Luis Nieves Falcón
December 29, 1929 – March 10, 2014
Tireless fighter for the dignity, rights and freedom of the Puerto Rican people
With profound sorrow, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) regrets to inform you that the beloved champion of the Puerto Rican people, the devoted anti-colonial patriot, Luis Nieves Falcón passed away in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico on March 10 after a two-year battle with leukemia. Comrade Luis was also a very dear friend to CPC(M-L), its founder and leader Comrade Hardial Bains and its current leadership.
The passing of Comrade Luis represents a huge loss to the Puerto Rican people and all those fighting for independence and freedom from colonial domination around the world. The most beloved and fearless champion of the anti-colonial struggle, he had utter fidelity to the grand cause of the freedom of the Puerto Rican people, the liberation of their political prisoners from U.S. jails and the high road of civilization.
In September 2013, as Luis was fighting for his life, friends created the Facebook page, “Amor por un Gigante [Love for a Giant]: Luis Nieves Falcón.” They wrote: “Luis’s life has been completely committed to our country. He has fought for justice, for human rights, for independence, for the political prisoners with an overwhelming integrity and will to work. He has fought on all fronts….his legacy as a magnificent professor and teacher of many is awe-inspiring. Luis does not just do and do, he does more and more — to meet the needs of his people and their humanity, helping everywhere. He is tireless and always works anonymously; he is not interested in recognition and never asks anything for himself. He is among those in our country who are indispensable.”
In a September 2013 post, one of his friends wrote of the singular courage Luis demonstrated, saying he was a pioneer who took on things that at the time no one wanted to touch, defending persecuted people that no one dared to defend, and on more than one occasion was the only voice of the silenced.
We express sincere condolences to the family of Comrade Luis, to his comrades and his many many friends, to all the people of Puerto Rico to whom he dedicated his every breath and to all those in Canada, in the United States and around the world, who profoundly mourn his loss. Comrade Luis came to Canada many times, fighting for the justice of his cause and sharing valuable experience with us. He spoke together with Comrade Bains at the Public Forum on Rights held in Toronto in 1995 and subsequently joined us on a number of other occasions, including at the 7th Congress of CPC(M-L), while delegations of youth from Canada and the United States went to Puerto Rico on several occasions to join the fight for the freedom of the political prisoners and for the U.S. Navy to get out of Vieques.
CPC(M-L) joins all those who are celebrating the life and example of Luis Nieves Falcón – the most extraordinary human being, mentor and friend. TML Weekly dated March 22 will be dedicated to Comrade Luis and his heroic fight for the rights of the Puerto Rican people. CPC(M-L) will also print a book with the speeches Luis delivered in Canada which explain in the most eloquent way the struggle of the people of Puerto Rico.
Dearest Luis, with our deepest social love and respect, we will continue to stand as one with your beloved people and the justice of their cause for the independence of Puerto Rico.
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Table of contents of the March 22nd edition of TML Weekly Information Project dedicated to Luis Nieves Falcón
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