Thursday, May 13, 2010
6:00pm

Memorial
for William Nieves
Thursday, May 13, 2010
6:00pm
1199 SEIU, 13th Floor Penthouse
330 West 42nd Street, NYC

Photo by Carlos Diaz

Celebrities, political and labor leaders, attorneys, journalists, educators, artists and students will come together on Thursday, May 13th at 6pm in New York to honor the memory of Willie Nieves, who, throughout his life, was a public figure of great importance and leadership in the Puerto Rican and Latino community in this city.

He became a university leader promoting academic reforms and the inclusion of courses on Puerto Rican and Latino studies in the CUNY curriculum during the 1970s when he was a student at the City College of New York.

He also was part of the struggle to defend the civil rights of African-Americans; participated in the anti-war movement in peace marches during the Vietnam War, as did so many young people during this counter-cultural period.

He later became part of the brigades of the Peace Corp in South America, and was one of the early leaders of ASPIRA of New York, becoming one of the top Puerto Ricans during the administration of Mayor David Dinkins, where he was in charge of Hispanic affairs.

Along with these many achievements, he promoted many musical productions, taking the theater to the streets during the summer in the city. He also distinguished himself as a patriotic defender of independence and defender of Puerto Rican nation and its struggles for freedom both in the United States and Puerto Rico, his home country.

The sudden disappearance of Willie Nieves had surprised and left his compatriots, friends and colleagues struck by a profound sadness for the loss it represents. He passed away on March 24, 2010 in Puerto Rico, his body was cremated and, at his request, his ashes shall be spread over a brook in his beloved Borinquen.

For further information, contact:
Soledad at marisoles.romer@gmail.com