* To the late Pedro Pietri, whose words and uncanny verbal creations tore through my soul * To Richie, model and inspiration to all young people of color, including myself; this article is my tribute to you A powerful and moving tribute was offered to well-known activist Richie Perez last night in the auditorium of the Martin Luther King, Jr. building of local 1199/SEIU in New York City. Perez, who is seriously ill, only recently chose to disclose his most recent struggle, which prompted a flurry of activity in order to put together this most electrifying prayer vigil. Longtime friend and fellow activist Vincente 'Panama' Alba offered an eloquent tribute to his comrade, calling him the "brightest individual" he has ever met and using Mr. Perez as an example of Che Guevara's infamous statement describing love as the motivation of a true revolutionary. Mr. Alba, or 'Panama' as he is affectionately known, also warmly relayed the wishes of Mr. Perez, who preferred to keep his illness private. Drawing laughter and applause, Panama expressed that Richie is not worried about himself but about the upcoming election, the potential consequences of four more years of a Bush administration, about police brutality, and about Haiti, among other things. He expressed that Mr. Perez hoped to bring together people that have not seen each other in years and who have not spoken to each other in years during such a tribute, a consequence of the trying times of the later years of the Young Lords Party and other revolutionary organizations of the 1970s. Having everyone stand up and hug each other, Panama stated that everyone just got a hug from Richie. Showcasing his friend's unstinting commitment to his people and his community, Mr. Alba described him as "not a Puerto Rican revolutionary, but...a revolutionary." Luis Garden Acosta, former Young Lord and founder of El Puente in Brooklyn, and Fr. Luis Barrios, Episcopalian priest, activist, and writer, were the emcees for the evening, which began with a message of solidarity from Dennis Rivera, head of 1199 and who sponsored the event. There was so much history in one room, so much revolutionary spirit and comeraderie that it was infectious. There were smiles and kisses exchanged all across the room, but there were tears and faces tight with concern. The room was literally buzzing, aglow as old friends and comrades exchanged greetings and hugs in front of posters and pictures of Richie. It was a packed auditorium in a building named for a great civil rights leader and here we were, celebrating an equally great revolutionary leader. Familiar faces were ever present: Former Young Lords Pablo Guzman, Micky Melendez, Denise Oliver, Gloria Fontanez, Luis Garden Acosta, Panama Alba; State Assemblyman Jose Rivera (with his trusty video camera, of course); Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez; Councilman Guillermo Linares; former El Diario Editor in Chief Gerson Borrero; and a slew of activists, friends, and family members eager to share in the spirit and legacy of Richie Perez. The multi-denominational service drew the likes of Father Luis Barrios ("Lo que se quiere no muere" - "That which is loved does not die"), and representatives from the traditions of Yoruba (who honored Richie's work and prayed for his peaceful passing to "the Bright Land of the Ancestors"), Islam (who urged all to allow a psychological death with the ego, to be re-born in absolute love for humanity, and to live in sacrifice), Judaism (who stated that Richie brought light to the world and now we must bring light to him and to the world, the light of freedom and justice). A Nation of Islam representative also paid tribute to him and a final representative held a brief meditation session, bringing the audience to a dead silence as they all searched themselves for positive energy and good memories to send to their ailing Richie. When she asked the audience for words that were brought to mind when thinking of him, people shouted out words such as "brother", "tough", "consistency", "revolutionary", "teacher", and the one that drew spirited laughter, smiles, and enthusiastic applause, "cojones." Emcee Luis Garden Acosta passionately announced to sustained applause that similar prayer vigils were being held in Alberquerque, New Mexico and in Oakland, California, bringing a national presence to Richie Perez and to his respected work and dedication. The event, which was being recorded so that Mr. Perez is able to watch it, stood out for the vast and overwhelming love and energy that was present for him, including the spontaneous singing of the revolutionary "La Borinqueña" that took place at the end. All of the speakers testified about their enormous respect for Richie and their desire for him to find peace, whether through healing or through peaceful transition. Similarly, what stood out beyond all else was Richie's explicit demand and desire that everyone present re-commit themselves to the struggle for "global justice"; that everyone present donate not money nor flowers to him, but donate money to the Justice Committee of the National Congress of Puerto Rican Rights and more importantly, to donate themselves to the struggle for the betterment of humanity. That, in essence, is the only fitting tribute that we could offer a true revolutionary like our own Richie Perez. May he find healing and peace and may we be ready to "throw down" against injustice as readily as he always was. http://www.columbia.edu/~rmg36/NCPRR.html http://www.columbia.edu/~rmg36/ncprr_ny/ncprr_ny.html