Decolonization, Hurricanes, and Solidarity: Oscar López Rivera's SoCal Tour

What is it to be a colony in the 21st century?

What is it like to struggle for Puerto Rican independence?

The Puerto Rican people have been a beacon of struggle against colonization for hundreds of years. The present devestation by hurricane Maria can teach us lessons about the historical, political, and economic relations of domination over Puerto Rico, but it also teaches us of the tenacity and self-determination of the Puerto Rican people, as they reclaim education and other spaces. Learn about Puerto Rican struggles for liberation. Oscar López Rivera, a former political prisoner who was freed by former President Obama, will share about his life history and collective strugglefor liberation

The present devestation by hurricane Maria can teach us lessons about the historical, political, and economic relations of domination over Puerto Rico, but it also teaches us of the tenacity and self-determination of the Puerto Rican people, as they reclaim education and other spaces. Learn about Puerto Rican struggles for liberation. Oscar López Rivera, a former political prisoner who was freed by former President Obama, will share about his life history and collective struggle for liberation.

Oscar López Rivera, Puerto Rican patriot and former political prisoner, is coming to Southern California for the first time since his release from prison in May. After serving almost 36 years in prison, his sentence was commuted, as the result of national and international pressure, on Jan. 17, 2017 by Pres. Barack Obama. Oscar is a decorated Vietnam War veteran who has devoted himself to the cause of Puerto Rican independence, to service to the workers, students and other people of Puerto Rico, and to the Puerto Rican diasporic community in the US.