Oscar López Rivera: Between Torture and Resistance

The story of Puerto Rican leader Oscar López Rivera is one of courage, valor, and sacrifice. A decorated Viet Nam veteran and well-respected community activist, López Rivera now holds the distinction of being one of the longest held political prisoners in the world. Behind bars since 1981, López Rivera was convicted of the thought-crime of "seditious conspiracy," and never accused of causing anyone harm or of taking a life. This book is a unique introduction to his story and struggle, based on letters between him and the renowned lawyer, sociologist, educator, and activist Luis Nieves Falcón.

In photographs, reproductions of his paintings, and graphic content, Oscar's life is made strikingly accessible--so all can understand why this man has been deemed dangerous to the U.S. government. His ongoing fight for freedom, for his people and for himself (his release date is 2027, when he will be 84 years old), is detailed in chapters which share the life of a Latino child growing up in the small towns of Puerto Rico and the big cities of the U.S. It tells of his emergence as a community activist, of his life underground, and of his years in prison. Most importantly, it points the way forward.

With a vivid assessment of the ongoing colonial relationship between the U.S. and Puerto Rico, it provides tools for working for López Rivera's release--an essential ingredient if U.S.-Latin American relations, both domestically and internationally, have any chance of improvement. Between Torture and Resistance tells a sad tale of human rights abuses in the U.S. which are largely unreported. But it is also a story of hope--that there is beauty and strength in resistance.

"In spite of the fact that here the silence from outside is more painful than the solitude inside the cave, the song of a bird or the sound of a cicada always reaches me to awaken my faith and keep me going." --Oscar López Rivera

Oscar López Rivera is a Puerto Rican Nationalist who was convicted and sentenced to 70 years in prison for seditious conspiracy, armed robbery, and other various offenses and now holds the distinction of being one of the longest-held political prisoners in the world. His projected release date is in 2027. Luis Nieves Falcón is a renowned lawyer, psychologist, and sociologist, as well as a professor emeritus of the University of Puerto Rico and a longtime advocate for Puerto Rican human rights. His recent books include A Century of Political Repression in Puerto Rico: 1898-1998 and The Light from the Window: Conversations with Filiberto Ojeda Rios. He lives in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Archbishop Desmond Tutu is Archbishop Emeritus of the Anglican Church of South Africa and the recipient of the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize. Archbishop Tutu has long spoken out for human rights for all, and for the release of all political prisoners. He currently chairs The Elders, a group committed to dealing with the world's most intractable challenges and whose members include Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, and Mary Robinson. Matt Meyer is the author and editor of six books, including Guns and Gandhi in Africa and Let Freedom Ring: A Collection of Documents from the Movements to Free U.S. Political Prisoners. He is an educator who has served as national chair for both the War Resisters League and the Peace and Justice Studies Association. He lives in Brooklyn, New York. Rev. Nozomi Ikuta is the pastor of Denison Avenue United Church of Christ.