A voice for peace and social justice in Central New Yor k
PNL 565
November 198 9
A Dry White Season
By Thabo Raphoto
Starring Marlon Brando,
Susan Sarandon, Zakes Mokae,
Winston Ntshona and Donald
Sutherland. Directed by Euzha n
Paley. Rated R . At the Fayetteville
Cinema 2.
The film, "A Dry White
Season" is based on the nove l
written by Andre Brink, a South
African novelist. This movie
reveals to the world the truth
about how ordinary citizens coul d
be moved to take up the struggle
for justice -- independent of an y
other political organizations of th e
day. Without overstating th e
familiar political arguments fo r
dismantling apartheid, the movi e
distinguishes itself by telling th e
story from the viewpoint of th e
disenfranchised South Africa n
Blacks .
Euzhan Palcy, the firs t
African-American woman to direc t
a Hollywood movie, and the firs t
to reflect on the wave o f
repressions
that followed th e
student uprisings of June 16 ,
1976, has done a realisti c
portrayal of the negative impact of
apartheid on both Black an d
White persons in that country.
What contributed to Palc y
bringing the story with such
realism to the screen is, perhaps,
her focusing on the capacity of
individual citizens to respond t o
injustice as they experience it
directly. The depth of insights
coming out of this movie
surpasses thousands of reams of
documents produced so far on
apartheid .
Dry White Season continued on
page 6
A PRY
trt
5fA-19X
Founded in
193 6
ISSN 0735-4134
Published monthly by the Syracuse Peace Counci l
$yroevie Pewee Coma & e
Dear Peace Council
members,
This is to all of you with
whom I've worked on various SPC
functions over the past 3 1/2
years . As many of you know, I
was very sick last winter wit h
mono . I am still not back to full
health ; the doctor says I have
chronic fatigue syndrome . I am
often tired and nauseous . Thus, I
have curtailed me involvement
with the Peace Council a grea t
deal . This time of illness has
given me an opportunity to look
at the priorities in my life an d
thus I am writing this letter to le t
you know that I will no longer b e
a part of the Peace Council . It' s
not because I'm still sick .
It's because I felt that th e
Lord's calling me. to do different
things, and the number one ite m
is know Him better. I thought I
was leading a good Christian life ,
but I was wrong . I was defining
right and wrong by my ow n
standards and who I thought God
was . I've come to believe that
following our own ideas can lead
to all kinds of trouble and that all
of us need God and His World ,
the Bible, to help us discern wha t
is good -and what is bad . Some of
you are probably thinking, "Wow ,
has she ever been brainwashed! "
No, I feel like Satan did that t o
me for years and no I am trul y
seeing the light, praise God! I met
a wonderful Christian man last
fall, and we plan to marry in the
spring . What a blessing he's bee n
to me!
I have learned a great dea l
from all of you, and I hope t o
keep in touch with those of yo u
with whom I worked closely . I
hope that all of you will know
everlasting peace someday .
A bumpersticker that I
saw over the summer summarize s
my thoughts well :
No Jesus, No Peac e
Know Jesus, Know Peace .
God bless all of you ,
Volunteer corner The Silent Issu e
Well, we don't seem to b e
getting much of a response fro m
all those prospective volunteer s
out there . Maybe Syracuse' s
infamously chilly weather wil l
lead you down to our warm house .
Anyway, here's a run-down o f
some different things you can do
for SPC :
*Write letters to congresspeopl e
and socially un-consciou s
companies
*redesign new promotional flyer s
for SPC and the PN L
*organize a fundraising concert ,
speaker or other progra m
*plan and speak at a Thursda y
night discussion group (everyon e
has something they can tell others
about!)
*offer
your
interio r
design/construction skills to help
reorganize the library, Front Roo m
bookstore and office
*act as an SPC representative a t
a local or national event
*reorganize the disorganized
library
*etc ., etc ., etc . . .
Volunteers can come down
Thursday evenings, from 7 to 9
p.m . to take up these or any other
tasks . Call us at 472-5478 if yo u
want to come down some other
time . We hope to see you SOON!! !
a
SPC will be having
discussion group on Thursday,
Nov. 16, at 7 p .m . on Kurdistan :
The Silent Issue .
The Kurds are an aboriginal
people of the Middle East wit h
history dating back 5000 years .
They are a people without a voice
and without a home . The 23
million Kurds live in an area tha t
stretches into Turkey, Iran, Iraq ,
Syria, and the USSR. Th e
governments of these countrie s
fear Kurdish ethnic strength and
any activity towards sel f
determination, and thus actively
try to suppress and assimilate th e
Kurdish people . Today their
existence is denied by Turkish
officials, they are massacred by
chemical warfare in Iraq, bombe d
in Iran, and forced to be arabized .
in Syria .
Join us at 924 Burnet Ave
for a video, slides, discussion an d
Kurdish desserts .
DON' CRUSH OUR FLOWER S
THEY BELONG TO US.
THEY BELONG TO OUR CHILDRE N
THEY BELONG TO ALL PEOPLE IN THE WHOLE WORLD
THEY EVEN BELONG TO YOU .
DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
BUT YOU DONT UNDERSTAND .
WHAT SHALL I DO TO MAKE YOU UNDERSTAND ?
WHAT SHALL I DO?
M . E . Bozarsian, Kurdish Poet
JoAnn Stak
Mary Van De Weert
11/89 Peace Newsletter 3
Be a Part of Plowshare
If you've ever been to the Plowshare Craftsfair, yo u
know it's impossible to spend only an hour or two there .
You check out the beautiful crafts in every nook an d
cranny of the Plymouth Church . You find old friends, new
babies, smiles from familiar faces . From the upstair s
windows, you can take in a view of the large hall, hamme r
dulcimer music warming the scene . And after surveyin g
all the wares, it's time to pause for some hot and tasty
food, sit down and think over the tough decisions . A
gorgeous big basket for Mom? a painted t-shirt or a leathe r
belt for your brother? those exquisite earrings for yourself ?
There are other ways to soak in the atmosphere an d
really feel a part of Plowshare . Help set up the halls on .
Friday night, as craftspeople pour in — it's a magica l
transformation . Or greet people at the door with a friendly .
welcome and a program . Staff the table of crafts donated ,
to SPC ; or if you're more outgoing, and tend toward th e
absurd, don an outrageous hat and hawk raffle tickets !
And, of course, there's "restoring the house " — that' s
putting the church back to its usual self after the Craftsfai r
closes on Sunday.
More than a Craftsfai r
Yes, you can participate in the creatio n
of Plowshare . We guarantee you a sense o f
community, feelings of goo d - will, and lots
of fun . Plowshare is, after all, not just a
Craftsfair . It's a celebration of talents ,
community, and the work of peace an d
justice .
Call Andy at SPC, 472-5478, or Barbar a
Floch at 424-6015 (don't be shy abou t
leaving messages on their machines) and
find out how you can be a part o f
Plowshare .
Children at Plowshar e
Young children are brought upstairs to
the daycare space so parents can do thei r
shopping in a relaxed mood . We want to
offer this service to parents, and we wan t
childcare to feel the Plowshare spirit, too .
We are brainstorming ways we can help
childcare feel more a part of Plowshare .
But every year we find ourselves beggin g
people to volunteer an hour or two i n
childcare . Should we stop trying t o
organize childcare? Let us know if yo u
want it to continue by calling SPC o r
Barbara — and offering some of you r
Plowshare time to share with the children .
Saturday, Dec :2 loam 5
Sunday, Dec . 3 Noon "9 5
r
FREE ADMISSIONCHILD CARE® ANNUAL PEACE COUNCIL. RAFFLE`
—"
We look forward to seeing you o n
December 2nd and 3rd at Plowshare !
rt
Plymouth Congregational Church
232 E ONONDAGA 5t
Downtown Syracuse across from THE GALLERIES co. Wgrrcn St.
ORGANIZED bytl* SYRACUSE PEACE COUNCI L 924 BURNET AVE, SVR .,N.'! 13203
(315) 472.-547S
IV*
4 Peace Newsletter 11/89
eaG es
Timothy still needs u s
Timothy Jacobs is still in prison, still owes $6,000 and still needs you .
Timothy and Kysta did not get married on Oct . 1 due to hurricane Hugo . They have decided to wait
until May 12 when they can have the wedding they had originally planned. Timothy can use the Charlotte
address of his cousin as a home address so that he will be sent there rather than back to Robeson Count y
when he is released . He expects to be released on parole by Christmas . Letters to the parole board and hi s
attorney, James Parrish, are still necessary, to insure that this will indeed happen .
A video of Robeson County will be shown at 12 :15 p .m. Nov . 5 at May Memorial Unitarian Society.
Timothy speaks at the end of the tape about his commitment to speaking out against drug abuse and
trafficking . Also, original artwork by Timothy will be available as fund raising for his defense .
You can help . Come and see the tape, ask questions and give to Timothy's fund .
Keep writing to :
Timothy Jacob's Fun d
The North Carolina Parole Commissio n Timothy Jacobs
Camp_Green
PO Box 411742
831 West Morgan Street
Charlotte, NC 28241
Raleigh, NC 27603
PO Box 668327
Charlotte, NC 28266 '
Elizabeth Strong
Local activists march
for justice in El Salvado r
On Oct . 16, members of the Syracuse Peac e
Council and the Syracuse University group FERSUS traveled to Washington, DC to take part in th e
CISPES action calling for an end to the US war i n
El Salvador. The protest visibly targeted Congress - especially senators Dodd (D-CT) and Kerry (D MA) -- for its continued and renewed support of th e
war.
Congress just passed appropriations bills t o
give more than $85 million in unrestricted police
and military aid to El Salvador . Minimal
restrictions and conditions on the aid were defeate d
due to actions by Dodd and Kerry and their ,belie f
that only with increased and steady military aid
would the climate be set for negotiations between
the government and the FMLN . Thiy fail to
understand that the military is and always ' has
been most opposed to negotiations and continue d
support will strengthen the military's hand . This
translates into more suffering for the people :
The march began on the steps of th e
Capitol with a rally and speakers from the
Salvadoran community, labor organizations and
college campuses . The roughly 200 activists the n
marched on a Tour of Shame to many congressiona l
office buildings to plant crosses on the lawn s
representing the disappeared and murdered in E l
Salvador. There were denunciations and chants o f
"shame, shame" to the death squad Democrats wh o
fund the repression . The march ended at th e
Rayburn Building with a 42-person blockade of th e
main and side entrances . In addition, four people
occupied each of the offices of Dodd and Kerry an d
were arrested. A number also disrupted Congress i n
the Gallery by unfurling a banner reading, "N o
Blood Money For Death Squad Government in El
Salvador ." In all, 55 were arrested for civi l
disobedience .
The Committee In Solidarity with the
People of El Salvador (CISPES) coordinated th e
action in 12 other locations across the Unite d
States . It came at a historic time to call attention
to the negotiations occurring that day in Costa Ric a
between the FMLN and the ARENA government o f
El Salvador .
Anyone wishing to help with the legal cost s
for the two arrested from Syracuse can contac t
Andy at the Peace Council (472-5478) or send funds
earmarked SPC-El Salvador . Your help would be
gratefully appreciated.
Andy Molloy
DEADLY DEFENS E
Military Radioactive Landfill s
This citizen guide is the first comprehensive survey of th e
radioactive contamination at 16 nuclear weapons productio n
plants . Deadly Defense uses 170 pages with more than 60
maps, diagrams, photos, and tables to explain how bombs are
made and how radioactive waste is generated and spread .
Each book is accompanied by a dramatic 4-color 17' x 22" ma p
showing transportation routes used in the manufacture o f
bombs . To order, send $20 to Literature Dept ., Radioactive
Waste Campaign, 625 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York, N Y
10012 .
I
DONNA K. H E ITZMAN, D .C.
Chiropractor
Network Chiropractic
(315) 469-0676
5208 South Salina Street
Syracuse, New York 1320 5
11/89 Peace Newsletter 5
Dry White Season continued
from the cover
"A Dry White season" is a
story about an African and a n
Afrikander (a South African o f
Dutch ancestry) working together
for justice . From the beggining, w e
notice that the Afrikander
schoolteacher, Ben du Toi t
(Donald Sutherland) had been
contributing financially to th e
schooling of the son of his
gardener . When the gardener,
Gordon, later revealed to Ben that
his beneficiary, Jonathan, had
unjustifiably been beaten by the
police, he got the impression that
Ben, like the majority of White
persons in South Africa, did no t
immediately grasp the magnitud e
of the brutalities Blacks suffere d
under apartheid rule .
Failing to get the kind of
help he first asked for from Ben ,
Gordon began
his
ow n
investigation. He was helped
immensely in his effort by a taxi
driver, Stanley (Zakes Mokae) . No
sooner had Jonathan died i n
detention than did Gordon himsel f
meet the same gruesome fate a t
the torture chambers of the
Johannesburg security polic e
headquarters . Ben began to see
how naive he had been about the
pain
endured
by
hi s
disenfranchised compatriots. As
Ben woke up to the horror o f
apartheid after secretly travelin g
to Soweto to see the remains of
Gordon, we see him make a
decision that would cost him hi s
job. Ben's political developmen t
could be discerned not just in
terms of supporting the poor but
as a process that leads to takin g
up the cause of the poor, whateve r
the cost.
"A Dry White Season" i s
not your average "nice" movie. It
shows that under apartheid even
the most intimate relationship s
are warped. It is loaded with a
spectrum of emotions that are
manifested in the loss of loved
one . My hope is that it will dispe l
the illusion that South Africa is a
land that is full of grace, or a
land where the music is at.
6 Peace Newsletter 11/89
It may interest the viewer
to see how even small childre n
can alert you to depth of
persecution .
We saw a n
uncensored picture of Black
children alerting their parent s
about the presence of the police in
the vicinity: "Mabunu . ..Mama!"
they would cry (it is a crime i n
South Africa to report th e
movement of the police) . This
contrasts sharply with Ben du
Toit's daughter who squealed to
the police . In so far as Whites are
concerned, we deduce
a
phenomenon called "denial," whic h
is analogous to the denial of
alcoholics -- a factor that
contributes to disarray in famil y
relationships . Thus the du Toit
family, as indeed most White
families in South Africa, can
easily live out their lives without
seeming to acknowledge that thei r
Black compatriots suffer untol d
injustices.
The courageous an d
sagacious leadership of individua l
schoolchildren, like the fifteenyear-old Jonathan (Bekhithemba
Mpofu) is given a human
character so lacking in political
debates . In one of the early scene s
in the movie we are witness to
heated
accusations
by
schoolchildren, directed at men
who repair to government-owne d
beer halls immediately after work
instead of lending support to the
student cause for academic
freedom. In yet another scene ,
Jonathan explains to his fathe r
that his generation does not wan t
to live out their lives performin g
subservient roles for whites . But
recalling that in real life hi s
father performs one such role, h e
restates his contention in a way
that would not suggest that h e
does not cherish the dignity o f
labor Gordon performs for a
living: "You are a wise man ,
Baba, and everyone comes to yo u
for help . You s4iould have been a
lawyer, father, not a gardener ."
Later in the movie, we are
witness to Marlon Brando's wellfounded fear 'shared with Ben du
Toit: "I will take your case ; just to
make it abundantly clear to yo u
how justice in South Africa i s
misapplied when it comes to th e
question of race."
Many people are hard put t o
connect White South Africans wit h
anti-apartheid activism. Whether
this movie succeeds from where
"Cry Freedom" left off is a matter
of speculation . The onl y
comparison to be made betwee n
"Cry Freedom" and "A Dry White
Season" is that in the former
Kevin Kline (Donald Wood) had
the rare privilege of viewing Steve
Biko's corpse at the morgue, and
Donald Sutherland (Ben du Toit)
viewed Ngubeni's body at a
funeral home in Soweto .
The movie tells the story
with blatant disregard to home grown human rights agencies tha t
could have been consulted - a s
Marlon Brando, the attorney fo r
the plaintiff, and Donald
Sutherland sought for ways to
expose police brutalities in th e
lab . Having seen the movie, I
wondered what parts of the
original script were not screened ;
according to a CBS interview ,
(Oct. 7) Marlon Brando was upset
with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer fo r
having "failed to release it in al l
it's glory and effectiveness . "
Notwithstanding, the movi e
succeeds
to
reflect
th e
overwhelming
sense
of
commitment in the face o f
fierceful odds put in the way o f
justice and peace by South Africa' s
special branch police officers .
For me, personally, sittin g
there and watching the sneak
preview, I could not manage to
arrest recurring thoughts of ho w
in a sense I was experiencing a
flashback to my high school year s
and torture chambers that became
the setting for parts of the movie .
I could see, through Jonathan, my
own life as a young student i n
Soweto flashing before me o n
celluloid . To see "A Dry White
Season" is to share the pain and
the glory in all its manifestations .
Thabo is the Anti-Apartei d
Project coordinator for America n
Friends Service Committee.
ilv
Fundraiser concerts for peace, justic e
pr,vp/
and environmental groups
By Tom Sielin g
It' s been said that our society funds least
what it needs most . I'm sure most readers of the
Peace Newsletter are all too aware of this .
Are you tired of bake sales, pledge drives ,
sleepless nights writing grant proposals and mor e
sleepless nights wondering how your group can stay
financially afloat? Are the expense column shark s
circling ever-closer to your life raft ?
Does a relaxed evening of uplifting, sociall y
relevant, sometimes-humorous, sometimes-poignan t
folk music with lots of group singing seem a bit
more tolerable ?
I'm a singer/songwriter/activist from Rose ,
New York . I accompany myself with guitar, banjo
and harmonica. For the past decade, I've made
approximately equal shares of my living fro m
music, carpentry and tree farming. Political
activism has taken up most of my energy outsid e
this . After much soul-searching and a lot of support
and encouragement from audiences and friends, I'v e
decided to take the plunge into music as activis m
and a living for the long haul .
Well-publicized community and/or children' s
concerts can be great fund raisers for progressive
causes . After 15 years of song writing, 12 o f
performing and a lot of contact with excellen t
political artists, I have a wide range of materia l
addressing most progressive issues, including the
arms race, environmental issues, Central America ,
racism, sexism, distribution of wealth, housing,
nuclear waste dumps, our everyday lives and many
others .
You've never organized a concert before ?
You're not alone . I can provide all the informatio n
and materials you will need . It's more a matter o f
being timely and thorough than of a large tim e
commitment. I have an excellent sound syste m
capable of providing high-quality sound for up t o
1,000 listeners (but it works fine for 40), s o
anywhere from a living room to a large church o r
community hall is fine . Fees are kept as low as
possible while covering my costs and helping a bi t
towards making a modest living .
Please feel free to call anytime for more
information, demo tapes, or to be included on my
mailing list.
Tom Sielin g
RD # 1
Clyde, NY 1443 3
(315) 587-9512
Tom Sieling
First annual
SANE/FREEZ E
Peace Toy Fair
By Diane Swords
There are many excellent toys which stres s
cooperation, problem solving and peacemaking. But
often these are not as readily available in the
stores as "war toys ." In order to increase awarenes s
about positive toys among parents, teachers and
children, SANE/FREEZE is sponsoring a toy fair .
The first annual SANE/FREEZE Peace Toy
Fair is to take place Saturday Nov . 4 from noon to
4 p .m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church on
Nottingham and Waring roads . The fair include s
toys, games and books for sale, and some which can
be ordered . Many of the toys and games can be
tried out . Refreshments, New Games (cooperativ e
group play) and brief small group discussion s
throughout the day will make this fun, informative
and stimulating for everyone.
This fair is co-sponsored by the American
Friends Service Committee, Educators for Social
Responsibility, and Physicians for Socia l
Responsibility . Toys will be available from Famil y
Pastimes, Wee Folk Tales, the World of Science ,
Discovery Toys TC Timber and others . Ron Shuffler
will provide refreshments .
Enter the raffle to win a wooden train set
donated by TC Timber.
For further information, call th e
SANE/FREEZE office at 478-7442 .
Diane is a SANE/FREEZE worker.
11/89 Peace Newsletter 7
FOOD
The Food Bank of Central New York was established in January of 1985 in response t o
increasing demands on emergency food networks in the region .
The Food Bank provides food assistance to non-profit agencies serving the needy in
Central New York .
More than 137 million tons of food are wasted annually -- enough to feed 49 million
people. Presently there are a total of 20 million hungry Americans, 13 million of whom ar e
children .
Funding for the Food Bank comes from a wide range of community sources representin g
the general public, religious groups, businesses, private foundations and others . In addition, th e
Food Bank receives funding from Onondaga County and administers the New York State
Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) .
The Food Bank operates on a limited budge with administrative costs and overhead hel d
to a minimum . This permits the maximum distribution of food to those agencies serving the
needy. Every $1 worth of food contributed to the Food Bank equates to approximately $15 wort h
of food reaching someone hungry .
Food products received by the Food Bank are donated sources
wholesalers, farmers, retailers, brokers, restaurants and everyone else who plays a role in th e
"food chain ." Using its buying power as a member of the New York State Federation of Foo d
Banks and the Second Harvest Network, the Food Bank of Central New York also provide s
wholesale products to member agencies at cost plus 10 cents per pound.
The Food Bank is presently utilizing donated space at 555 Stewart Drive West, Hancoc k
Field, in North Syracuse . However, due to the growth of the Food Bank and the planned
expansion of the Syracuse Airport, the Food Bank is presently conducting a search for anothe r
facility.
More than 250 non-profit agencies in eleven counties currently receive food from the
Food Bank of Central New York. The Food Bank helps furnhish 150,000 meals per mont h
through client soup kitchens, pantries, day care centers, group homes and shelters .
In 1985 the Food Bank of Central New York distributed 27,000 pounds of food to thirt y
member agencies . At this time an average of 180,000 pounds of food is distribued each month t o
over 250 member agencies.
The Food Bank of Central New York is a non-profit corporation and a certified membe r
of Second Harvest, the national network of more than 200 food banks . In addition, the Food
Bank is a member of the Food Bank Federation ,of New York State . By sharing transportation ,
solicitation and other costs associated with food banking as a member of the Federation, the
Food Bank of Central New York is able to increase its distribution of food throughout th e
region .
Syracuse Wome n
in Black
Syracuse area Jewish women will hol d
monthly silent vigils to protest the Israel i
occupation of the West Bank and Gaza . In
solidarity with 22 other groups in this country and
14 groups in Israel, the Syracuse group is called
Women in Black . Members include Jewish wome n
of diverse beliefs and backgrounds : some have lived
in or visited Israel, some have family in Israel ,
some are children of Holocaust survivors . All are '
united by a desire to end the occupation .
The next vigil will be Nov. 13, 5-6 p .m . at„i
the intersection of E . Genesee Street and Erie '
Boulevard . For information, please call Linda a t
472-9386 .
8 Peace Newsletter 11/89
SYRACUSE
Real Food Cooperativ e
Many Organically Grown And Produced Food s
*Chemical Free Meat
•Organic Produc e
•Soy Products •Fresh Fish Delivered Thursday s
*Nuts, Grains, Seeds and Mor e
A member owned and operetad ware.
Working and non-working
inanbaskips araiMki .
'IRY OUT THE (X}-OP !
SYRACUS E
WY h .d l,~gnMrw
Ns Rwwipten P• .
ion
wwaeon
s,,472.1
6
Monday through Friday 10- 8
Saturday 8-8
Closed Sunday
Community groups
Earth First!
By Todd Rogers
Onondaga Earth First! had
its first meeting on Oct. 16,
finally bringing this important
movement to Central New York .
Earth First! is not an organizatio n
with the usual organizationa l
hierarchies of boards, director s
and memberships . This opens up
the group to the creativity of
those involved, allowing them to
define what the group is .
Earth First! is based on a
philosophy called biocentrism -- a
basic belief that all species have
an equal right to exist, a belie f
that flies in the face of the basic
principles of our society. We take
the hard line on environmental
issues. Most of the pillaging of th e
earth is for profit, as opposed to
the satisfaction of real huma n
needs . We need to end the
compromising
that
ha s
accommodated the destruction .
We see ourselves as a part o f
nature -- not separate from it a s
our judeo-Christian heritage woul d
have us believe . The defense of
the earth is an act of self defense.
We act through the system b y
participating in public hearings ,
writing letters and lobbying ou r
lawmakers . But an important part
of Earth First! is going beyond the
system. We participate in civi l
disobedience actions such a s
blockades of destructive projects .
This movement is here for you
to join in whatever way you fee l
comfortable . If you feel that th e
time has come to sto p
compromising, join us and shar e
your creativity in the defense of
the earth .
Our next meeting is 7 :30 p .m.
Nov. 1 at 749 Euclid Ave . (near
Maryland Avenue) . Successiv e
meetings will be on the first and
15th of each month at this
address at 7 :30 p.m. For
information contact either Todd
Rogers at 478-5993, Andy Molloy
at 471-7312, or Noel Johnson at
696-6199 .
Todd
works
wit h
RECYCLE and Earth First!
RECYCLE FIRST
finds
a new home
By Laurie Attridge
RECYCLE FIRST ha s
recently found a new home at th e
Syracuse Peace Council . We're
settled in what used to be calle d
the penthouse (the upstairs roo m
that has served as a bedroom t o
many beforehand.)
We're looking forward to a
cooperative working relationship
with the Peace Council, an d
envision a crossover of interests
between the two organizations and
the people that are involved i n
them.
In case any of you are
unfamiliar with RECYCLE FIRST,
we're an Onondaga County base d
environmental organization that i s
striving to get the county to adop t
aggressive recycling, reduction ,
composting and reuse programs .
We oppose the construction of th e
oversized, overly expensive an d
polluting garbage incinerator, an d
feel that the county mus t
maximize safe alternatives first .
If you would like mor e
information, would like to becom e
a member, or would like to ge t
involved, give the office a call or
stop on by . Our address and
phone are the same as the Peace
Council's . .. 924 Burnet Ave ., 4725478 . Hope to be hearing from
you!
Laurie is director of
RECYCLE FIRST.
Psssssst!
The phone number for the Central
New York branch of the National
Organization for Women i s
455-7866
Health care
for women
By Barbara Walt z
Do you or someone you care
about keep putting off that yearl y
check-up? Women's Healt h
Outreach may be the program for
you. A nurse practitioner give s
you a general physical exam ,
including a pelvic exam and Pa p
Smear. Public health nurse s
screen for diabetes, hypertension
and anemia . They also offer a
variety of health information and
education.
Women's Health Outreach
conducts two clinics a week at the
Civic Center and several othe r
clinics throughout the areas of
Onondaga County . For furthe r
information on the sites availabl e
to you in Onondaga County an d
an appointment, please call 425 3653.
Barbara is the public health
assistant for Women's Health
Outreach Program in Onondaga
County .
The 1990 Peace Calendar
Hauling Up Mornin g
Poetry and Images of Latin Americ a
5'/2 X 8'/s desk
calendar
$8 .95 each/Four for $32 .00
Order front : War Resisters League
339 Lafayette St ., Dept . L
New York, NY 1001 2
Or write for free brochure for more details .
Watch for news o n
the Oct . 7 Housing Now! marc h
and
SPC's Fairness Doctrine cas e
in the next PNL .
11/89 Peace Newsletter 9
Community group s
SNIPP update
WIMAI
By Brent Bleier
This active network of organization, group s
and individuals has discussed a number of loca l
happenings and tried to help plan some for the
near future . We've been very encouraged by the
monthly vigils to end the Israeli occupation of th e
West Bank and Gaza held by the Women in Black,
which have generated good press coverage and
helped refocus debate within the Jewish
community . Also, a good turnout for the Universit y
College lecture-discussion course, "Ending the Arab Israeli Conflict : How and Why", has been reported .
The energy going into the Witness for Mid Eas t
Peace has quickly moved this project closer t o
reality : an upstate delegation is now being formed !
In coordination with the network, the Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee ha s
planned a Dec . 5 commemoration for the somber
second anniversary of the ongoing Palestinian
uprising, the Intifada, 7 :30 . p.m. at First
Universalist Church, Nottingham and Warin g
roads. Following a candlelight vigil, two wome n
speakers are scheduled : Ghada Talhami, former
chairperson of the Palestinian Human Right s
Campaign and a Palestinian author currently
teaching in Chicago who was well-received her e
previously; and Leslie Lempert, a Jewish activis t
with the American-Israeli Civil Liberties Coalition,
who divides her time between Israel/Palestine an d
Ithaca, NY. A coffee hour will follow . A number of
organizations are consideration endorsement of thi s
event.
Our network has discussed holding a pres s
conference or event to mark the Nov . 15 first
anniversary of the Palestine Declaration o f
Independence, but plans are tentative . For
information, call be at 479-5393 .
Brent is a member of the Syracuse Network
for Israeli-Palestinian Peace .
Christina Platt
Fur Free Friday
By Linda DeStefano
On Friday, Nov. 24 from 11 :30 a.m. until 1
p.m . in front of a Syracuse fur store in downtow n
Syracuse, People for Animal Rights will continue it s
tradition of picketing stores that sell fur . The day
after Thanksgiving is considered the busies t
shopping day of the year, so it's a good time t o
remind shoppers that fur "fashion" causes muc h
unnecessary suffering and death .
How is fur obtained? Some animals ar e
beaten to death, such as seals . (Although some of
the slaughter of seals for fur has stopped, som e
continues .) Some animals (the raccoon and many
others) are caught in steeljaw, leghold traps an d
wait in agony for many hours or even days fo r
death . Some animals (such as foxes and minks) ar e
raised on fur farms . After spending an unnatura l
life in cramped cages, the victim is electrocuted ,
gassed or strangled . There is no pretty way t o
create the "glamour" of fur .
If you want to join us or just want mor e
information about the issue, contact People for
Animal Rights, 148 W . Beard Avenue, Syracuse, NY
13205 by letter or phone Norma at 492-0459 (unti l
11 p.m.) or Linda at 475-0062 (8 a .m. to 10 :45
p.m.)
Our demonstration is in cooperation with
Trans-Species Unlimited, which organized a hug e
parade on "Fur Free Friday" last year and i s
planning an even bigger one this year in New York
City.
Linda is a PAR worker.
Special $25.00 Initial Consultatio n
Financial Consultant
specializing i n
Socially Responsible Investing
MARGARET SULLEVAN .CIH EN, MA, (CS/
CERTIFIED SOCIAL WORKER
INDIVIDUAL / FAMILY COUNSELIN G
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413-734-731 1
800-332-9388 M A
800-628-9046 NA"I"L.,
10 Peace Newsletter 11/89
(315) 445-8985
CLARITY • ENERGY • NURTURANC E
SLIDING-SCALE FEE
Education for a free South Africa :
Creating a home in exile
By Lin Nelson
Last of a two-part series
June 16, 1989 . Mazimbu, Tanzania . Th e
Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College -- primarily a n
educational project, but also a refugee center - plays a powerful role in the anti-apartheid struggle.
These are the comments of one young high schoo l
teacher : "We need SOMAFCO -- not just to educate
individual exiles, but as a proving ground, as a
place to learn from our mistakes, as a base for
freely determining our future . There are difficultie s
here -- lots of them . But it is interesting, a unique
challenge, a time and place to be creating
ourselves, our place in the world community. Whe n
you think about what this all looked like 10 year s
ago, it is amazing."
His sentiments -- his pride and sense o f
adventure -- were shared by many others . An olde r
woman who has long been away from home tol d
me, "I can't wait for the freedom days when we ca n
show people back home what the ANC has create d
here . It will give them hope and direction . "
But SOMAFCO is not some utopian oasis .
Often there are serious shortages of basic resource s
-- construction materials, educational supplies ,
books, and a dangerous shortage of drugs an d
medical equipment to cope with the malaria ,
respiratory diseases and emotional disorders (whic h
afflict the victims of torture, detention and
isolation .) There are South African security forces - the "securocrats" -- going to great lengths t o
destabilize the liberation efforts throughout th e
frontline states (there was an attempt to poiso n
SOMAFCO's water supply .) And there are
persistent problems of coordination -- aggravated b y
the sudden influx of unannounced and distraugh t
refugees .
The African National Congress communitie s
at Mazimbu and Dakawa are more than building
projects and educational programs . They are th e
gathering place for a complex network of people - people trying to deal with their differen t
backgrounds and needs as they create a commo n
future . The SOMAFCO director, schoo l
administrators, teachers and parents talk about the
variety of predicaments that bring people there .
There are children born to ANC exiles i n
Mozambique ; speaking only Portuguese, thes e
children come to SOMAFCO, where it takes them a
very long time to feel at home . There are the
children who know only SOMAFCO as home an d
who will come to understand their homeland onl y
through the careful guidance of their teachers .
There is the very confident 8 year old who, havin g
been on the run for many years, must find the
fortitude to return to school and be in classes wit h
those advanced 8 year olds . At the guesthouse, I
watched people in their 50s and 60s pore over basi c
literacy texts as they tried to make up for years o f
being excluded from all educational opportunities .
The teachers at SOMAFCO have taken o n
extraordinary jobs . They are not only teachers, bu t
community activists -- and above all guardians of
the children who more often than not are separate d
from families who have endured deaths, detentions ,
and disappearances . One teacher described the
challenges, "One the one hand, we have to kee p
people inspired about the general struggle for a fre e
South Africa, to bring them together around a
common vision . We also have to be very practica l
about education -- everyone who knows must teac h
those who don't. We also have to be attentive t o
the needs of the student who slowly starts t o
withdraw into a depression, who loses sight of wh y
he is here and whose deep wounds are opened a t
every new report of a torture or of state action
taken against demonstrators . "
While teachers have to be ready to suppor t
the very needy and troubled students, mos t
students seem vitally involved in the governanc e
and culture of the community . They have a weekly
newspaper, there is a community radio station, an d
on a daily basis they meet to listen to and dissec t
the international news . High school students I
spoke with reported that they were encouraged t o
critically examine and help change the curriculum.
Despite the agonies of family separation, the
intimidating demands of the educational progra m
(high school students take exams which ar e
externally reviewed in England), and the daily
expectations to be both dedicated students an d
committed activists, teenagers at SOMAFCO di d
not seem to be living with severe stress or despair .
In fact, the community seemed to be on e
characterized by much optimism . One graduating
student who hoped to become a pharmacist to "b e
deployed wherever I'm needed" said "There is n o
reason to give up hope . Who here can give up hop e
to return to their homeland, to find their family?
There is a lot to look forward to . "
As a visitor to SOMAFCO, I hear firsthan d
of the unspeakable -- a 60-year-old mother of nine
held in solitary for six months ; a man just released
from almost two decades of misery in Robbe n
Island ; a young boy so distraught about the loss o f
his father that he searches into the face of a
newcomer and asks "are you my father? Please ar e
you my father?" and walks away shattered as he i s
reminded that his father is still disappeared .
SOMAFCO continued on page 12
11/89 Peace Newsletter 11
SOMAFCO continued from page 1 1
But SOMAFCO is not a depressing place . It is the opposite . There is much to look forward to . A
longtime ANC activist visiting from Lusaka, Zambia says "I spoke to some of the little ones here this morning .
Four and five year olds . They speak boldly -- with confidence, curiosity . They said to me, `you must be a guest .
Where are you from? Tell us about yourself . ' I laugh and tell them • that they are the new ones and when w e
all go home, I'm afraid they will boss me around ." She laughs . "And we will be going home . The resistance is
strong. And the resistance among whites is growing . . . more and more are sick of apartheid, it is no way fo r
any nation to conduct itself. They are embarrassed and tired . The Mothers Against War do not want thei r
children wasted for an immoral and idiotic campaign . Recently, some while Afrikaner attorneys met -- quietly ,
without publicity -- with ANC attorneys . I think it went well . The future is coming." O
Lin won a national raffle run by the African National Congress ; the prize was a trip to Mazimbu ,
Tanzania .
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Exchange San Fran CA 94103
For Appt . or Seminar Info :
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471-8249
476-8024
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other, to women, and to kids ; the one that's
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12 Peace Newsletter 11/89
Community Darkroom s
316 Waverly Avenue
(Watson Theatre Complex)
443-2450
Includes use of our new Amiga 2000 compute r
A Nicaraguan Diary
By Joan Goldberg
Last of a two-part series.
Here are notes I made from charlas
various
("chats") with representatives of
organizations :
Organizacion de Revolutionario
La
Descapacitados -- Open to anyone with a physical
or mental disability, this group is committed to
empowering people to find a place in society rathe r
than being marginal and to sensitizing th e
government to their needs . The focus is o n
architectural barriers and accessibility of schools ,
health centers, banks, parks, movie theaters an d
bus stops. Members don't want the new society t o
include discrimination of disabled . They want to
change the way society looks at them and the wa y
they feel about themselves .
The CDS (Sandinista Defense Committee) -This group works directly with the people in thei r
community to solve problems related to their basic
needs . Its present priority is educating people about
health issues . This is very difficult and takes tim e
to change ideas and people's ways of thinking.
Ministry of Economy, Industry and
Commerce -- The Sandinistas have been able to put
some curbs on inflation . They had no prior
experience in government; they inherited an old
technology and a large foreign debt. Because a
large percentage of their budget has to be used fo r
defense, there is less for civilian consumption.
Presently, there exists an economy of surviving, no t
yet one of reconstruction . Nicaragua can never grow
on its own if dependent.
Ciudad Sandino -- I talked with teachers inthe adult education program . The same situation s
exist there -- mostly women enroll in the programs,
there is a high drop out rate because of persona l
and family problems, husbands feel threatene d
because the wives are becoming literate.
We share many problems -- singe-paren t
families, domestic violence, alcoholism and th e
"invisibility" of those with mental and physica l
disabilities.
My friends donated items for me to take :
crayons, pens, pencils, pads ; a bag filled with gauz e
bandages and aspirin and Tylenol samples from a
doctor friend, two dozen toothbrushes from m y
dentist. We distributed these to the neighborhood
children and their families -- their joy and
appreciation for these simple gifts were ver y
moving.
It has been very important to me to tell the
story of what I experienced to the media and t o
friends, family and acquaintances. For some, it has
validated what they already believe ; for others, it
presented another perspective . My friend's son
wants to quote me in his column in his college
14 Peace Newsletter 11/89
newspaper . A neighbor has asked me to speak to a
local town historical society . A friend wrote, " I t
certainly provides us with deeper insight when w e
read the papers . "
A very special part of the trip was meetin g
Juana' s brother. Juana and her family are E l
Salvadorean refugees who were recently in publi c
sanctuary in Syracuse . About ten years ago he r
brother disappeared from El Salvador and everyon e
assumed he was dead . Them about a year ago hi s
family received a telephone call from him . He had
been living in Managua for the past six years . I
met him when I was there and we spent hour s
looking at photographs of his family that I brough t
with me and talking about their lives now . When I
returned, I visited Juana and her family in Canada
(where they are now living), bringing bac k
photographs and letters for them . I was able to
make the connection for them that right now the y
cannot make for themselves . It brought home to m e
in a very personal way the effects of ou r
government's policies on people whom I care about .
As I write this, the United States is doin g
everything possible to discredit the upcoming'
elections (February 1990) in Nicaragua, making i t
impossible for a free and independent Nicaragua t o
exist. Delegitimizing Nicaragua's elections is key to
the U .S. 's efforts to destabilize Nicaragua . If the
elections can be condemned, then th e
administration will be able to justify continue d
aggression .
Congress recently approved sending mor e
than 9 million dollars to aid the Nicaraguan
elections . In his letter to me of Sept . 18 ,
Congressman Walsh stated : "I also do not believe
we should become involved in their upcomin g
elections . . . other than to send a team of onlookers
Mr. Walsh then voted for the funding. (Th e
election reform law of Oct . 1988 permits donation s
from abroad, half of which may be made to politica l
parties, the other half to finance election expenses . )
It is urgent that this money not be used to
influence or to undermine the elections .
What can we do locally ?
1. Keep writing Congressman Walsh and
others in Congress demanding that the U .S . not b y
involved in the- elections, challenging the
disinformation and holding them accountable fo r
their actions . Send copies to local newspapers .
2. You or your group can participate in the
campaign by contributing to Nicaragua Network
and Quest for Peace to supply the Nicaraguan
government with much-needed pens, pencils an d
markers for the elections . For information call (202)
223-2328 .
3. Contact Witness for Peace (422-9299) fo r
additional actions you can take, to obtain a
Citizen's Campaign Press Kit, and/or to participat e
in a special election delegation to Nicaragua.
SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI
1
2
3
EVERY SUN.P gple's 80
Minutes Cooke Cable Ch. 7 ,
8pm 472-5478
Every tat end 3rd Moe .
Syracuse Real Food coo p
Council meets, 7pm
EVERY SUN. South Africa Now
weekly news from South Africa
5pm WCNY Channel 24 .
5
Sunday Night Underground at
Sdrine Student Center. Into
same as above. 7-term
19
Sunday Night Undergroundta
Schine Student Center : Info
same as above . 7-11pm
7
c
EVERY WED. Alliance
meets at ECOH 6p m
475-4120 for
into.
EVERY TUES. Lesbian &
Gay Youth mtgs . 6-9pm
13
Women In Black vigil to protest
the Israeli oaupation of the
West Bank and Gaza
Intersection of E. Genesee St.
and Erie Blvd . 5 6prn Cal Lind a
for into. 472-9386
Overview of Earthwak ,
enviom mental form of triba l
leaders from Africa, Australia.
New Zealand, and the U.S
.
OCPL Petit Branch, 105 Vidorfa
Place 7pm call 148 4700
Final Deadline
For PNL Artidee and ADS
27
E VERY SUN : Support Group for
people with
labsi
s
l 3-5pm Plymouth
rtxxn
Congreationa
eatfonffi Church
8
tt/3,11/S'TheSnald n 9 Roots ,
EVERY THURS. Arise Women's a play about minorities with
support group. 10-1130am cal l AIDS. 8evard Room Civic Ctr.
425-2121 for into. 8p m
472-3171
'Gender and Conflict . Personal
and Political' by Terry Northru p
EVERY 2nd and 4th THUR.
of PARC Rm. 302 Schine
Gay and Lesbian Alliance of
Student Ctr . Fri. Lunch Series
Syr . (GLAS) 730pm ECOH
12noon-fpm.
9
EVERY FRL Act -Up
ECOH 7ppm
"Native American Women and
AIDS ; by Kally Martin . Rm. 302
Schine Student Ctr. noon-fpm
11/10-11/12 Statewide Cont. o n
Toxic Waste . Mario Cuomo, Lois
Gibbs, etc . Workshops, tours .
Travel and conference
scholarships available Call Lin
Nelson for into . 471-6187
10
EVERY THURS. AIDS
Bereavement Grp . AIDS Tas k
Force 7pm
SANE/FREEZE msg . Pat
Rector 446-2380
20
EVERY SUN : Metropolita n
Community Church
6prn, Grace Episcopal
C
4 71-061 8
Election Day
'Disciple Is rata dirty word :
Parenting skills with young
dWdren• King of King s
Lutheran Church . Liverpool.
7-8 :30pm
Pople for Animal Rights Mtg .
7pm Call Linda for info.
475-0062
New Jewish Agenda monthl y
mtg . call 479-5393 for Info.
26
EVERY TUES.Syr. Covenan t
Sanctuary Mtg . 7pm May
Memorial Church
EVERY TUES
. Lesbian d Gay
Youth Program Support Grou p
meets 6-9pm call 422-9741
6
'Hold on :Robeson County's
Fight for Justice.' Video and
artwork about Timothy Jacob's
struggle against racist and
religious violence . May Memorial
Unitarian Society . 1225pm
Sunday Night Underground at
Schine Student Center Meet fo r
free co fee and tea and hea r
singers, speakers and
performing artists. Presented by
the Westcott
M usic
Assoc
.
As-71t
1 pm Call Lee Spintds
for info. 428-bA?1
1 2
EVERY TUES. 'Evening with
Arabesque ; Arabic televisio n
show. Channel 7, 7pm
EVERY MOH: ARISE Men's
Group 2~30pm . 472-3171
14
EVERY TUES. AIDS Support
Grp. 7pm AIDS Task Force of
CNY 627 W . Genessee St .
475-2430
Help People for Animal Right s
mail out their newsletter. 7pm
Call Linda for into. 475-0062
21
Socialist Forum 7pm at ECOH
Declaratio n
16
15 Paleetnisin
of Independence
'Families L akin9:itnP~'in 9
communication skills an d
resolving conflicts peacefully '
King of Kings Lutheran Church ,
71 l. 7-8 .oprn cat
4
Final DeedMro PNL Calenda r
hems JoAnnStak 472. 6478
If groups listed change regular
mtg. times or places, please le t
us know.
TUES
. Y~ Class 29
28 EVERY
7
Into
s3gxn women ..
6p1 Alisn 17en Int
t
loon 27th C .D.
nag Hoppe Memorial 1110 S .
State St . 472-433 1
EVERY TUES . Meditation ta
Slocum House. 45 min.
sessions at Y15am, 12 : 1
5 :1
7:1 5pm. Cali sister
Patricia
'Bergen 475-281 1
General
11
Veterans Day
(U.S .)
Remembrance Day
(Britian)
Film: 'The Life and Times of
Harvey Milk' sponsored by
GLAS . ECOH . Refreshments
available 730pm 422-5732
Thanksgiving
17EVERY F . Country Dancing
8-10pm, Grace Epfs. Ch. $3
'Life and Letters at Princess
Etta," by Helen Reed, Rm. 302
Schine Student Ctr. Women
Studies Program Semina r
noon-fpm
ACLU BIN of Rights cabaret at
Moving? Please save us 30 e
MMUS. Call ACLU office for
and let us know before hand .
more
Into.
25
24
EVERY TOES Meeting wit h
those infected with HIV/AID S
AIDS Task Force of CNY
EVERY TUES. New
Assoc. Meditation 730
E . 8pm
475-4188
4
18
11/13-11/17 PNL Production
Come down to hey put
together the December PNLI
Call Jo Ann 472-5478
23
22
SAT
Ame
America
Vigil 730am,Fed
r .bldg
Fur Free Friday. Protest the fu r
business with the
c for
Animal Rights front
is &
Dey's on S . Salina St .
1130-fpm, 492-045 9
EVERY FRI: Gay Mans Support
Group, Metropolitan Community
Church at Grace Episcopal
730pm 471-6618
30
ofUnio Pdestinian
at Schiele Student Ctr . SU
crinvos
PNL Mailing Patty
Call JoAnn at 472-5478 for Into
tO
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EVERY THURS : SPC Volunteer~ :?' : :~:?~ :"% :t':` :` :?''' : : : :: :~ :? :sr'i: :'.` :~ :tai'.'•` .% :? : : :~ : : : :'~i~ ~
"::::•
'!i<!vi::}iiii}iiii: ~iiiiii'rii::jiii
Night, 7-9P m, Lots of fun
472-5478 for into.
'Stressed To the Limit' woits~ P
for youth . King of King s
Lutheran Cher
Church, Liverpool . Cal l
Death Penally Vigil, noon
471-4676 for info . 7-8 30Pm
Columbus Circle 475-4822
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