On April, 5, 2008, the Batey Urbano and the National Boricua Human Rights Network (NBHRN) debuted their play Crime Against Humanity to the Humboldt Park community. Over 40 persons attended that opening, with such notables attendees as Miguel Palacio of Association House, ex-political prisoner José Luis Rodríguez, Jan Susler of the People’s Law Office and many more. That night began with a dinner with ex-political prisoner Luis Rosa, the co-writer of the play. He and his family watched the play and felt deeply impacted. Many in the audience felt that the actors truly captured the essence of what it is like to be in prison and truly internalized the feelings of the former and current political prisoners. It was a successful evening, raising over $400. The play has shown in Chicago throughout the entire month of April, with over 150 individuals seeing it. It has also shown at various universities such as Northeastern Illinois University, University of Illinois at Chicago and DePaul University. Over 800 people have been able to experience the play and learn about the political prisoners. In May, the play will tour the east coast with showings in Fitchburg, MA, Cleveland, NY, Hartford, CT, and Boston.
Crime Against Humanity is a co-production by the Batey Urbano & the National Boricua Human Rights Network. It is comprised of 27 scenes taken from interviews held with the ex-political prisoners and written correspondence with the 2 remaining political prisoners makes this play truly an experience with watch. It is the effort of the Batey Urbano and the NBHRN to use this play to educate people about the issue of the political prisoners, to further expose the injustice that two men are still in prison after 28 years and to reinvigorate the campaign for their release.