Puerto Ricans seize Statue of Liberty

Press, 27 October 1977, Page 9

Puerto Ricans seize Statue of Liberty

NZPA-Reuter New York Puerto Rican nationalists demanding the release of four terrorists from Federal jails took over the Statue of Liberty for nine hours yesterday, before being arrested by United States park policemen. The Puerto Ricans, who ousted hundreds of tourists and a film crew from the famed statue on an island in New York Harbour, were seeking freedom for terrorists serving life prison terms for attacks on Congress and President Truman’s residence, Blair House, in the 19505. T 1 e 30 handcuffed demonstrators were greeted by about two dozen clapping and chanting supporters as they arrived in groups of 10 at the foot of Manhattan aboard New York City Police Department launches.

Mr Hugh Groves, deputy chief director of field operations for the United States Park Police, said the author!-

ties had decided to move in on the protesters after they refused “seven or eight offers of amnesty.” “After several hours we reached the conclusion they would not come out,” he said.

He said some 35 park policemen had broken one glass window at the base of the statue and “confronted the chanting group” after the demonstrators quietened down. They “co-operated to their fullest. They were ladies and gentlemen.”

. Mr Groves said no weapons had been found among members of the group, and besides the window broken by the policemen, no other damage had been done. The demonstrators—men and women in their midtwenties — were charged while still on Liberty Island on charges of criminal trespass on Federal property. If convicted of the charge each could receive up to a year in jail and a $5OO fine.