WASHINGTON (AP) -- Leaders of groups opposed to U.S. Navy presence on
                  the Puerto Rican island of Vieques urged President Bill Clinton on Wednesday to
                  reverse a ruling that would allow the Navy to continue activities there until May
                  2003 unless Vieques residents decide otherwise in a referendum.

                  The appeal was made at a press conference which was part of a nationwide
                  "National Day of Solidarity with the People of Vieques, Puerto Rico."

                  It was a year ago today that a civilian security guard, David Sanes Rodriguez,
                  died when a U.S. Marine Corps jet dropped two bombs off target. Four others
                  were injured.

                  The media event included a series of speakers who denounced the live fire and
                  bombing practices that have been conducted on Vieques by the Navy for more
                  than 60 years.

                  "Can you imagine this happening in the Florida Keys?" asked Juan Figueroa, who
                  heads a legal education group.

                  He also attributed racist motives to the Navy.

                  "It is not a coincidence that the majority of the (Vieques) population is black
                  Puerto Rican," he said.

                  In response to criticism that the Navy's activities were having a ruinous effect on
                  the island's environment, the Navy issued a statement Tuesday that it is "firmly
                  committed to the environment" and will continue to work to ensure that "all
                  applicable environmental standards" are complied with.

                  Activists were planning a rally near the White House this afternoon in their
                  campaign against the Navy presence.

                  In late March, the House backed Clinton's plan to provide $40 million for
                  economic, health and environmental aid to people who live near the Navy's firing
                  range on Vieques.

                  After Sanes' death a year ago, protesters moved onto the bombing range, forcing
                  the Navy to suspend its exercises. Navy officials say training there is essential.

                  Under a January agreement between Clinton and Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro
                  Rossello, the $40 million in aid would be provided and exercises at Vieques
                  would resume, though only with inert bombs.

                  In addition, there would be a referendum -- probably next year -- in which local
                  residents could choose between the resumption of training with live bombs and
                  exercises with dummy bombs until a Navy withdrawal in May 2003.