Vieques Protester Freed
A Puerto Rican senator was released from a federal detention center Saturday after serving a 40-day sentence for trespassing on military land to protest U.S. Navy bombing on the island of Vieques.
Norma Burgos, who favors U.S. statehood for Puerto Rico, was greeted by dozens of well-wishers outside the detention center in suburban Guaynabo.
“I thank you deeply for your support, that you have understood what I want for Puerto Rico, because I love this country too much to allow it to be mistreated or for its people to be mistreated,” said Burgos.
In July, U.S. District Judge Hector Laffitte imposed a 40-day sentence on Burgos, saying that as a lawmaker she set a dangerous example. Laffitte then added 20 days, but the extra time was thrown out by an appeals court.
Actor Edward James Olmos was sentenced Friday to 20 days for trespassing on Vieques.
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