He was linked to the radical group known as the FALN, the Spanish acronym for the Armed Forces of National Liberation, and was one of more than a dozen group members convicted in the 1980’s. The FALN was considered as one of the most dangerous terrorist groups to operate in the U.S. López Rivera denied being involved and assured them that his efforts were in activism, not in taking people’s lives.
In 1999, Clinton offered him clemency, but López Rivera turned down the chance to reduce his sentence because not all of the group’s members were given that opportunity. Even though, 12 prisoners accepted the offer and were later released. A senior Obama administration official said that he had served nearly half of his life in prison and was the only FALN member still incarcerated.
Over 100,00 people signed a petition urging President Obama to pardon Puerto Rican López Rivera and he has received a lot of support from fellow activists and even celebrities throughout his imprisonment.
Sobbing with gratitude here in London.
OSCAR LOPEZ RIVERA IS COMING HOME.
THANK YOU, @POTUS.
🇵🇷 https://t.co/IEdaEvsVcG— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) January 17, 2017
“I want to enjoy Puerto Rico, my family. But I like to work. I have some skills—organizing, helping young people—that I want to share with people,” said López Rivera to Nuevo Día. The 74-year-old will be freed on May 17th.
