ACLU rips officials for citing 'terrorism' in general strike - Puerto Rico Daily Sun - 08/10/09

Their remarks came after Victor Rodríguez, head of the Truckers Front, said the union will paralyze the ports and airports. But he said later that truckers will meet in an assembly on Oct. 15 but will not block entrances to the ports. At the assembly, the truckers will decide what would be their role after the work stoppage.

Ramírez said that if all the truckers do on Oct. 15 is not work and, therefore, put a stop to the flow of goods, that would not constitute a criminal violation -- much less terrorism. He noted that all crimes have an element of intent, and in the case of a terrorism the intent is to destabilize the U.S. government. If truckers block the entrance to ports with trucks, then the applicable law is the Traffic Law, he said.

While he did not discount the possibility of truckers breaking a federal statute if they interrupt the flow of operations at the airport or the ports by entering the premises and placing trucks near the facilities, "to say that it constitutes a terrorist act is a giant leap ... and that is not what I have heard Rodríguez say that he plans to do," he said.

Ramírez also expressed concern that comments by La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Marcos Rodríguez Ema regarding the protest could have a chilling effect even though protests are protected as free speech.

Carlos Ala Santiago, an attorney who is fasting to protest the layoffs, said the government should read the Constitution. "There is a lack of legal awareness and [there are) ill intentions, and governments should not lie to the people," he said when asked if the truckers or other organized unions could be charged with terrorism.

Santiago said the Puerto Rico Bar Association's Labor Committee was meeting late Wednesday to discuss alternatives for dismissed public workers. He also said that on Tuesday the bar will hold an event where workers can record their testimony for posterity.

Santiago made his remarks at the Dignity and Solidarity Camp at the Capitol. The Teachers Association also showed up to protest what union President Aida Diaz said was the insensitivity of the government for laying off public workers during an economic recession.

[Not on internet. No link. See hardcopy of the Daily Sun for excellent related stories.]