Remembering "Lolita" Lebrón

It's been a year since we lost a true model of what a patriot is. Dolores "Lolita" Lebrón, a champion of the independence cause in Puerto Rico. From witnessing the brutality that was the Ponce Massacre to the injustices against migrating Puerto Ricans during the the early part of the 1940's, it is easy to understand what drove her to action.  The atrocities, the poverty and the social decadence Lolita Lebrón witnessed were enough to drive her to a life of political activism in favor of independence for Puerto Rico.

On March 1, 1954, Lebrón's cry for independence, "¡Viva Puerto Rico Libre!", echoed throughout congressional chambers while unfurling the Puerto Rican flag. Unfortunate, the fact that some were injured that day, but such is the case, for in resistance, there are, at times, casualties and injuries.

In 1979, after 25 years in prison, she, along with her compatriots Irving Flores, and Rafael Cancel Miranda, was pardoned by then President Jimmy Carter. She was welcomed with open arms and in return she continued to display her love for Puerto Rico, continuing to support independence until her passing.

If her life is the life martyrs are made of, then so be it, for she lived it well and shall never be forgotten. To Lolita and her unyielding courage and patriotism, if there are those that are ashamed of the courageous life you lead, then they are ashamed of being Puerto Ricans.

via http://artbyoscarlopez.org

"I did not come to kill anyone, I came to die for Puerto Rico!". -Dolores "Lolita" Lebrón (11/19/1919 – 8/1/2010)