Associated Press

BOSTON, June 14 -- A federal appeals court today upheld the convictions and sentences of activist Al Sharpton and three New York politicians who were arrested
during a demonstration against Navy bombing exercises on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques.

Sharpton, along with New York City Councilman Adolfo Carrion, state Assemblyman Jose Rivera and Bronx County Democratic Party Chairman Roberto Ramirez,
were arrested in Puerto Rico on May 1 for trespassing on government property.

Sharpton was given a 90-day sentence because of a prior conviction for civil disobedience. The three others were each sentenced to 40 days.

The men appealed to the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction over Puerto Rico.

They alleged they were denied the right to choose their own attorney and were not given enough time to prepare for their trial. They were tried, convicted and
sentenced in one day in a federal court in Puerto Rico.

Sharpton and the others had from the date of their arrest until their trial on May 23 to prepare, the appeals court noted. "The case was simple and straightforward;
the evidence and witnesses were readily available," the court said.

The appeals court also found that the 40- to 90-day sentences were well within the limits set by the law for a simple misdemeanor, which carries a maximum of six
months.

Sharpton's attorney had argued that the sentences were unreasonable. But the appeals court said: "The district court had valid reasons for imposing the sentences it
did."

The appeals court noted that the judge in Puerto Rico gave the same sentences the day before to another group of defendants -- 40 days for first-time offenders and
90 days for second-time offenders.

Sharpton and the other men have been held at a New York detention center. The four men began a hunger strike on May 29. Carrion ended his fast after a week,
but Sharpton, Rivera and Ramirez continued.

Sharpton and the other men were among approximately 180 protesters arrested this spring during demonstrations against the military exercises.

President Bush said today that the Navy will end its bombing exercises on Vieques by May 2003.

The Navy has used its range on Vieques for six decades and has said the bombing exercises are safe and vital for national security. Critics have said the exercises
poses a health threat to the 9,400 people who live there.

                                               © 2001