A federal judge in San Juan, Puerto Rico, recently sentenced four people for protesting near the us navy bombing site on Vieques island. Al Sharpton, a priest, was sentenced for 90 days. The other three Adolfo Carrin, Jos Rivera and Roberto Ramirez, all Puerto Rican politicians, were sentenced for 40 days each. They had been protesting against the us navy's military exercises on Vieques, which the islanders allege are creating health hazards for the local people (see Down To Earth, Vol 10, No 1, May 31, p13). "The court has given a clear message to the people of Puerto Rico that they are going to be given strict punishment if they continue with protests," said Stanley K Schlein, a council for the protesters.
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