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82 Lori Berenson December 23, 2002 In a letter to her mother, Lori Berenson made an observation regarding a baby visiting her prison wing being rocked to sleep in a lawn chair: When Micaela gets hysterical, you just put her in the lawn chair and move it and she’s thrilled. My theory is that if the NASA folks could create a giant lawn chair to cradle the planet perhaps we could attain world peace. It’s such a miraculous solution! And here is Lori’s holiday message from Huacariz Prison in Cajamarca, Peru: Dear Friends, I very much thank you for your concern and support over the years. In this holiday season and with the coming of the new year, a point of reflection for all should include what we can do to make the world a better place, with less war, less hate, and fewer excuses for killing in the name of wealth, power, or greed—which is just so wrong. My personal reflection, which has grown over these years in jail, is that if we all don’t work to humanize this world I don’t know how we’ll end up, and I believe we owe it to the future generations to leave them a better world to live in. In this light I will close, wishing you the best in this holiday season and hoping for a good new year. Sincerely, Lori Berenson Lori’s parents, Mark and Rhoda add this message: 83 We join Lori in thanking you for all the support you have given her and us. Lori has now completed her seventh year wrongfully imprisoned in Peru and she still remains true to her beliefs in social justice and human rights. As you know, the Inter-American Commission has brought the case in defense of its position favoring Lori to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in San Jose, Costa Rica. In September, the Court agreed to hold hearings. We are concerned, however, that this process could take two or more years while Lori suffers in prison for no reason. We are also concerned that Peru might not comply with the Court decision - even though as a member of the Inter-American Court system it has agreed to abide by Court decisions. In the new year we will once again be urging President Bush, Secretary of State Powell, and members of Congress to persuade the Peruvian government to release Lori as soon as possible. We thank each of you for supporting our efforts, either financially or with letters, phone-calls and/or actions. Contributions to the Committee to Free Lori Berenson have helped us to maintain the office in Washington, travel to Peru to visit Lori, and continue the fight for her freedom. We hope you can help us continue in this struggle. ...

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