Michipn Coalition for Human Rights 4800 Woodward Ave. Detroit, MI 48201 (313) 832-4400

September 1985

APARTHEID• FOR SALE Krugerrand: An investment in racism

Reprinted with permission of the helping to finance the South African teen percent of all gold mined in South Detroit Free Press. government's repressive racial policies. Africa is used in minting Krugerrands. Every day, hundreds of Michigan The revenue from the sale of Kruger­ In 1983, Krugerrand sales exceeded residents walk into coin stores and rands enables the South African $1.5 billion, with $450.2 million sold spend over $300 each to purchase a government to buy the rubber bullets, here in the United States. The Kruger­ gold coin that has come to symbolize the tear gas and the passbooks needed rand has become this country's single the repression in South Africa. The to keep tight control over the black largest import item from South Africa. gold coin, the Krugerrand, was minted majority. The Krugerrand is manufactured with to commemorate South African politi­ According to the U.S. Bureau of gold dug by black miners. Ninety per­ cian Paul Kruger, who once said, "The Mines, South Africa is the world's cent of the 450,000 workers employed black man had to be taught that he principal supplier of gold. In 1983, it in South Africa's major gold mines are came second, that he belonged to the produced 21.8 million ounces of gold, black; only nine percent are white. The inferior class that must obey." 49 percent of the world's supply. Gold whites, on an average, make five times Most buyers simply don't know that sales that year provided 50 percent of the wages of their black co-workers. by purchasing a Krugerrand, they are South Africa's foreign exchange. Six- Congress is considering legislation that would ban the importation of Kru­ gerrands. The House has approved such a provision, and the Senate will vote in rpijBLIC----­ early fall. All indications are that Presi­ PLED6 E l~~:;~:::::::""< dent Reagan will veto any sanctions for South Africa. Skeptics claim that a ban would hurt the very people we are trying to help or that it would not have much of an impact on the South African economy. On the first point, black South African leader Bishop Desmond Tutu said: "It is up to the international community to exert pressure on the South African government, especially economic pres­ sure, to go to the conference table ... This is our very last chance to change because if it doesn't happen ... the bloodshed will be inevitable." •Coin dealer Dick Rosenbaum of Birmingham Stamp and Coin signs a public pledge not to sell The Washington-based National Jour­ Krugerrands at MCHR press conference March 18. Looking on are Congressman John Conyers, nal stated that losing the U.S. Kruger­ MCHR President Bishop Coleman McGehee and UAW representative, Hank Ghant. rand market would be a serious blow to South Africa. From 1978 to 1982, U.S. Krugerrand sales accounted for about three percent of South Africa's world­ MCHR wide exports of all merchandise. "On a PLEDGE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS proportional basis," said the National Members of the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights pledge to Journal, "the loss would be equivalent fight against human rights violations wherever they occur. We further to the United States suddenly losing all pledge that we will hold prayer vigils, organize letter-writing of its exports of passenger cars, synthe­ campaigns, hold educational forums and seminars and demonstrate if tic fabrics, railroad equipment, and necessary to stop violations of human rights. fruits and vegetables." There are more than 20 coin dealers in metropolitan Detroit who have sold Krugerrands. Many of these dealers Continued on back page MCHR Update Krugerrand Campaign Since our January, 1985 "Unhappy Hour" and prayer vigil in front of the First National Monetary Corporation in Southfield (one of Michigan's largest Krugerrand sellers), MCHR members and supporters have met wih 15 differ­ ent Krugerrand dealers. Many of the coin dealers have responded positively to our campaign to discourage the sale of gold coins from South Africa. Our work has brought results. Some of the dealers have told us that Krugerrand Bishop Mayson leads Romero memorial service as Rabbi Conrad, Sr. Annette Zipple and Bisho sales have dropped drastically, to the Anderson look on. p point where its Canadian competitor, the Maple Leaf, is running a close sec­ Archbishop Oscar Romero Remembered ond. Our next step will be to determine On March 23, 1985, over 200 people (MCHR) with the help of the Michigan how the State of Michigan will imple­ representing many different peace and Interfaith Committee on Central Ameri­ ment Gov. Blanchard's recent statement justice organizations throughout Michi­ can Human Rights, the Central Ameri­ that the State of Michigan will "cease gan came together to pay homage to can Solidarity Committee, Latin Ameri­ doing business with any financial insti­ one of Central America's many can Task Force, Groundwork for a Just tution that regularly sells or buys martyrs, EI Salvador's Archbishop World, the Detroit Area Nuclear Wea­ Krugerrands. " Oscar Arnulfo Romero. This year com­ pons Freeze and the Detroit Guatemala Please help us by calling or writing memorates the fifth year anniversary Committee. to these coin dealers to express your since his death. The memorial service was led by sympathy or anger with their decision The event was organized by the Episcopal Bishop Irving Mayson, Rabbi to either stop selling Krugerrands or to Michigan Coalition for Human Rights Ernst Conrad (MCHR Board Member), continue selling the gold coin. Some Catholic Bishop Moses Anderson and have agreed to discourage the sale of Sr. Annette Zipple. The event was the Krugerrand and encourage the sale filled with prayer, dance, music and of other gold coins. Be sure to identify Attention readings from the various sermons of yourself and mention the Coalition if Jewelry Buyers! Oscar Romero. you like. Let us know what happens. To close the service, a powerful KRUGERRAND ALERT! message was read and sent to President Good Guys Krugerrands are also sold on neck­ Reagan on behalf of 16 Detroit-area Redford Coin Galleries, 592-8119 laces, bracelets, etc., in jewelry stores. religious leaders. Tony Sclabassi If you see a Krugerrand, ask for the store manager and request that it be Birmingham Stamp and Coins, removed from the display case and ex­ 642-1234 Gay Pride Week plain why. If they refuse to do any­ Dick Rosenbaum thing, please let us know! Thanks to the efforts of the Detroit Erin Coin Shop, 261-7640 Steve Ross Abbotts Coinex Corp., 644-8565 M[ION COAUTION fIOR tlJMAN RIeHl Gary Dalziel , Bad Guys ( E.F. Lush, 559-2150 Ernie Lush First National Monetary Corp., 353-9770 Joseph Pick Village Coin Shop, 278--3503 Alan Charters Liberty State Bank and Trust, 362-5000 Gerald Salkowski, President Coin Cove, 771-7750 I Gene and Mary Christian . . . , Ace Coins and Jewelry, 584-7430 Bisho.p H. Coleman McGehee, Jr.: President of the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights, poses a questIOn to one of the seven paneltsts at MCHR's first event in 1985 a roundtable debate on Dick Mars Religion and Politics. Participants from left to right. Fr. William C~nningham, Sr. Rachael West State Rep. H. Lynn Jondahl, Chief Justice G. Mennen Williams, Dr. Frederick Sampson, Rabbi' Stanley Rosenbaum and Gov. James Blanchard. Area Gay and Lesbian Council Amnesty International (DAGLC) and the Pride Week planning Clergy Against the committee, the June Gay and Lesbian Death Penalty Urgent Action Corner Pride Week in Detroit was an enor­ mous success. Over 1,000 participants All across the state of Michigan, South Africa - Malisela Benjamin were attracted to the week's various religious leaders are beginning to Moloise, age 30, Death Penalty. very well-organized events. The MCHR organize to fight the legalization of the Malisela Benjamin Moloise, an sponsored a workshop on the civil death penalty. The Michigan Coalition upholsterer and poet, who was due to liberties and civil rights of gay men for Human Rights and the Michigan be executed on August 21, 1985, has and lesbian women. The workshop was Coalition Against the Death Penalty been granted a stay of execution for put on by Howard Simon (MCHR have joined hands in organizing an three weeks. The stay was granted in Board Member) and Attorney David interfaith clergy luncheon scheduled for the Pretoria Supreme Court on August Piontkowsky. Dec. 5, 1985 (place to be announced). 20 and allows Benjamin Moloise's The purpose of the luncheon/work­ lawyers to present new evidence and to shop is to pull together in one room petition the state president to re-open Human Rights clergy from all over the state from dif­ the case. ferent faith backgrounds to talk about Benjamin Moloise was sentenced to Library! how to educate their congregations death on June 5, 1985 after being con­ about the issue. victed by the Pretoria Supreme Court The Michigan Coalition for Human on charges of murder. He was alleged Rights has started a human rights At this point, Bishop Walter Sullivan, to have shot dead a black member of library at its office on Woodward Ave. Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Rich­ the South African security police. in Detroit. The library has many differ­ mind, Va., and active with death row Recommended action: Telegrams, ent publications including: Americas victims, and Dr. Charles Adams, Presi­ dent of the Detroit NAACCP and telexes, express letters, airmail letters. Watch reports, Pax Christi Human Send appeals to: Mr. P.W. Botha, State Rights Reports, Amnesty International, pastor of the Hartford Memorial Baptist President of South Africa, Union Build­ Moral Majority Report, Family Protec­ Church, have both agreed to be a part of the program. If you are interested in ing, Pretoria, South Africa. Please tion Report, Friends Committee on Na­ send immediately. tional Legislation, Michigan Chronicle, working to make this event a success call the MCHR office. ' Call MCHR for further information: Michigan Catholic, Washington Office 832-4400. on Africa reports, Guatemalan Human Rights Commission reports, Update, Impact, Michigan Agenda, MICAH newsletter, Groundwork newsletter, We need volunteers for many tasks o I would be able to help do some Council Against Domestic Assault to keep the Michigan Coalition for typing at the office. newsletter, Resist newsletter, Prison Human Rights growing. We hope to do o I am interested in helping with the Without Walls, Michigan Coalition a newsletter on a quarterly basis and newsletter. Against the Death Penalty newsletter, have ongoing mailings to the member­ o I have some free time and could Michigan Conference News, The Epis­ ship. Please check any of the following come into the office a few days copal Record, Team for Justice news­ and drop in the mail to 4800 Wood­ a week. letter, DPI Digest, Civil Liberties ward, Detroit 48201. o I would be willing to work on an Alert, CASC Newsletter and more. o I could help do mailings. MCHR fundraiser. Anyone can use these publications here in the office or they can be checked out. Call 832-4400 for information. ------~ Yes! I1We want to be a part of the Michigan Coalition for Name Human Rig_ht~s~_

(Please check) Address o $500-State-wide organization or Institutional membership City/State Zip o $loo-Organizational or institutional membership o $25-Sponsoring individual membership Phone o $lO-Regular individual membership. o $5-Senior citizen, student or Organization/Institution unemployed individual membership o Check 0 Cash 0 Other Date MAIL TO: Michigan Coalition for Human Rights 4800 Woodward Avenue Detroit, MI 48201 Continued from front page have agreed to keep Krugerrands out of a death rate 25 times higher than that sight by not putting them in display of white children. cases, to stop advertising and promot­ In the words of Roman Catholic Michigan Coalition ing the gold coin, to encourage cus­ Bishop Walter. J. Schoenherr of De­ tomers to buy similar bullion coins troit: "Through the grace of almighty for Human Righf8 from other countries, and to distribute God, our unified co-operation begins Board of Directors literature explaining the link between with never accepting political, military the Krugerrand and South Africa. or economic actions, policies or pro­ The world of gold bullion trading is grams that abet the conditions under filled with handsome coins and medals which so many suffer. Our co-opera­ Bishop H. Coleman McGehee produced in many parts of the globe. tion begins in a small way, a personal Among these are coins from Canada, way, an individual way. It begins with Rabbi Ernst Conrad Austria, Mexico, China and the Olym­ you and me. We don't buy Kruger­ pic gold coin minted in the United rands. " Dr. John Forsyth States. The Canadian Maple Leaf, sec­ -Tom Fentin ond in sales only to the Krugerrand, is Hon. Martha Griffiths considered by some coin dealers to be Leonard Grossman a more attractive coin. ~-----I Holland and France have already Rod Reinhart banned the sale of Krugerrands. Finan­ cial institutions such as Dean Witter Thank You Bishop Walter J. Schoenherr Reynolds, Shearson/American Express, Merrill Lynch and the First National The Michigan Coalition for Human Howard Simon Bank of Chicago have stopped pro­ Rights would like to thank the follow­ moting the gold coin. Recently, Gov. ing people and organizations for mak­ Rev. James Wadsworth Blanchard called on the state of Michi­ ing a generous contribution of their gan to "cease doing business with any money or time over the past two Rev. Jimmie Sawyer financial institution that regularly sells months. Millie Jeffrey or buys Krugerrands." Locally, both Adrian Dominicans, United the Detroit City Council and the UAW Methodist Church, Capuchins, Bishop Rev. Edmund Millet have passed resolutions against the sale Gumbleton, Jane Cutts, June Gruska, of the South African coin. Craig Covey, Bob Halbeisen, Russell Alicia Sanchez We must recognize that by purchas­ and Carrie Peebles, Bill and Molly ing Krugerrands, we are making an in­ Hayden, Helen Jones, the Buck Dinner, Sr. Carol Quigley vestment in South Africa, a country in Rudy Simons, Bishop McGehee, Vic which the average annual income for Schumacher, Dr. David Snyder, Detroit Rev. Ruth Mosley whites is $8,033 and for blacks, Guatemala Committee, Servants of $2,113; a country in which the govern­ Jesus, Rabbi Lane Steinger, Sisters of ment spends $800 a year on education IHM, Coalition of Black Trade Tom Fentin for each white child and $100 a year Unionists, Barbara Rose-Collins, Ann Executive Director for each black child; a country in Fouts. which half of the children in the black Special thanks to Judy Eltringham homelands die before the age of five - who updated our mailing list.

Michigan Coalition for Human Rights Non-Profit Org. 4800 Woodward Avenue US Postage Detroit, MI 48201 PAID Permit No. 2941 ~138 Detroit, MI

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