News from Lori's Parents

9 November 1999

This is day 1,441 of Lori's wrongful incarceration.

In this update:

Action: Help Lori "celebrate" her 30th birthday by fighting world hunger

Lori has been deeply concerned about world hunger and starving children since she was the voice-over of a CARE commercial played around the world when she was 14 years old. On Saturday, November 13th, Lori will be 30 years old. Although not happy about spending this birthday in a Peruvian prison, thanks to the initiative of supporter Marcy Hess from the Kansas City, MO area, Lori was happy to learn about the United Nations World Food Program which, through several corporate sponsors, combats world hunger on the following web site www.thehungersite.com

Since Lori has no access to a computer and cannot participate directly, she hopes you will do this for her -- go the web site www.thehungersite.com, click the appropriate button, and somewhere in the world a hungry person will be getting a meal to eat at no cost to you. You are permitted to make one click per day from a specific computer.

Action: Distributing "Lori Literature" at upcoming W.T.O. and S.O.A. events

If you are planning to attend either the World Trade Organization protest in Seattle, WA or the School of the Americas protest in Columbus, GA and would like to distribute information about Lori please contact Gail Taylor, National Organizer of the Committee to Free Lori Berenson, at gtaylor@freelori.org or call her at 202-548-8480.

News: U.S. Senate Resolution 209 criticizes lack of democracy and human rights in Perú

On November 3rd, Senate Resolution 209 that was co-sponsored by Senators Jesse Helms (R - NC), Mike DeWine (R-OH), Jim Jeffords (R-VT), Christopher Dodd (D-CT), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) expressed the Senate's concern over interference with freedom of the press and the independence of judicial and electoral institutions in Perú. This resolution is similar to House Resolution 57 that was passed on October 4th.

News: Wall Street Journal editorial criticizes Fujimori's authoritarian rule

On October 29th, the Americas column editor Mary Anastasia O'Grady described in detail the abuses of authority that President Fujimori has been alleged to use to maintain control of his presidential power base and she opined that "Peruvians are growing weary and wary" -- see the www.freelori.org web site.

Events: Mark speaks in Memphis

On November 2nd through 4th, Tennessee Regional Area Coordinator Professor Frank Afflitto hosted Mark at several engagements. Mark spoke as part of a University of Memphis Seminar Series. He also made presentations in two classes, was interviewed by several newspapers and by public radio (WKNO.FM), and appeared on FOX news. Professor Afflitto and Mark also met with staff officers for Senators Frist and Thompson.

We want to thank Frank for all his endeavors to promote these successful events.

Upcoming events

Berkeley, CA
Tuesday, November 16th
La Pena Cultural Center
6:30 p.m.

"Solidarity with Political Prisoners, Commemoration of Martyrs and Struggle in Latin America," an evening of Latin American inspired food, music, art, and solidarity with proceeds to benefit various organizations, including the Committee to Free Lori Berenson. For further information please call (510) 893-4648 X 201.

Burlington,VT
Sunday, November 28th
Church Street Marketplace
2 p.m.

"Moving Vigil for Lori Berenson," a procession assembling at the fountain at the top of Church Street to be led by the Bread and Puppet Theatre to commemorate the fourth anniversary of Lori's wrongful incarceration in Perú.

Save the date: November 30th

Tuesday November 30th marks the fourth anniversary of Lori's wrongful incarceration in Peruvian prisons. A national Faxathan and Phonathon to the White House is being planned to remind President Clinton of his obligations (Act of Congress 22 USC Section 1732) on behalf of a wrongfully incarcerated U.S. citizen. Specific information will appear in a future update.

- Rhoda and Mark Berenson