Lolita+Lebron+essay

__Lolita Lebron__

Lolita Lebron helped change and affect so many lives of Puerto Ricans looking for the freedom of their republic. She was a very activist during the Puerto Rican independence Movement. She strived for equal rights and fair laws. She didn't just speak to the people of her republic but, she took her words to the United States to make sure she was heard. But, because of one of her protests went too far in the united states, she had to go before the House of Representatives. Lolita's protest wasn't just a protest, it was an "attack," that her and some other activists had planned. She studied the plan, determining the possible weaknesses, concluding that a single attack on the House of Representatives would be more effective. The date for the attack on the House of Representatives was to be March 1, 1954. This date was chosen because it coincided with the inauguration of the //Conferencia Interamericana//(Interamerican Conference) in Caracas. Most of the activists backed down and wanted to change the day of the attack because it was raining. But, Lolita Lebron, understood that freedom shouldn't wait and she also understood the importance of the day they had chosen for their attack. he other members of the group seemed serene and optimistic while rushing towards the legislative chamber.(p. 136) When Lebrón's group reached the visitor's gallery above the chamber in the House, they sat while the representatives discussed Mexico's economy. Shortly therefter, Lebrón gave the order to the other members, the group quickly recited the Lord's prayer, then Lebron stood up and shouted "//¡Viva Puerto Rico Libre!//" ("Long live a Free Puerto Rico!") and unfurled the the flag of Puerto Rico. The group opened fire with automatic pistols Lebrón claimed that she fired her shots at the ceiling, while Figueroa's pistol jammed. Some 30 shots were fired (mostly by Cancel, according to his account), wounding five lawmakers; one representative Alvin Bently, from Michigan, was seriously wounded in the chest. Upon being arrested, Lebrón yelled "I did not come to kill anyone, I came to die for Puerto Rico!". T here when she explained her reasons for protesting, while never backing down from her ideas, after the long trial the House of Representatives decided to imprison her. The trial started on June 4th 1954 with judge Alexander Holtzoff presiding over the case, under strict security measures. The prosecution was led by Leo A. Rover, as part of this process 33 witnesses testified. Lolita Lebrón and the other members of the group were the only defense witnesses, as part of her testimony she reaffirmed that they "came to die for the liberty of her homeland". She was fighting for her country, she was fighting to free her country. Lolita Lebrón and the other members of the group were the only defense witnesses, as part of her testimony she reaffirmed that they "came to die for the liberty of her homeland". She was put in front of the congress, because she was trying to have Puerto Rico break off of the United States. June 16, 1954, the jury declared the four guilty. On the morning of July 8, 1954, Lebrón was notified of her son's death, minutes before attending the presentation of their sentence. D uring the meeting of her sentence, Lolita Lebron became overwhelmed in emotions and began crying in grief and resentment. Rover pursued death penalty, but Holtzoff decided to implement the maximum imprisonment penalties. So instead, her punishment was sixteen to fifty years in prison, depending on her behavior. She wasn't the only one imprisoned, three other protesters were also found guilty.

In my Opinion, Lolita Lebron is a role model in so many ways. She spent her life devoted to fighting for what she believed in. Lolita Lebron, is a perfect example of someone who didn't have it easy as a child and grew up during a time where women weren't being treated fairly and her country wasn't free. But, that didn't stop, it motivated her to fight for what she believed in.