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May 25, 2010 Update: Lori Berenson granted parole! Story with links at onthewilderside: here.
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Several updates, as of January 12, 2009
To Friends and Supporters of Lori Berenson
End-of-year Message from Lori
Penal de Huacariz
30 November 2008
Dear friends,
As 2008 and my 13th year in prison come to a close, here I am awaiting my transfer to the maximum security women’s jail in Chorrillos, Lima.
It is indeed sad for me to be leaving Cajamarca after 7 years of beautiful scenery, fresh air and a hospitable community attitude that still prevails to some extent, in spite of the damage done to the “atmosphere” of increased wealth, unaccompanied by local development, due to the presence of giant mining companies.
Although the great mineral wealth is taken out of Cajamarca’s hills, only a small fraction of it trickles down to benefit the area, through the stipulated percentage returned to the local government, additionally to certain jobs temporarily created in the service sector.
The environment met smog, and the water met with many years of contamination with minerals and chemicals. One wonders how bad the contamination of values and of community pride has been.
Worse is to think what will happen once the mineral extraction leaves the hills barren, the water sources contaminated, highways destroyed by the excessively increased transit, when there were and are ways to prevent it.
But, sadly, I will soon leave Cajamarca, due to the need for specialized medical care that I’ll have done once I give birth. My pregnancy is a blessing for me, and motive for much happiness to me and my family.
Although I don’t see the political crisis getting better here, there’s a saying that says “no hay mal que para bien no venga” (there isn’t an evil/bad thing that doesn’t happen for a good reason).
Wishing you all a happy holiday and the best for 2009, for you and our suffered humanity.
In peace,
Lori Berenson
Note: Lori was transferred to Santa Monica de Chorrillos Prison in Lima on the night of 8 January 2009.
LORI IS MOVED BACK TO LIMA FOR MEDICAL CARE
After a 15-hour trip on a public bus, Lori arrived in Lima Friday morning January 9th. She is now in the women’s prison in the Lima suburb of Chorrillos where she had been incarcerated during her civilian trial in 2000 and 2001. Articles on her transfer by AP and Reuters (see www.freelori.org website) appeared in English throughout the US and in English and Spanish around the world. Television coverage http://www.elcomercio.com.pe/ediciononline/HTML/2009-01-09/la-terrorista-lori-berenson-arribo-lima-evitar-riesgo-aborto.html shows the bus arriving in Lima and Lori transported to headquarters for processing. The transfer process went smoothly owing to help from the US Embassy officials in Lima. Now that she is in Lima, Lori will be able to coordinate her prenatal care with orthopedic and pre-surgical care for her back.
Mark will be visiting Lori next weekend.
OTHER GOOD NEWS
We are relieved to learn and thrilled to report that long-time activist Bob Carpenter is alive and well and continues to champion causes of social justice. In our previous Lori Update on December 31 we had reported otherwise. We are grateful that Bob has a good sense of humor!
Mark and Rhoda B.
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English Website: www.freelori.org
Spanish Website: www.lorilibre.org
Filed under: Environment, international politics, News, social & economic justice, US Politics
Did Lori have her baby yet?
How are they doing?
I have not heard very recent updates. But, yes, she had a boy!
Here is a clip from the Free Lori web-site from this past May 2009:
“Lori Has Baby Boy
Despite the odds she faced owing to compromised health after 13.5 years of incarceration in harsh Peruvian prison environments, Lori gave birth Wednesday morning May 6th in Lima.”