Lot 490
Miranda, Rafael Cancel (1930 -) Political activist, member of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party and an advocate of Puerto Rican independence. On March 1, 1954, Miranda, with fellow Nationalists Lolita Lebron, Andres Figueroa Cordero, and Irving Flores Rodriguez entered the United States Capitol building and fired 30 shots, hitting five congressmen, all of whom survived. All four Nationalists were arrested and sent to different prisons. Miranda, who was considered the primary shooter, was sentenced to 85 years and sent to Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary; in 1960 he was transferred to Leavenworth, and in 1970 to Marion Penitentiary in Illinois. When he became eligible for parole in 1979, he was pardoned by President Jimmy Carter.
Autograph letter signed ("Rafael"), as a prisoner in Marion Penitentiary, 2 pages, April 1, 1979. To Reverend and Mrs. S. Jackson in Philadelphia. In part: "…I have the great joy of receiving many letters - and now & then I get way behind in my answering….the jailers won't allow me to get those things that you want to send to me….Anyway, your letters are like gifts - so, you are, indeed, sending me something which I value. Yes, my friend went to his death at peace with himself, because he lived a good life - a life dedicated to the freedom of his people! He was a very very humane person - about ten thousands [sic] Puerto Ricans went to his funeral….Our people knows [sic] what we are fighting for - Yes, I'm eligible for parole - in June - but I won't apply for it, because I won't accept no conditions in my freedon, nor would I ask for pardons or things like that….very many people around the world are asking for our unconditional release (even the General Assembly of the United Nations - more than a hundred countries asked Carter for it)….it's a great comfort to me that so many people are supporting us…." Both letter and envelope have Miranda's prisoner number.
Estimated Value $800 - 1,000.
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