NEW YORK CITY – The General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) today released a statement in regard to the arrest of two GBGM staff executives and a United Methodist missionary arrested in Washington, D.C. during a protest of the continued U.S. military presence on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques. The staff members are the Rev. Eddie Lopez and Franklin Guerrero. The missionary is Andres Tomas Conteris.

GBGM Statement

The General Board of Global Ministries has for many years supported the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico in its demand that the United States Navy immediately and permanently stop its use of Vieques as a live ammunition practice range. This sentiment also was reflected in a resolution passed by General Conference 2000. GBGM continues to support the cause of the protesters and the people of Vieques. Nonetheless, all three GBGM staff members who participated in the demonstration in Washington, D.C. were engaged in personal conscientious witness and were not present there on behalf of the General Board of Global Ministries.

September 22, 2000