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2 Writings / Books / Speeches 3 Quotes 4 External links 5 References |
Biography
Berríos was born in Aibonito, Puerto Rico. He received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Economy from Georgetown University in 1961, his Juris Doctor and Master's Degree in Law from Yale, and his doctoral degree in International Rights from Oxford University. He was also a law professor for the University of Puerto Rico from 1967 to 1971.
As a lawyer, Berrios is the only man in Puerto Rican history to be acredited by the international court.
Berrios became president of the PIP when he was 31 years old and has been president of it five times. Under his leadership, the PIP adopted a democratic socialism program. Although he has had little success at the voting booth, he ran for Governor of Puerto Rico in 1972, 1976, 1980, 1988, and 2000; losing all times to either the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) or the New Progressive Party (PNP) candidate.
In 1972, he is elected as Senator for the first time. He later returns to the Legislative Assembly in 1984, 1992, and 1996.
Berrios founded the Permanent Conference of Political Parties of Latin America and the Caribbean (COPPPAL), is a member of the Executive Council of the Latin American Human Rights Association (ALDHU), and Honorary President of the Socialist International (SI). [1] [1] [1]
He has published the books The Independence of Puerto Rico: Cause and Struggle, Puerto Rico: Nationality and Plebiscite, and Towards the Puerto Rican Socialism, and has colaborated with various publications of international prestige like Foreign Affairs.
Berrios is widely admired by many people in Puerto Rico, including those who don't follow his ideology. Proof of this is that he ran for Senator in 1984 and received 84% of the general vote.
In 1971, Berrios led Navy-Culebra protests against the United States Navy's use of the island of Culebra, Puerto Rico. He squatted in the Flamenco beach for 3 days, until he was arrested and imprisoned for three months in jail. As a consequence of his imprisonment, he is expulsed from his professorship in the University of Puerto Rico School of Law.
Because of the efforts of Berrios and others, the U.S. Navy abandoned its facilities in Culebra.
In May 8, 1999 Berrios began camping inside the U.S. Navy bombing practice grounds in the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico (see Navy-Vieques protests). He stayed in the Gilberto Concepción de Gracia encampment —baptized in honor of the PIP founder— for 362 days in an uninterrupted manner; even when the encampment was devastated by storms, and when his health was seriously affected after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. For more than six months, his home was a camping tent; later substitued for a small wood structure.
On December of 1990, he resigns to his Senate seat, because of the uncertained prolongation of his stay in the encampment.
In May 4, 2000 the encampments are evacuated by federal marshalls and United States Marines; Berrios' arrest was televised nationally in Puerto Rico. The United States marshal that conducted the arrest offered a handshake to Berrios when he presented himself. Berrios stayed in shock for a few seconds. Looking at the marshal's extended hand, he rapidly recovered himself and extended his own hand. Both men saluted themselves peacefully. His arrest was symbolic, as he was handcuffed loosely to not squeeze his wrists. The importance of the event was the portray of two gentlemen doing what they must do, respecting each other's different and contrasting ideologies, and responsabilities.
Five days later, Berrios reenters the target practice grounds, but this time he is judged by the federal tribune and sentenced to four hours of detention. Similarly to what he did in Culebra 30 years before, Berrios didn't recognize the jurisdiction of the American judicial forum in Puerto Rico, and din't present any defense whatsoever. A few days later, he publicly anounces his cancer suffering.
With the continuation of bombing practices by the U.S. Navy, Berrios announced his intention to enter to the restricted grounds for a third time. He stays for 5 days in the target practice area, before being arrested with the other PIP members that accompanied him. This time, convicted for the third time by an American tribune, Berrios is sentenced to four months in prison and set free on August 30, 2001; after the imposed sentence came to its own end.
Because of the efforts of Berrios and many others, the U.S. Navy abandoned its facilities in Vieques on May 1, 2003.
Civil disobedience
Former professions or positions held
Writings / Books / Speeches
Quotes
External links
References