Buried History Part 2: Taking the Fight To Congress
Previously on Buried History: As an independence movement in Puerto Rico falters, two men attempt to take down President Truman while he's staying at Blair House in Washington, DC.
In the aftermath of the failed insurrection and assassination, President Truman offered Puerto Rico a false choice. In 1952, a plebiscite was held in Puerto Rico. A choice was on the ballot: Yes to becoming a Free Associated State/Commonwealth or No and continuing as a colony. Puerto Rico was not given an option to become an actual state or to achieve independence. Although 82% voted in favor, it was seen by the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party as invalid. Many still clamored for independence.
On. March 4, 1979, four people took a train from New York City to Washington, DC. Lolita Lebron, Rafael Cancel Miranda, Andres Figueroa, and Irvin Flores Rodriguez entered the US Capitol building and made their way to the Ladies' Gallery overlooking the floor of the House of Representatives. The House was in the process of debating a proposed immigration bill. Suddenly, the quartet unfurled a Puerto Rican flag, shouted "Viva Puerto Rico libre!" and began shooting. Lolita claims she shot at the ceiling, not trying to hit anyone. But 5 people were wounded in the shoot-out, though all would recover.
The following day, the Insular Police raided the home of Nationalist Party president Pedro Albizu Campos. They had set up on the roof of a Pentecostal church next door to shoot into the house. Bullets and tear gas rained down on the family home. When Campos was arrested and removed, he was unconscious and half-asphyxiated.
At the time, Albizu Campos was under surveillance by the FBI, CIA, and Insular Police. His phones were tapped, his mail was intercepted, and he was watched day and night. Though the FBI report on Albizu Campos ultimately exceeded more than 1 million pages, there was never any evidence he was directly tied to the shooting at the Capitol. Regardless, he was charged with sedition and held in federal custody until 1965. He died shortly after his release.
The four shooters were sentenced to terms that amounted to life sentences. Additionally, they were charged federally with seditious conspiracy. On October 6, 1959, they were found guilty and given an additional 6 years added to their sentences. In 1979, President Carter commuted their sentences, and they returned to Puerto Rico, where a crowd of approximately 5,000 people greeted them at the San Juan International Airport.
Next time on Buried History: Red Shirts Take Wilmington