Vol. 4, No. 40 December 16, 1966
CAMPAIGN FOR HUGO BLANCO GAINS IN MOMENTUM
Lima
DECEMBER 1 -- A temporary respite was gained in Hugo Blanco's appeal now before the Supreme Council of Military Justice, when an additional two weeks was granted the defense to argue the legal points involved in the case. This postponement is scheduled to come to an end next week.
Meanwhile the widespread international campaign in behalf of Hugo Blanco appears to be having an effect on the authorities although the Peruvian press is maintaining a conspiracy of silence about everything connected with it.
In Lima itself a number of actions have been taken to increase the pressure in support of Hugo Blanco.
Tomorrow a rally is scheduled to be held in the main square of the city, the
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Plaza San. Martin, under the auspices of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights. The list of speakers includes Jacqueline de Lobatén,. the widow of the martyred Guillermo Lobatén; the peasant leader Wladimiro Valer; Genaro Ledesma, a member of parliament; Manuel Aller, a student; Manuel Diaz Salazar, a worker; and Iuchi Blanco, the sister of Hugo Blanco, who has herself been arrested and imprisoned because of her political views and her activities in helping to organize landless peasants.
The Committee for the Defense of Human Rights, it should be remarked, is backed by liberal figures and by the entire left with the exception of the pro-Peking Communist party.
On November 24, the militant Federaci6én de Construccién Civil sponsored a street meeting in opposition to the death penalty which hangs over Hugo Blanco. It was held in the Parque Universitario where the most militant demonstrations of the Peruvian students and workers have always been staged. One of the speakers was Rolando Riega, defense secretary of the Federacién de Pescadores, whose strike is paralyzing the fish industry.
In face of huge obstacles, including the witch-hunt atmosphere fostered by the government, lack of funds and limited personnel (many leaders are still in prison), Hugo Blanco's partisans in Peru are working on an emergency basis to build up the biggest possible protest movement.
The movement here is very grateful for what is being done internationally and asks that it be continued and extended. Send telegrams and letters of protest, asking for an immediate amnesty for Hugo Blanco and the other political prisoners. Attention should be called to these by demonstrations at Peruvian consulates and embassies.
The appeals should be sent to the Consejo Supremo de Justicia Militar, Lima, Peru.
Similar appeals should be cabled to President Fernando Belatinde Terry, Lima, Peru. Copies of these should be airmailed to Hugo Blanco's attorney, Dr. Alfredo Battilana, Av. Nicola de Pierola, 966; Oficina 215, Lima, Peru.
} {World Outlook, too, would appreciate receiving copies of these appeals by airmail.
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