Once more, the children of Vieques are being traumatized by huge detonations that shake their houses. The United States Navy resumed its target practice on Sunday, June 25, despite all the demonstrations in favor of peace for Vieques. The Navy had suspended its target practice since April 19, 1999, when a bomb missed its target, killing David Sanes and wounding four other people.

Since May 4, 2000, when over 200 demonstrators were removed by Federal Marshals and FBI agents from the restricted area that contains the firing range, approximately 250 people representing different groups have entered the area in an effort to impede the Navy's operations. They hope to bring attention to the fact that the operations represent a health threat to the civilian population and are destroying Vieques' environment. These demonstrators are willing to serve as human shields. In bombing the area, the Navy has shown only slight regard for the security of people practicing civil disobedience by hiding close to the targets. The bombing was interrupted on Monday for roughly an hour when one of the demonstrators was spotted calmly walking in the target area, but after he was detained, the target practice was resumed–even though the Navy has been informed of other demonstrators in the area.

A survey by the Caguas diocese of the Catholic Church revealed that 92.5% of the residents of Vieques support the departure of the United States Navy from Vieques; 88.5% want an immediate cessation of the bombing exercises and a complete departure of the Navy from Vieques. Only 4% are willing to let the Navy remain for the three-year period mentioned in President Clinton's directive. The survey was taken among 2,214 residents of Vieques.

Religious leaders participating in an ecumenical coalition opposed to the Navy's presence have been detained for entering the area of Camp Garcia, the US Navy base in Vieques where target practice takes place. Some of them had to spend the night in jail. The Reverend Heriberto Martinez, Executive Secretary of the Puerto Rico Evangelical Council, was among those put in jail overnight. Different religious groups are planning increased advocacy efforts for peace in Vieques in the month of August. The General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church will continue providing support to the ecumenical coalition in its effort to achieve respect for the human rights of the residents of Vieques.

June 28, 2000