Fight Back! News

News and Views from the People's Struggle

judge hogan

By staff

Washington D.C. – Ricardo Palmera, a Colombian revolutionary and political prisoner held in solitary confinement by George Bush and the U.S. government, goes on trial for a second time on March 26. The first time, Palmera won a big victory when Judge Hogan was forced to declare a mistrial. Some of the American jurors found professor Palmera’s personal testimony convincing and failed to agree on a verdict. Not satisfied with this outcome, the Bush administration is trying Palmera again for the same charges.

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By staff

Washington D.C. – Colombian revolutionary Ricardo Palmera will go on trial for a second time in early June. The National Committee to Free Ricardo Palmera is calling for a protest to demand his immediate release on June 4 at the D.C. Federal Court Building to coincide with the opening day of arguments in his case. Palmera’s supporters will then pack the courtroom.

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By staff

Protesters with fists and signs

Washington D.C. – The chant “Free Ricardo Palmera! Hands off Colombia!” rang out in front of the Federal Courthouse here, June 4, as members of the National Committee to Free Ricardo Palmera held a picket line to demand his release. The picket line coincided with the onset of Palmera’s second trial. Members of Students for a Democratic Society from Asheville, North Carolina and the Colombian Action Network participated in the protest.

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By staff

Washington D.C. – The Bush administration is continuing legal action against Colombian revolutionary Ricardo Palmera. Another trial will start here Aug. 20. The National Committee to Free Ricardo Palmera is calling a protest at the D.C. Federal Court Building to demand Palmera’s immediate release. Professor Palmera’s supporters plan to picket the courts prior to jury selection.

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By staff

Woman talking on bullhorn

Washington D.C. – Protesters from eight U.S. states gathered here at the start of a new trial for Colombian revolutionary Ricardo Palmera, Aug. 20. The protesters chanted, “Free Ricardo Palmera! Stop Plan Colombia!” and “The people of Colombia are under attack. What do we do? Stand up, fight back!” The activists then proceeded into the Washington D.C. Federal Court building.

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By staff

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the National Committee to Free Ricardo Palmera. We urge all our readers to support this campaign.

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By Angela Denio

Washington D.C. – Professor Palmera appeared calm and confident as he entered the courtroom in an orange prison jumpsuit, Jan. 28. He listened with interest as U.S. prosecutor Ken Kohl repeatedly called him a ‘terrorist’ as he argued that Palmera should receive a life sentence.

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By Freedom Road Socialist Organization

President Bush and the U.S. government slapped the Colombian people in the face by imposing a 60-year prison term upon Colombian revolutionary Ricardo Palmera. Ricardo Palmera is a hero of the Colombian people. He has dedicated his entire life to the struggle of peasants and workers. He is responsible for negotiating peace processes and humanitarian prisoner exchanges on behalf of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army (FARC) and was seized in Ecuador on such a mission.

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