From Mark & Rhoda Berenson:
To Friends and Supporters of Lori Berenson – Despite the odds she faced owing to compromised health after 13.5 years of incarceration in harsh Peruvian prison environments, Lori gave birth Wednesday morning May 6 in Lima. Salvador Anespori Apari Berenson was delivered via Caesarian-section due to Lori’s precarious back condition that will require delicate spinal surgery to prevent permanent nerve damage.  Surgery will be scheduled after she recovers from childbirth.
File Photo: Lori in a Lima Courtroom, March 22, 2001
Salvador’s father, Anibal Apari Sanchez is a lawyer in Lima. Lori and Anibal were married in October 2003. Salvador will enjoy dual U.S. and Peruvian citizenship.  Peruvian law permits a child to be raised in a prison by the mother until age three.  Lori is eligible for conditional liberty (ìparoleî) in November 2010, when Salvador will be 18 months old.Â
Although the prison cell is small and stark, Lori and Salvador have everything they need. Â Lori would very much welcome your kind thoughts in cards or letters, but asks “PLEASE, NO GIFTS,” she simply has no room.Â
Former Peru President Fujimori Found Guilty of Crimes Against Humanity
Last month, former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori, the man who arrested and used Lori for his own political gains, was convicted of crimes against humanity and given a 25-year sentence. Â Isn’t it ironic that a man who was convicted for at least 25 murders and two kidnappings was sentenced to 25 years when Lori was found guilty of minor involvement with a subversive group and acquitted of charges relating to militancy or violence and was given a 20-year sentence? Â
CALL TO ACTION:
Urge President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton to Free Lori
1 – Please call the White House hotline operator, 202-456-1111. Tell the hotline operator that you would like President Obama to secure the release of Lori Berenson who has been wrongfully imprisoned in Peru for more than 13 years and whose health is precarious.
2 – Please write to Secretary of State Clinton. For your convenience a letter for you to print and sign appears on the recently updated www.freelori.org website. Here is the direct link.Send your letters to:
The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
US Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20510
Now that Salvador has arrived, Lori’s next hurdle will be delicate back surgery. Â There is extreme concern over the prospects for Lori having successful spinal surgery in Peru when post-surgical rehabilitation and physical therapy are so limited in the confines of stark prison facilities. Â
President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton must be reminded of Lori’s situation. Â Surely, in the interests of fairness and justice, the Obama administration must urge Peruvian President Alan Garcia to commute LoriÃs sentence on humanitarian grounds for medical reasons and return her and her baby to the U.S.A.
The White House Hot-line is 202-456-1111 or the White House fax number is 202-456-2461. The brief message should be: Â “Enough is enough, President Obama should do all he can to bring Lori Berenson and her baby boy Salvador home.”
A similar short note can be sent to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton by mail (address: Department of State, 2201 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20510). The www.freelori.org website link http://www.freelori.org/sampleletters/statedept/index.html  lists other talking points.
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English Website: Â www.freelori.org
Spanish Website: Â www.lorilibre.org