[Rally for four released FALN members]

This tape features footage of a National Liberation Armed Forces (FALN) support rally in September 1979 in Chicago. It took place right after Puerto Rican Nationalists Oscar Collazo, Irving Flores, Rafael Cancel Miranda, and Lolita Lebron were released from jail upon President Jimmy Carter's commutation of their sentences. Collazo was incarcerated for the attempted assassination of President Harry Truman. Flores, Miranda, and Lebron had been in jail for a 1954 attack on the U.S. House of Representatives. In this tape, the released nationalists address a crowd of supporters for the first time.

00:00Copy video clip URL This tape begins with static.

00:15Copy video clip URL Rafael Cancel Miranda speaks with a few supporters before the rally. The camera operator gathers footage of the setting.

01:08Copy video clip URL Supporters struggle to open a door to reveal a large crowd of people waiting outside the building for the arrival of the four figureheads of their movement. A ladder is used as a makeshift barrier to keep the crowd at bay. Miranda, Lolita Lebron, and Oscar Collazo are seen approaching the front door. A speaker steps outside and asks the crowd to be as quiet as possible as the three step forward to address the crowd. This lasts for several minutes.

08:08Copy video clip URL Lebron begins to address the crowd. She expresses her gratitude for those supporting Puerto Rican liberation. She then talks about her struggle in fighting for Puerto Rican independence. Eventually, rowdy crowd members call for Lebron to speak in Spanish. At one point, a man standing near Lebron scolds the crowd for being too loud. This lasts for several minutes.

13:17Copy video clip URL After Lebron has finished her speech, she steps back in front of the camera and jubilantly chants with the crowd. Shortly afterward, another speaker takes the microphone and begins to address the crowd. This lasts for several minutes.

17:16Copy video clip URL Miranda takes the microphone and begins to address the crowd in Spanish. The crowd remains fairly rowdy throughout his speech, and eventually begins to chant. This lasts for several minutes.

24:50Copy video clip URL Collazo addresses the crowd after being greeted by chanting. The camera operator gathers more footage of the event. The crowd remains relatively quiet throughout Collazo’s speech.

29:03Copy video clip URL As Collazo finishes his speech, supporters lift the barrier holding back the crowd. Miranda can be seen shuffling his way through the crowd, shaking hands and sharing words with supporters. At one point, he is hoisted up onto someone’s shoulders so the entire crowd can see him. The crowd goes wild as Miranda raises his fists. Miranda eventually makes his way back behind the barrier. This lasts for the remainder of the tape.

33:14Copy video clip URL Tape ends.

 

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