Navy restarts Vieques bombing exercises

Tear gas is fired by U.S. Marshals outside the perimeter of U.S. Naval Reservation Camp Garcia on Sunday in Vieques

VIEQUES, Puerto Rico (CNN) -- The U.S. Navy resumed a weeklong bombing exercise Monday on Puerto Rico's Vieques Island after suspending operations for part of the weekend.

Nearly 70 people, including a U.S. congressman and an actor, were arrested over the weekend for trespassing on Navy property during protests to stop the exercises.

The Navy suspended the training runs Sunday as a mark of respect for the beatification ceremony at the Vatican of Carlos Manuel Rodriquez Santiago, Navy spokesman Lt. Jeff Gordon said. Santiago, who died in 1963, could become Puerto Rico's first saint.

The bombing began again on Monday after the Navy had checked the practice range for any unauthorized visitors.

VIDEO CNN's John Zarrella reports on the continuing protests in Vieques Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) CNN's Wolf Blitzer reports on the Vieques bombing controversy Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     RESOURCES Vieques Island map Why Vieques?     ALSO TIME.com: Vieques Under Fire: Standoff in Puerto Rico     MESSAGE BOARD Vieques protests

"That is a very, very unstable area," said Navy spokesman Bob Nelson. "There is a lot of unexploded ordnance. For their safety they need to be very careful."

The practice had to be suspended briefly Saturday when groups of protesters violated the security zone by boat.

Controversy over the exercises has grown since October 1999, when an errant bomb killed a civilian security guard. Some Puerto Ricans worried that the bombing was contributing to poor health among children and adults on the island.

The exercises were put on hold, but last week, a district court judge in Washington rejected Puerto Rico's call for a temporary injunction, clearing the way for the Navy to resume bombing.

A Kennedy, an actor and a congressman

Since the latest round of training began last week, 136 protesters have been arrested, including eight people who were detained Sunday after they allegedly cut through the fence surrounding the bombing range and entered the base.

All were due in court Monday.

Jose Orengo, foreground, marches with other protesters Sunday on Vieques Island

"Initial appearances are scheduled for today in San Juan before a federal magistrate," said Drew Wade, spokesman for U.S. marshals in Washington.

Also on Sunday, U.S. marshals and Navy military police used tear gas and pepper spray on demonstrators who tried to enter the bombing area.

"They pelted Navy security with rocks and bottles," Gordon said.

No one from the second group was arrested.

The Vieques protests have attracted politicians and celebrities to the cause.

Among the people detained Saturday were Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Illinois, environmental lawyer Robert Kennedy Jr., son of the late senator, actor Edward James Olmos, and a number of Puerto Rican lawmakers.

The Navy training exercises are scheduled to end this week.

Eight arrested outside controversial bombing range in Puerto Rico
April 29, 2001
Second day of protest greets Vieques exercises
April 28, 2001
Amid protests, Vieques bombing exercises resume
April 27, 2001
Vieques protesters mobilizing in Puerto Rico
April 26, 2001
Puerto Rico asks judge to stop bombing exercises
April 25, 2001
Eleven arrested following Vieques protest at Statue of Liberty
November 5, 2000

Vieques Island, Puerto Rico
  • History of Vieques Island
Vieques Libre
Government of Puerto Rico - Office of the Governor
U.S. Navy
  • Activities on the Island of Vieques
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
  • Judge Gladys Kessler
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
U.S. Department of Justice

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