oscar lopez rivera
has spent the last 31 yrs
of his life wrongfully in the U.S. prisons
separated from his people
and losing his loved ones
including his mother and sister
isolated form torturous conditions
punished for his commitment
to the independence of
puerto rico

a community organizer
decorated vietnam veteran
father and grandfather
to his children and grandchildren
right now
he is serving 70 yr sentence
for what quote on quote
seditious conspiracy
for belonging to an organization
which sought to end U.S. control
over puerto rico
though he was not convicted
of hurting or killing anyone
he has served more time
in prison
than many people
convicted of violent offenses
co-defendants released in 1999 and 2010
became productive
law abiding members of society

let's tell the president to commute
an innocent man's sentence now
human rights begin at home