Puerto Rico's last political prisoner: is it time for Oscar López Rivera to walk free?
Among the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan stands a big chalkboard mural on a building on Calle de Tetuan. It spells out: “Mandela is still ashamed of you. Free Oscar.” People in Puerto Rico , where a crippling debt crisis is currently unfolding, have much to say about political prisoner Oscar López Rivera. All over the city, young people are wearing “Free Oscar” T-shirts, and a few days before my arrival, activists hit the streets with makeshift signs, calling for his release. Last May, while campaigning against Hillary Clinton in advance of Puerto Rico’s 5 June caucuses, Bernie Sanders addressed voters during a town hall in San Juan. He promised that as president, he would pardon Oscar López Rivera. Later, Sanders shared his message on Twitter: “Oscar López Rivera has served 34 years in prison for his commitment to Puerto Rico’s independence. I say to President Obama: let him out.” However, although there’s a growing movement calling for López Rivera’s release, the US go