The three professors discussed this controversy's place in Puerto Rico's relations with the U.S. government. Puerto Rico's residents are U.S. citizens but cannot vote in presidential elections.

The professors accused the U.S.--which has said the Vieques site is crucial to continuing military preparedness--of perpetuating a colonial policy detrimental to Vieques' residents.

"Vieques is the metaphor for Peurto Rico--Peurto Rico does not hold any levers in the decision making process. It is the US government that makes decisions," Rodriquz-Orellana said. "The core of the issue is colonialism, which has already been established to be immoral and illegal."

"America, the first nation to struggle against colonialism and win now remains as the last bastion holding on to colonies," he added.

The professors suggested that the Navy use several uninhabited islands in the Mediterranean Sea as U.S. training bases.

Another highlight of the day's events was a visit from a student group from Dartmouth College, where a petition to pull the Navy out of Vieques is also being circulated.

"The rally gave us an opportunity to address the Harvard community and bring some awareness to the people here," said Hector Rossari, an active member of Dartmouth's Interractial Coalition for Social Change.