Blanco, the Tapac Amaru defendants, Adolfo Gilly, Victor Rico Galan and their comrades -- Chairman George Novack reported that plans are underway to form a. broad, defense committee in behalf of political prisoners throughout. Latin America. The aim of the committee’, he said, should be to strengthen and expand current defense efforts. As cases arise, he, said,. they should be taken regardless of the particular political views cof the opponents of the dictatorial regimes.
The anridunéement was hailed by. the other speakers. These included Paul Sweezy, coeditor of Monthly Review; John Gerassi, author of The Great Fear; Father Felix McGowan of the Catholic Worker; Richard Garza, Socialist Workers candidate, for Lieutenant Governor of New York; and. Joseph Hansen, editor of The | ilitant.
. The: speakers explained ‘the Peruvian and Mexican cases and described the general economic and social conditions that have given rise to revolutionary protest throughout ‘Latin: America.
The audience expressed. its enthusiasm for the’ idea of: a broad Latin-American defense. committee by. contributing almost’ ‘$200: They voted unanimously to send protests to President Belatnde Terry of Peru and President Dias Ordaz of