In the next couple of weeks, a lot of changes are going to be made within the United States. As Presient-elect Donald Trump is gearing up to take over the White House, many people are scared and not ready to see the new regime take over. Due to his upcoming inauguration, thousands of people are calling on President Obama to free a political prisoner before its too late.
According to Latina, thousands are calling on President Barack Obama to use his final days in office to free Puerto Rican revolutionary Oscar Lopez Rivera. The 73-year-old has been behind bars for 35 years and is among the longest-held political prisoners in U.S. history.
“Mr. President, throughout your presidential term, the people of Puerto Rico have united behind one common cause; the freedom of Oscar López Rivera,” Swedish politicians told Obama in a letter. “As your administration is winding down you and only you have the opportunity to allow Oscar López Rivera to live out the final part of his life in his homeland with his family.”
Many Puerto Rican celebrites are also calling for Rivera's release. Stars like Ricky Martin, Calle 13's Residente and Ana Ortiz have banded together as well as Puerto Rican governor Ricardo Rosselló has asked the president that López Rivera be pardoned.
“Due to Mr. López’s age, health condition, and desire to return home, we believe he should be pardoned for the crimes he committed. Oscar López has already spent 35 years in federal prison for nonviolent offenses,” Rosselló wrote Obama in a letter. “Although the charges against him are very serious, so are our compassion and mercy.”
A petition on the White House website has exceeded the 100 thousand signatures needed to receive a response, and a "Flood the White House" call-in and social media drive is scheduled for Friday. If you are interested in taking part in helping the cause in freeing the political prisoner, call or email the White House at 202-456-1111 or president@whitehouse.gov, respectively, and/or tweet at @POTUS.
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