Unanimous Resolution on the Killing of Filiberto Ojeda Rios
Philadelphia City Council, October 20, 2005
Urging the United States Department of Justice to order an independent investigation of the circumstances of the fatal shooting of Puerto Rican nationalist leader Filiberto Ojeda Rios by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
WHEREAS, Aníbal Acevedo Vilá, the Governor of Puerto Rico, has described the FBI’s actions in the fatal shooting of Filiberto Ojeda as improper and highly irregular, and has asked for an independent investigation; and
WHEREAS, the reputation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is one of a professionally trained and managed law enforcement agency; and
WHEREAS, on September 23, 2005 Filiberto Ojeda Rios, a Puerto Rican nationalist leader was killed by FBI agents and the official autopsy report indicates that Mr. Ojeda bled to death over a period of several hours in which he did not receive medical attention; and
WHEREAS, the available information regarding the circumstances of the death of Filiberto Ojeda Rios are unclear and troubling to many people; and
WHEREAS, FBI Director Robert Mueller agrees that the case is troubling and has therefore ordered an investigation into the shooting; and
WHEREAS, the three representatives of Puerto Rican heritage in the United States House of Representatives, Luis V. Gutierrez, Jose E. Serrano, and Nydia M. Velazquez and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, Luis Fortuño, all have requested an investigation of the circumstances of the shooting; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Charles Rangel, expressed outrage about the shooting and called for thorough investigations by the U.S. Justice Department and Congress in order to bring those responsible to justice; and
WHEREAS, Amnesty International has called for an independent investigation in the interests of public confidence, transparency and the integrity of all involved and has noted that by international standards law enforcement officers should only use firearms in response to an immediate threat of death or serious injury when non-violent measures have been exhausted or are ineffective; and
WHEREAS, human compassion dictates that anyone injured and incapacitated by force or firearms should receive prompt medical attention; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, that this legislative body urges the United States Department of Justice to order an independent investigation of the circumstances of the fatal shooting of Puerto Rican Nationalist leader Filiberto Ojeda Rios by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chief Clerk shall forward a copy of this Resolution to the Office of the Attorney General of the United States.
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