A University of Puerto Rico/Rio Piedras student leader and Union of Socialist Youth activist was sentenced February 22 to one year in prison plus three years probation. Pedro Colón Almenas was convicted September 10 of aggravated assault on a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) official during a demonstration last April 30 at the Rio Piedras ROTC office. Students have long called for the military training program to leave UPR campuses, and the renewed struggle for a free and peaceful Vieques has only amplified this voice.

Hundreds of supporters turned out for his sentencing, and demonstrations at six University campuses across the island brought business to a halt on two. The Rio Piedras academic senate passed a resolution imploring Federal Judge Héctor Laffitte not to imprison Colón Almenas.

But it was clear from the beginning that the Navy and federal prosecutors sought to make an example of Colón Almenas. Even an Army investigator testified that he could not understand why prosecutors sought a charge of aggravated assault after the "small skirmish" that interrupted an otherwise peaceful demonstration.

Colón Almenas was taken to prison while attorneys appeal his conviction.

For more information, contact the Unión de Juventudes Socialistas (UJS-MST), Apartado 22699, Estación UPR, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00931-2699, or visit http://www.bandera.org/pedro/ (in Spanish).

Letters of support should be sent to Pedro Colón Almenas, #22192-069, MDC Guaynabo, POB 2147, San Juan, PR 00922-2147.