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COLUMN 102, FEBRUARY 1, 2003
(Copyright © 2003 The Blacklisted Journalist)

HELP SAVE OUR GREAT NUYORICAN POET, EL REV. PEDRO PIETRI!

1. NUYORICAN POETS CAFE APPEAL

Subject: :: el rev. pedro pietri ::
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2003 09:31:07 -0800
From: "Merilene M. Murphy" peazritr@comcast.net 
To: info@blacklistedjournalist.com 

Hola, I ask for your immediate support in this time of great need for an incredible poet, Pedro Pietri. Please forward this urgent need for financial support and prayers to your own contacts. Thanks, Jose Angel Figueroa.
-----------------------------------------

Woke up this morning
feeling excellent!
Picked up the telephone
dialed the number
Of my equal opportunity
employer to inform him
I will not be in
to work today!
Are you feeling sick?
the Boss
asked me,
"No Sir I replied,
I am feeling too good
to report to work today!
If I feel sick tomorrow 
I will come in
early."

from "Telephone Booth Number 905," by El Reverendo Pedro Pietri

PEDRO PIETRI HEALTH BENEFIT FUND
c/o Nuyorican Poets Café . P.O. Box 20794 .
New York, NY 10009
December 14, 2003

[name]
[street address] [or email address]
[city, state, zip]

Dear Friend:
If you have ever laughed, reveled in, or enjoyed one of Pedro's poems-or if you can recall a line from any one of his countless poems-then this letter is of utmost urgency to you. It is with great pain that we report publicly
that renowned Puerto Rican / Nuyorican poet, Rev. Pedro Pietri, is seriously ill. Recently he has had surgery at Bronx Lebanon Hospital to treat his ailments. However, the medical prognosis is dismal. El Rev Pedro Pietri-the author of Puerto Rican Obituary, in its tenth printing is a classic in the Puerto Rican literature-his entire life is poetry. He is an outspoken advocate for the Puerto Rican Diaspora.

The life of this eminent poet is a reflection of the circumstances of our age - from the Puerto Rican migrations, through the disintegration of the New York neighborhoods, to the Vietnam War era and the aftermath of
environmental pollution, El Rev. Pedro Pietri has been the creative voice to the madness that surrounds us. The life of a poet has never been easy. Pedro was victimized by the war as a result of Agent Orange exposure and
ignored by the parties responsible for his condition. Now he is succumbing to an ever-increasing number of illnesses related to this and the attendant stress that has slowly ravaged his body. These include glaucoma, a
compromised circulatory system from high blood pressure; his skin tissue affected by advanced vitiligo; stomach ulcers; and now, a cancerous tumor.

This is a Mission Critical Appeal. Especially since there is hope.

Again reflecting our times, the treatments that could be his saving mechanisms are not available nor recognized by the medical establishment in the U.S.A.

His friends, his fellow poets, and his family have organized this effort. Our hope entails treatment at the Oasis of Hope Hospital in Mexico. Results from their treatment indicate a high degree of recovery and non-recurrence in many of their patients. It is expensive beyond Pedro and his family's financial means. Expenses include treatment, travel expenses, lodging, post-treatment, health management, and a healthy return home.

The cost of treatment at minimum is about $30,000. An individual contribution of a $1,000 (tax deductible) would be most helpful. However, any contribution will be deeply appreciated. Please make checks payable to:

Nuyorican Poets Café, Inc.,

with memo:

Pedro Pietri Health Benefit Fund

c/o Nuyorican Poets Cafe
P.O. Box 20794
New York, New York 10009

We are seeking your support and contributions for Pedro's treatment in Mexico by January 2004. We pray that you will:

Sincerely,

Friends and Family of Pedro Pietri

Help Save The Life of This Treasure: The Reverend Pedro Pietri  ##

* * *

2. AMIRI BARAKA'S APPEAL

Subject: Re: :: el rev. pedro pietri ::
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2003 18:11:51 EST
From: Amirib@aol.com 
To: info@blacklistedjournalist.com 

WE SHOULD GET TOGETHER AND GIVE A HUGE BENEFIT FOR PEDRO.

W/ E.G., FELIPE, BACA, SONIA, JAYNE, M'BOOM, HILTON RUIZ, DULCE PLENA
(NWK GROUPS & POETS, SULIMAN, CAMMARIERI, TED WILSON, RUTHIE
SANABRIA, ), JERRY GONZALEZ, RAS & JUBA'S VERSE4VERSE , AMINA,
JOVENES DEL BARRIO, KEVIN POWELL, STEPTOE, MEDINA, HICKS,
RAPPERS , E.G., DEAD PREZ, RICANSTRUCTION, (AMIRIB JR. GOT A WHOLE
SLEW OF GREAT YNG HIP HOP BOOMADOOMA'S) RENE MCLEAN, OTHER
MUSICAL GROUPS, 

ALL READY TO GET DOWN ...COME IN, COME IN....OVER & OUT AMIRI B
Amiri Baraka.com (website)  ##

* * *

3. FEBRUARY 19 FUNDRAISER

Subject: Re: :: el rev. pedro pietri ::
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 23:43:16 EST
From: Estevessan@aol.com 
To: info@blacklistedjournalist.com 

Familia,
We are planning a fundraiser event for Pedro. The date is Feb 19th. In the meantime his family is sending
out a letter with info on mail-in donations.

February 19, 2004 7:00 PM to 12:00 Midnight at Taller Boricua (In the Julia de Burgos Cultural Center)
1680 Lexington Avenue on the Southwest corner of E. 106th Street & Lexington Avenue

Donation: $20. (or more if you can handle it)

Travel Directions:
#6 train to E. 103rd Street, or buses M101, M102, M103, M106, M1, M2, M3, M4 to East 106th Street 

We are still confirming poets, musicians, artists, etc. For information contact: Robert Waddell RWaddell88@yahoo.com
718-824-9276
Are you available? 

Sandra Maria Esteves
Email: Estevessan@aol.com 
Phone/Fax: *82-1-212-926-0284  ##

* * *

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