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1-31-1993

Resist Newsletter, Jan. 1993

Resist

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Recommended Citation Resist, "Resist Newsletter, Jan. 1993" (1993). Resist Newsletters. 250. https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/resistnewsletter/250 Inside: RF.SIST's 25th Anniversary Photo Essay

ISSN 0897-2613 • Vol. 2 # 1 A Call to Resist Illegitimate Authority January, 1993 Ethnic Cleansing in Serbia: Anti-War Activists Document War Crimes in the Former Yugoslavia

JASMINKA UDOVICKI

Ethnic Cleansing - for many ofus these words are the most horrify­ ing ofeuphemisms. How is it possible that such words can even be said, much less used as justification for a military campaign? Yet it is just these words, and this idea, that we must confront if we are to find a. way to respond. In the last issue of RESIST, Jas­ minka Udovicki described the impor­ "ttlnce ofgovernment-controlled televi­ sion in promoting and maintaining the Serbian war against its neigh­ boring territories. She emphasized the critical need for independent reporting ofwar crimes and human rights viola­ Marketplace, in the center ofVmlrovci, Yogoslavia. Attached to this tree are funeral/mourning cards for local tions as the only way to break the con­ victims ofwar. Photo: Teun Voeten. IMPACT VISUALS viction on the part ofmany Serbs-that tions. Slobadan Milosevic, with his racist For this article, Udovicki edited fro1n Belgrade, things started hap­ and nationalist agenda,, is their neces­ an interview she conducted with Bel­ pening last spring. A large group of sary defender. In the intervening time, grade anti-war activist Natasha Serbian refugees, from Croatia, U.S. pressure on the Sanctions Com­ Kandic about her role in bringi.ng to whose houses and farms were burned mittee of the United Nations Security light the tragedy ofethnic cleansing as and destroyed during the Croatian Council successfally led to the exemp­ it has been perpetrated in one area of war, in the fall of 1991, were brought tion from sanctions ofindependent 1V Serbia. The interview was conducted to Hrtkovci in the hope that they · Studio B and the independent daily in Serbo-Croatian and translated into could be resettled there, at least Borba. Both institutions are now English by Udovicki. . while the war was still going on. allowed to import equipment and Anti-war activists in Bdgrade specu­ · printing paper. These are the only Ser­ n a little Serbian village of late that Hrtkovci was purposefully bian institutions that received exemp- I Hrtkovci about an hour drive continued on page six Weve received /,ots of mail over the past by Hurricane Iniki. We are currently people to be able to fight for their right coupk ofmonths, and it has been exciting working with the Martin Luther King, to decent housing. to make new connections, and renew oU Jr. Week Commission to reschedule the Thanks again for your support, and ones, with RESIST supporters past and Week to coincide with their activities in your 2 5 years of involvement in, and present. Here are some excerpts ... . January, 1993. assistance to, the struggle for justice. We have begun initial planning for Paul Gattone Dear Friends, our first International Month of Peace, The Southern Arizona This is both a personal greeting to and would welcome your input and People's Law Center those of you I know, but, far more, it is support. The theme is Many Cul­ Tucson, AZ 85705 an organizational birthday greeting tures/One Family ... and is being pre­ from one of your elder companions on sented in support of the UN Interna­ Dear Sweet But Very Tough Radicals: the path of resistance to illegitimate tional Year for the World's Indigenous Well you're not really all that tough authority. People .... - why at 72 I bet I could out tickle From all of us here at WRL, (and Thank you for your work for peace you - YEAH! Hang in there and we'll be, collectively, 70 years old next and social change. I look forward to watch for the revolution - it's just year) to all of you, congratulations on hearing from you in the near future. around the corner like it was in 1965. making it this far and may we, together, Warmest Aloha, In solidarity and love. iSi Se Puede! help create the conditions that put us Howard Shapiro Jerry Robinett out of business, so that we don't live to Performing and Fine Artists Tucson,AZ be 100 and you don't have to make it to for World Peace RESIST welcomes your ktters with com­ 70! Lihue, Kauai, Meanwhile, let's have fun, and a ments and suggestions about issues raised Hawaii birthday cake. Ah! We remember how in the newsktter, your ideas for future exciting it was to be a mere 25 year old Dear RESIST, articks, and your thoughts about 25 years of work for social justice. Please let organization! Just emerging from I wanted to write on behalf of the us know your ktter is not meant for WWII and looking forward to what we Southern Arizona People's Law Center if publication. hoped would become a warless world. to congratulate all of you on your 25 Reality has aged us a bit - but never years of struggling for progressive enough to accept reality. change. We at the People's Law Center Peace, are proud to have been chosen for a David McReynolds recent RESIST grant, and to have been War Resisters League able to join the long list of organiza­ NewYork,NY tions receiving RESIST grants. I also wanted to let you know that Ed Note: Weil like to take this opportuni­ our low-income tenant organizing pro­ ty to thank you, Dave, for all your sup­ ject is going along really well. Each day port, and for contributing the striking tenants from government subsidized photo of draft card burners that now and private housing all over the city call graces RESIST's 25th anniversary our community advocate to get infor­ ILLEGITIMATE AUIIIORlff mation on how they can organize to ,-..,""'1 ~-,J ~ ""'e 1'61 brochure! For l• form• llon and 1n• t 1uldell•es write to: fight for better housing. We are work­ Rnls{, Ont Summer St ., Somenllle, MA 02143 Dear Friends, ing very hard to coordinate this work so The RESIST Newsletter is published ten On behalf of the Performing and that a city-wide low-income tenants times a year by RESIST, Inc., One Fine Artists for World Peace, I would union that has grown out of this work Summer Street, Somerville, MA 02143. like to congratulate your organization will take hold. (617) 623-5110. The views expressed in articles, other than editorials, are those The need for such an organization for promoting social change for the past of the authors and do not necessarily 25 years. We look forward to working could not be greater. Each day we real­ represent the opinions of the RESIST with you in 1993. Our focus for the ize more and more that the housing staff or board. upcoming year is environmental protec­ conditions of low-income people are RESIST Staff. Nancy Wechsler tion and promoting the native rights of seriously deficient. We also realize that Nancy Moniz indigenous people. this condition will not change with Newsletter Editor: Tatiana Schreiber Our International Week of Peace legal work alone. This is why our office Typesetting: W Graphics Printing: Red Sun Press that was scheduled for September was has continued to work to help to Printed on Recycled Paper ...... ,,. cancelled due to the devastation caused empower and organize low-income

P11ge Two Resist Newsletter ]1tnuary. 1993 RESIST Turns 25 with Flash, Spirit, and lots of Our Friends... RESIST commemorated its next October with articles and com­ deep thanks to everyone who helped 25th anniversary with a Boston cele­ mentary in the newsletter, an art make the Boston party such a great bration that looked back to our show next fall, and regional events success. The spirit of community beginnings assisting Vietnam War in different parts of the country. and comradeship it generated resisters; mused over the con­ We want to thank the Cape Cod should keep us inspired for quite tradictions, victories, and struggles Fellowship of Reconcilation who awhile. Thanks especially to all the of our adolescence; and glimpsed held a RESIST birthday event in groups that made panel displays. our future, as young performers October and sent us a lovely banner; The thought and creativity that made clear that their voices will not those of you who have expressed went into these were wonderful to go unheard in the years ahead. In interest in sponsoring an event, see. We'll be getting your panels this issue we present a photo essay please contact us again and we'll back to you as soon as we can so be for those who couldn't get to the help set it up. To those who want patient and call if you need yours party. And we'll continue to cele­ ideas, call Tatiana at the office ... back right away. • brate our anniversary year through We want to again expre~s our .

Handling the hosting were RESIST board members mzyne O'Neil and Renae Scott, and former RESIST staffer Madge Kaplan. Photo: Stan Honda

One ofthe brightest parts ofthe evening was the performance by ''Special Force, "a youth group from the Roxbury Boys and Girls Club led by an exhuberant Kim­ berly Bridges.

Photo: Stan Honda Photo: Stan Honda

¼L2, #1 Resist Newsletter P11ge Three RESIST's_~versary Party

Photo: Stan Honda Photo: Stan Honda Some RESISTgrantees did an amazing job ofincluding their enti.re Friends ofRESIST gave organiza,ti.onal histories on their wall panels, but intrepid RESISTers solidarity greeti.ngs and let us carefully read everything. All the panels were beauti.fal bvt :he know they plan to keep keeping Reproducti.ve Rights Network panel in shockingpink, was a stand­ on ... out. There were also panels from prisoner's right! groups, housing acti.vists, low-income women organizers, Central America solidarity workers, cultural organiza,ti.ons, and more.

Photo: Nancy Wechsler Donna Finn ofthe Dorchester 'Womens Committee

Some 400 people came to the parry, including members ofgroups RESIST has fonded, current andformer board and staffmembers, and RESIST supporters past_ and present. It was a rare chance to see all those folks you never see except at meeti.ngs, to schmooz.e, and to Susan Moir and Ed Hunt of enjoy the fact that we're all still in this together. Photo: Stan Honda GALLAN Photo: Nancy Wechsler

Page Four Resist Newsletter ]anllllry, 1993 RESIST's Anniversary Party

Photo: Stan Honda Dancing was to the international Latino rhythmr of"Macondo," with Claudio Ragazzi, Alex Alvear, Igor Atalita, Carlos Cordova, Sixto Ayala, and with the amazing voice ofOlga Roman. Members ofthe band want RESIST readers to know they're available for booking...

Photo: Nancy Wechsler Poet Kate Rushin, a long-time friend ofRESIST and ofher Boston fans, warmed up the crowd with her own work, and also led offwith a poem by RESIST board member Grace Paley who couldn't attend, but whose presence was felt by all

Dr. Yolanda Huet Vaughn, army reservist and GulfWar Photo: Nancy Wechsler resister reminded all ofus ofwhy Derrick Jackson shares a few words with fellow journalist Madg_e we are here and ofall the work Kaplan. Looking on are Maggie Cohn (Red Sun Press) and Tatiana that still needs to be done to Schreiber, RESIST's glad-that-it-finally-actually-happened 25th prevent farther travesties like the Anniversary Event Coordinator. U.S. wa~ in the Persian Gulf

Paul Lauter, one ofthe founders ofRESIST and current board member, makes a point about how all this started.

Photo: Nancy Wechsler Photo: Nancy Wechsler

Vol 2, #1 Resist Newsletter Page Five War Crimes

continued from page one about helping the Croatians in man, Nedeljka Samu and Aleksa chosen by the Serbian authorities Hrtkovci. Here is Natasha's story of Ejic, to speak first and say something because of its ethnically mixed popu­ how she organized the people in the about their own observations and lation of Serbs and Croats. Their village to resist the pressure to leave experiences. hope, most likely, was that the pres­ their homes, their country. "They spoke beautifully, simply, ence of a large number of homeless, and with a great deal of feeling. They destitute Serbs from Croatia, many "I got interested in what was were talking about [Croatian] people of whom were on crutches, would going on in Hrtkovci after reading they had been living with their put pressure on the Croats living in an article in Borba (the independent whole lives. Yes, there was a lot of the village to move out and resettle anti-war Belgrade daily) back in pressure on their neighbors to move in Croatia. March. I realized immediately that out, they said, and yes, at times this These refugees, mostly young the only way to help these people pressure was terrifying. They had men, were from Western Slavonia, a region that had suffered ferocious • attacks during the Croatian War. Five, ten, fifteen people would barge into someone's yard and start Their homes were destroyed, their yelling, cursing, demanding that the whole family move out the next family members were killed, and sur­ da,y, or else. They called people names, they threatened to blow up the vivors lost arms and legs defending their own houses. Soon after their house. It uzsted for weeks. For many it became intolerable. arrival in Hrtkovci, the refugees were • organized by the Serbian Radical was to publicize their case as much seen it themselves. Five, ten, fifteen Party, an ultra-right group, whose as possible. I decided that the best people would barge into someone's position - that all Croatians living [approach] would be to organize a yard and start yelling, cursing, in that part of Serbia must pick up panel discussion about what was demanding that the whole family and leave as soon as possible - was going on, between about forty Bel­ move out the next day, or else. They widely known. grade intellectuals and the village called people names, they threatened The refugees were told that most people, not in Belgrade but in the to blow up the house. It lasted for of the Croatians from the village village itself. I contacted a few weeks. For many it became intolera­ · fought last winter on the side of the friends who are artists and asked ble. Nedeljka and Aleksa urged all Croatian "enemy," (though in fact them to make the posters. I called up other Serbs in the village to stand up the reverse was true) and that while Radio Ruma (in a nearby town, and defend the right of their neigh­ the houses of the refugees were slightly larger than Hrtkovci) and bors, of every person, to personal burned to the ground, those belong­ they agreed to make announcements security. Neighbors have a right to ing to Croatians in Hrtkovci still about the time and the topic of the remain neighbors, Aleksa said. What stood intact. The Croatians, it was discussion. When everything was has happened here is a disgrace for made clear, had no right to remain. well under way, I informed the local all of us. What followed in Hrtkovci was a police headquarters that a panel was "Then the school principal, particular kind of ethnic cleansing. to take place. another Serb, got up and spoke. He Many families who had lived in the "I had no trouble finding people said that if something isn't done village for hundreds of years began in Belgrade interested in participat­ right away none of them would be leaving the town under pressure ing in the panel. In Hrtkovci we able to sleep quietly for the rest of from the refugees who identified found the hall jammed with local their lives. As he spoke my eyes themselves as Serbs, but spoke Croa­ people. About 400 showed up. They caught the eyes of one woman in the tian - a language foreign to this were very quiet. The hall looked like crowd. Her chin cupped in her ethnic minority of Croats living in a church. No one was saying any­ palm, she listened with that stare in northern Serbia. thing. They were staring at us, not her eyes that made me think she had In September 1992 I spoke to knowing what to expect. I had to be the one to speak next. Natasha Kandic, a sociologist and thought that it might tum out that "But when the Serbs had spo­ member of the anti-war group of the Croats would be reluctant to ken, there was a lull again. You've got Serbian intellectuals called the "Bel­ talk. They were the ones under to understand, these people are grade Circle," who organized resis­ threat and it was reasonable to farmers, they are not used to large tance in Hrtkovci against the cleans­ expect that they would be fright­ political gatherings and to being in ing. I asked her how she became ened. To help them open up I had the spotlight. Never in their lives had aware of the issue and how she went asked two Serbs, a woman and a they experienced anything like eth-

Page Six Resist Newsletter January, 1993 nic cleansing. They thought that if shortly afterwards, I organized three Ustashi [Croatian Nazi collaborators they exposed themselves speaking at press conferences in the space of during WWII] over the phone. You a panel of this son, they could expect three weeks. All the independent are asking me if there was a lot of to become prime targets themselves. media were there, plus the foreign pressure on me to quit? You see, I do "Then the woman I had noticed, journalists. Borba was running sto-. not interpret the angry phone calls as (whose name I learned later was ries about Hrtkovci every day for pressure. Many people honestly Juliana Molnar) a slight person with three weeks. believe _that by going to war they are blue eyes and curly hair, got up and "The word went around. Soon I defending Serbia, and that it is their said, 'Shame on you all. We lock was getting calls from people in duty to do so. They were simply ourselves up in our houses, our sons other villages in the area. I knew that expressing that opinion to me over and daughters have to leave to save our best hope was to convince peo­ the phone. That is how I interpreted their heads. We all know what's ple to speak rather than hide. And it. If you engage in this kind of thing going on. And now, now you have even though [the villagers] were not you are bound to provoke a reaction. nothing to say. Stand up. We've got used to that, I think that they ... That is what foreign journalists do to talk. I've got to talk. That's my understood. It helped that they felt not understand. They all want me to only chance. These people came supponed. That made all the differ­ say that I was in some tremendous from Belgrade to help us. Look at ence. Mind you, most of these peo­ jeopardy. I wasn't. Threats are one them. Fony people sitting there and ple were quite loyal to Serbia. But thing. Expressing anger because you we all are playing dumb.' deep down, there was this doubt see things differently is another. "Still no one spoke in the big about the war ... that it was unjust ... Those people have a right to feel dif­ hall. The people on the panel spoke, that it was a bad war. ferently from me. I do not think that but I had wanted local people to take "Juliana took it upon herself to they are right about the way they see the stage. Without them, everything talk to a lot of people in the village . things, but they do have a right to was a failure. People from the panel and convince them not only to over­ disagree with me. This [variety of talked, one after another. The discus­ come their shyness and start speak­ points of view] does not jibe with sion lasted for a good two hours. ing, but also to remain in Hrtkovci. the picture of Serbia abroad; it's hard Everyone was expressing suppon for She herself was happy to receive for the journalists to absorb." the local Croats, everyone spoke of reporters whenever they wanted to • the rage at the fact that a thing like talk to her. She is still the first one to In November, as the pre-election this was happening less than a hun­ call me when anything happens. I atmosphere in Serbia was heating up dred kilometers from Belgrade. Yet then call the papers and the indepen­ (the elections were to take place on no one from the audience joined in. dent TV station Studio B. There Dec. 20, 1992, after this issue went to press) the Croatians, with the • Serbs from Hrtkovci supporting Then the school principal another Serb, got up and spoke. them, came under renewed pressure He said that ifsomething isn't done right away none ofthem from the refugees and the Serbian would be able to sleep quietly for the rest oftheir lives. Radical Party. The conflict is likely to last, exacerbated by the fact that • Serbia has practically no resources to "But then, when everything was were incidents this summer of more help the 600,000 refugees that find over, and when we all got out into harassment, though ~here was no themselves on its territory. the lobby, a lot of people just hung physical violence. All of this was Natasha Kandic continues to around. One by one they started reported in the media. People document stories and she has taken approaching people from the panel. stopped moving out, but unfortu­ these to the Federal Minister of Jus­ Clearly, they felt more comfortable nately a large number had already tice, Tibor Varadi. Varadi spoke to speaking one to one. It was then, in left in the first few months. Federal Prime Minister Milan Panic, the lobby, that we heard all kinds of "I did receive many hostile who ordered the leaders of the anti­ stories. The people made it clear to phone calls in connection with Croatian refugees arrested. Five of us that for them it was very impor­ Hrtkovci, as well as in connection them went to prison and are current­ tant just to see that so many [of us] with our other activities, particularly ly awaiting trial. Evidence of the ten­ had come all the way from Belgrade our drive to collect 70,000 signatures sion and divided opinion within Ser­ for their sake. for the referendum against the 1991 bia are obvious. A prominent "A few days later I went back to draft. Many people were angry with Belgrade lawyer has agreed to defend get details about particular cases, and me at the time, many called me continued on next page

¼L2, #1 Resist Newsletter Page Seven War Crimes continued from page seven the refugees pro btmo, and is arguing that the men should be released from prison and allowed to defend them­ selves as free persons (there is cur­ because you are on one of the lists rently no bail system in place in the Tri-National Resources we've mailed to. The reality is that Yugoslav legal system). The outcome A great new resource has come to it's much cheaper to take the chance of the trial, now scheduled to take our attention for groups working of sending out duplicate mailings place this month, may determine the around the free trade issue. It's called than it is to use the expensive com­ fate of many families in Hrtkovci Cross Border Links and has been pro­ puter technology necessary to purge that have decided to remain there no d uced by the Inter-Hemispheric the lists of duplicates. So, after you've matter what. Education Resource Center in looked it over and sent us your feed­ to Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Those attempting protect the back, why not pass it along to a friend Croatians are also under increasing Resource Center produces books and who isn't familiar with our work? threat because the whole situation is reports on Mexico, Central America, Thanks. now in the hands of Serbia's court and the Caribbean. The new guide system, which is controlled by the (a tri-national project of the How You Can Help Milosevic government. Aware that in Resource Center, the Equipo Pueblo There are many ways through­ spite of all efforts on their behalf, in Mexico, and the Action Canada out the year that you can help and of all their own efforts as well, Network) is a directory of organiza­ RESIST grow. One of the most the situation in the country is highly tions in Canada, Mexico, and the important is to tell your friends about volatile and unpredictable, many United States. Each organization is RESIST. Encourage them to sub­ have resolved that if they end up listed by the focus of its activity scribe to our newsletter (any dona­ having to leave, they will first set (labor, environment, government, tion to RESIST gets you a subscrip­ their houses on fire. [In a recent etc.), and is annotated with a tion) and support our grant making phone conversation with a resident description of the group, its work, program. Buy them a subscription to of Hrtkovci, I learned that the lead­ resources available, and links to other the newsletter, or send a gift of a er of the refugees, Ostoja Sibincic, organizations, indexed for easy refer­ RESIST T-shirt ($10) or sweatshirt returned to the village. A number of ence. Cross Border Links is edited by ($15). Give us the names and clashes broke out between his Ricardo Hernandez and Edith addresses of friends, and let us con­ group, armed with pistols and Sanchez and is sure to be extremely tact them about RESIST. (Let us knives, and residents of the village. helpful to all of us as we enter into know if we can use your name when Both the 1V and the papers docu­ the quagmire of free, but unjust, we do. And don't worry, we don't mented the violence, but there was trade. The authors hope it will con­ make fund raising phone calls.) no police response. Villagers feel the tribute to an important, related phe­ Another way to support us is police are cooperating with the nomenon: the increased communi­ through workplaces that have match­ refugees because the police force is cation, organizing and collaboration ing grants programs. RESIST, as a entirely under Milosevic's control. of grassroots activists across borders. non-profit, tax exempt corporation, The man I spoke with is certain his To order, send $11.95 + $2.50 should qualify for these programs. phone is being tapped, and he says for shipping to the Resource Center, Find out if your employer has a the situation for the villagers is des­ Box 4506, Albuquerque, NM matching grants program, and dou­ perate. However, organizing contin­ 87196. For information on discount ble the value of your gift. This past ues, with attempts to win redress orders, and international orders, call year we received matching grants from the Minister ofJustice.] (505) 842-8288 or fax (505) 246- from Lotus, ARCO, and Digital The general pubic in most of 1601. Equipment Corpoation. Yugoslavia remains unaware of the Have you seen our new Or, instead of writing us a check atrocities being carried out in their (which we always appreciate), you BROCHURE? names. Kandic is now heading up an can donate stock. When you donate independent organization of human Our new brochure went out to stock to RESIST you avoid paying rights activists who are documenting about 35,000 people during the the capital gains tax, and since we are war crimes and human rights viola­ month of December. (We are look­ tax exempt, we don't pay it either. tions throughout the former Yugo­ ing to pick up between 300-400 You could call it a win-win situation! slavia and across all ethnic groups. new RESIST supporters.) Some of Call us if you want more informa­ continued on next page you may get a copy in the mail, tion about donating stock.

Page Eight Resist Newsletter January. 1993 .• •.•:•• {:::::;-- :\/ :: :·::, :::_:)::::/f ). }} \:'\:,::{:•·:. :/:• .. ·;:::r:::: If} :".:' \/):•="' 1 ·_··.'.,:=:_'.·: .,_:-: .·:·./_:_(. .:_ ·:. .: _::::::··,:_!=.,_:.'j·.·1::· . :·_1·:··.: .::·l::..·: :. ._: ·.. :.·_· ...::_ ·... ·: ._:_·1·1. ·.;_ ·::::-: :·:::::,:,,;:::-;:] ::/: <>\))// ;._\_i:\_::_ _:;:_\ _:·.-:·_::__ :::::_·; __· ..·:.::::.".~'.:::.·= :.:: . ·_·-)\\:_·_:: ·:-:_\ :.::.''. ..'._:-_· ..t.i: _.: ;/}}: :-: :-:;,;.;":-::::? .· -l~iKltN -· .. ... -· -·-•-•.••-•.;.;--.;. . :;.:•::::;:::::;.:::>::·,•: . s ·· ,_·.·, .:.· . _: :··· ..: .,. ·.'·.. ·..· . ..· ..· .

continuedfrom page ten in Latin America and the Caribbean; a tural expression in Cuba, clarify misper­ kinds of campaigns the group works second highlighting events in a single ceptions, and deepen understanding on is support for the workers of nation or region, such as this past year's about the role of cultural work in politi­ INEXPORT, a maquildora owned by "Festival Caribe;" and a third, a two-day cal and social organizing. RESIST's a North American who fired his work­ celebration of the richness of Latin grant was for advertising and telephone force. U.S./GLEP learned that clothing American cultural and artistic heritage. costs related to the series. from the company was exported to Videoteca del Sur also loans videos Sears, Montgomery Ward, K-Mart and to community groups to use in their Note: In genera4 RESISTfunds distribu­ McDonalds, and urged these outlets to local organizing and educational cam­ tion and promotional aspects ofmedia shift their contracts if the workers were paigns, and co-hosts special screenings projects that are part ofeducational and not reinstated. with unions, universities, governmental organizing campaigns, but does not fund U.S./GLEP works closely with agencies, ethnic studies associations, production costs. RESIST is considering Guatemalan labor leaders to establish student groups and others. Nearly 45 screening some ofthe best videos and slide unions and improve working conditions groups so far have worked with Videote­ shows (maybe even radi.o shows) made by in the maquiladora sector. Very few of ca del Sur on special screenings. Video­ our grantees in a few forums in the Boston the 220 maquiladoras in Guatemala teca del Sur not only makes these area. Ifyour group has a program that have unions, and wages at many plants resources widely available, but models RESIST helped fund that you'd like us to are only $1.00/day. In 1992, U.S./ an organizing strategy of presenting consider, please DON'T SEND IT TO GLEP worked to support women work­ videos with forums between the Latin US YET, but drop us a note, describing ers at two plants owned by Phillips-Van American and Caribbean producers and the project (format, length, subject, and Heusen. Unionization efforts by the audiences, to engage diverse communi­ how it was used,) to Tatiana Schreiber, at workers there met firings, demotions, ties in ongoing dialogue. the office. bribery, threats to close the factory and The group presents free educational death threats. The U.S. retail outlets workshops in Spanish on aspects of War Crimes continued from page eight were constantly leafletted, press was gen­ video production as a way of encourag­ erated at many events, and more and ing community groups to use video as Money to do this work has been fun­ more U.S. trade unionists have joined an educational and organizing tool. neled to the organization from the the campaign. This past fall, the Guate­ They are creating an archive (currently rest of Europe through the Center malan government finally recognized about 400 titles are on hand) for for Anti-War Activity in Belgrade. the union at Phillips-Van Heusen. researchers and others interested in cul­ Anyone conerned with the fate of RESIST's recent grant was used for a tural expressions of the region as well as the people in Hnkovci can write to: fundraising mailing. historical and current events. Underly­ Natasha Kandic, Branka Krsmanovi­ ing all of this work is a desire to de-mys­ ca, II, 1100 Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Videoteca Del Sur tify the media, alter or erase stereotypes Those writing should say that they 84 East 3rd St., 5A created by mainstream media, and pre­ are aware of the renewed pressure on New York, NY, 10003 sent a realistic image of the "protagonists the Croatian (and Hungarian, as of history." The group is "multi-ethnic, well) populations in Hnkovci, which Videoteca del Sur was formed in multi-cultural, and multi-lingual in its shames the whole Serbian nation, 1989 by video producers who wanted staff, volunteers and board members," and that they support the efforts of to create an international network to but "similar in talent and commitment." exchange, exhibit, and archive vide­ In November, Videoteca del Sur the "Belgrade Circle" and Natasha oworks from the alternative indepen­ brought five film and video producers Kandic to help these people to stay dent video movement in Latin America from Cuba to participate in a series of on their own land. K.andic will see and the Caribbean, while educating the seminars in the New York and New Jer­ to it that letters are published in broadest possible audience in North sey areas entitled Changing Channels:· Borba. • Emerging Latin American Film and America, Latin America and the ]asminka Udovicki teaches Culture, Caribbean. Video, with the sponsorship of some 15 Since its founding, Videoteca del educational, community, and public Society and Art at Mass College of Sur has exhibited over 140 videos in institutions. The videos included a four­ Art in Boston. She has lived in the public and specially arranged screenings. part series on AIDS in Cuba, discussion U.S. on arzd offfor fifteen years, arzd The group now presents fortnightly of independent video production in is cu"ently on academic leave at the public screenings of 3-4 videos per Cuba, and work with young film mak­ University of Texas in Austin. She screening from March through Novem­ ers in the U.S. and Cuba. The goal of traveled to the former Yugoslavia this ber, in New York City. Three special fes­ the series was to educate and inform past summer arzd fall on assignment tivals are held each year: one, on women North American audiences about cul- for the Village voice.

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In each issue ofthe newsletter we of medical supplies to stock 15 commu­ ings with African-American and Latino highlight a few recent grants ~ to nity medical centers in Masaya and rommunities concerning housing issues, groups around the country. In this issue u1e Managua. PeaceWorks also continues to as well as meetings with elected officials, feature grants to groups doing Central and support the work of the New Jersey solidarity activists, and refugee assistance Lati.n American activist work. The infor­ Central America network through groups. RESIST's recent grant helped mation in these briefreports is provi.~d monthly informational mailings. pay for expenses of the tour. to us by the groups themselves. For more In November, PeaceWorks served as ~tails, please unite to them at the address­ host, along with the Central Jersey/ es included here. Masaya Friendship Cities Project, to three Nicaraguan community activists: PeaceWorks, Ernesto Ortega, Mayor of San Marc~; 15 Prospect Street Maria Nella Aquilar Jaime, Finance Morristown, NJ 07960. Director of a community development organization in the Masaya region; and PeaceWorks formed several years Lorenzo Lopez, an organizer with the ago to help New Jersey sister city pro­ indigenous community of Monimb6, jects better fund, develop, and organize a barrio of Masaya. The purp~e of the their work with sister communities in visit was to bring news and analysis of Nicaragua, and to conduct educational Nicaragua to N.J., and also to facilitate and cultural activities to inform people the Nicaraguans' attendence at a Span­ in the New Jersey area about U.S. poli­ ish-language seminar on grant-writing cies in Central America. Since 1987, the and funding of development projects. group has shipped 16 cargo containers Participants at the seminar also came of humanitarian aid to Nicaragua, and from the D9minican Republic and El has conducted many public forums and Salvador. other gatherings in schools, churches Since the 1990 Nicaraguan elec­ and in various communities. tion, major gains of the revolution in U.SJGuatemala Labor Currently PeaceWorks is participat­ the areas of health care, education, land Education Project ing in a statewide coalition to raise reform, and equitable distribution of c/o ACIWU-Chicago Joint Board funds and material aid for a March resources, have been lost. Solidarity 333 S. Ashland 1993 caravan to El Salvador, specifically groups in this country work in an in­ Chicago, IL 60607 for the recently repopulated community creasingly difficult public atmosphere, of~ Amates. In addition, the group is and visits such as this one provide an The U.S./Guatemala Labor Educa­ funding a corn grinding mill in the important opportunity to put Nicaragua tion Project (U.S./GLEP) was founded Masaya barrio of Pacayita in Nicaragua, back in the public discussion in our in 1987 by trade unionists concerned and organizing to ship a cargo container communities. The visit included meet- that Guatemala received insufficient U.S. attention. U.S./GLEP works with r------7 labor, religious, human rights, and soli­ Join the Resist Pledge Program 1 darity communities to publicize Guate­ We'd like you to consider becoming a • Yes! I would like to become a Resist: malan labor rights abuses, arrange tours Resist ·Pledge. Pledges.account for over Pledge. I'd like to pledge$____ / 1 of Guatemalan trade unionists, and in 250Jo of our income .. By becoming a ______(monthly, bi-I 1988-89 led two successful campaigns pledge, you help guarantee Resist a monthly, quarterly, 2x a year, yearly). I in support of Guatemalan workers fixed ~nd dependa~le source of inco~e Enclosed is my pledge contribution • l engaged in disputes with U.S. on which we can bmld our grant makmg of $ ___~ I program. In return, we will send you a. · 1 companies. monthly pledge letter and reminder, • I can't join the pledge program just I The group works to build effective along with your newsletter. We will now, but here's a contribution to sup- I solidarity between U.S. and Guatemalan keep you up-to-date on the groups we port your work. $____ : workers to protect the basic rights of have funded, and the other work being Name ______I both. An important aspect of the work done at Resist. So take the plunge and I become a Resist Pledge! We count on .Address ______, is to deepen U.S. workers' understand­ you, and the groups we fund count on City /State/Zip ______: ing of, and their ability to respond in a us. I progressive way to, the globalization of Resist I the U.S. economy. An example of the One Summer Street, Somerville, MA 02143 • (617)623-5110 I -·------·------. ------continued on page nine

Page Tm Resist Newsletter JanUllry, 1993