Attack preparations 1954 United States Capitol shooting incident

don pedro albizu campos

nationalists not satisfied people s vote in 1952 plebiscite. in 1950s, don pedro albizu campos, president of puerto rican nationalist party, had been corresponding prison 34-year-old lolita lebrón. of correspondence discussed nationalist party revolts of 1950. discussed puerto rican governor luis muñoz marín, had succeeded in having puerto rico declared estado libre asociado (free associated state) of u.s.

in 1954, group of nationalists, included lebrón, rafael cancel miranda, irvin flores , andrés figueroa cordero, decided focus world s attention on puerto rico s status, considered colony of u.s. planned attack multiple locations in washington, d.c. force.

albizu campos did not order attack, nationalists continued plan it. lebrón decided lead group and, eventually, attack. lebrón concluded single attack on house of representatives had greater prospect success trying attack multiple targets. chose date of march 1, 1954, coincide opening of conferencia interamericana (interamerican conference) in caracas. lebrón intended call attention puerto rico s independence cause, particularly among latin american countries @ conference.