In 2003, the people of Vieques succeeded in getting the United States Navy out of Vieques. The Navy had used the island as a bombing range for more than 60 years. The negative effects of shelling are evidenced in civilian deaths, mutilated bodies, high cancer rates and the environmental pollution caused by the uranium, aluminum, lead, arsenic and mercury left from military practices. The bombing consequences include environmental destruction and health problems, and the people of Vieques continue to struggle to get the United States government to clean up the destruction it has left behind.

Center for Puerto Rican Studies in NYC

Articles about the Young Lords