LatinoJustice.org