Free Lori Berenson
Friday, July 15, 2005
To Friends and Supporters of Lori Berenson:
VISIT WITH LORI
July began with a visit by Lori's uncle Ken who accompanied Mark to
Cajamarca. It was Ken's first visit to Peru since Lori's trial in April
2001. Lori celebrated the occasion by baking a belated father's day
all-chocolate cake in a heart shape which she decorated with the words
"Yo amo Tio Ken y Dad."
The visit with Lori was wonderful - she was in very good spirits and
really excited to see her uncle after all these years. Mark and Ken
spent time with Lori in the bakery where she works daily and also in the
yard. Winter has arrived in Peru and, despite a very sunny day, it
became quite cold in the late afternoon. They spent many hours
reminiscing.
LORI SENDS GREETINGS FROM PERU
Lori gave Mark and Ken the following letter to update you on what is
going on in Peru and neighboring countries. She refers to corruption in
Peru that has been front-page news for several weeks. To put her
comments in context, it must be mentioned that the Peruvian Congress had
passed a law, now rescinded, enabling those awaiting trials or
sentencing for other than terrorism-related charges to serve their time
under house arrest instead of spending that time under harsh prison
conditions. In addition, despite Peru joining the US in the global war
on terrorism and on narco-trafficking and despite Peru recently being
authorized to receive over $100 million dollars from the US Congress to
fight drugs, President Toledo recently decided to commute the six-year
eight-month sentence of a young woman after she had served only one year
following her conviction for drug trafficking - trying to leave Peru
with 10 pounds of cocaine. President Toledo then gave this young woman a
humanitarian release. She happens to be the daughter of an ambassador
from a country allied with Peru.
Letter and Information About Lori Can Be Found Here