STUDENT ANTI-APARTHEID NEWSLET1ER

STUDENT ANTI-APARTHEID NEWSLET1ER American Corrn-ittee On Africa 198 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 100381(212) 962-1210 1 Cable AMCOMMAF Prepared by Joshua Negean, Student Coordinator REPORT ON NATIONAL STUDENT CONFERENCE ON SOUTH AFRICA AND NAMIBIA From November 1-3, 1985 500 student activists from 35 states and over 100 schools gathered for a National Student Conference on South Africa and Namibia at Hunter College. The conference, organized by student groups and the American Committee on Africa, was the largest student anti-apartheid conference in many years and succeeded in attracting groups from all regions of the country, particularly the South. Following the successful October 11 National Protest Day, the conference was important in developing a political agenda for the upcoming year at a critical moment for the student anti-apartheid movement. The main organizational and political directions emerging from the conference were: l)Mobilization for 1986 National Weeks of Anti-Apartheid Action from March 21April 6, with April 4 as a National Divestment Protest Day in commemoration of Martin Luther King. (SEE AND REPRODUCE ENCLOSED FLYER) (Info packet: 212-962-1210) 2)An immediate push to prevent any American aid to UNITA, South Africa's surrogate in Angola. Telegram your Congressional Representative: Rep _ , US House of Representatives, Wash DC 20515 and call #202-224-3121 (See enclosed Action Alert) 3)National Student Material Aid Drive, in which each school would attempt to raise ($500) for Namibian and South African refugee projects with all funds going through the Africa Fund. The target amount would be raised by the end of February, with events during February Black History Month being crucial. For information on projects of the Africa Fund: 198 Bway NYC 10038 #212-962-1210 4)The conference affirmed the importance of strengthening regional coordination in the student anti-apartheid movement and encouraged the formation of city-wide student coalitions (as in Washington DC). Regional conferences will be held building up to the Weeks of Action in: !)Midwest (Chicago Nov 15-17) #203-346-1667 ii)Northeast (February 1-2). Planning meeting Sat Nov 23 at Wesleyan Univ (llam-5pm) For transport info: ACOA #212-962-1210 (Middltown CT) iii)South. Planning meeting Jan 18. For info: AFSC/Atlanta #404-586-0460 and #404-691-1531 (D. Redding) 5)The conference emphasized that struggles against domestic racism must be intimately linked to anti-apartheid organizing, and that Black students need to play a leading role in the anti-apartheid movement. 6)While divestment will remain the central focus of campus organizing, it is critical to build direct political and material support for the liberation movements and to oppose Reagan's policy of "constructive engagement" which above all aims to prevent the coming to power of the ANC and SWAPO. Students from these states attended the conference: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin plus groups from Montreal, Toronto, and Sweden.

CONFERENCE SESSIONS Friday November 1 Opening Session Conference participants were welcomed by Diane Dwyer, president of the Hunter College Day Session Student Government, who played a key role in the successful struggle for divestment at City University of New York. She was followed by Claire Mohapi of the African National Congress Youth Section, Monica Nashandi of the SWAPO YtkFLeague, and Roger Uriarte of the National Union of Nicaraguan Students who all had participated in a Fall "Boycott South Africa Not Nicaragua" tour of over twenty campuses. Claire Mohapi and Monica Nashandi stressed the cutting edge role of students in southern Africa and in the United States, and the need to oppose Reagan's destructive policy of "constructive engagement". Roger Uriarte was greeted with a standing ovation and chants of "Non Passaran" (They shall not pass) and underscored the importance of linking the anti-apartheid struggle to organizing against U.S. intervention in Central America. Norma Francis of Hunter College moderated. Another speaker was Dumisani Kumalo of the American Committee on Africa and a South African exile. Mr. Kumalo highlighted recent state divestment victories in New Jersey ($2 billion), New Mexico ($150 million) and Minnesota ($1.1 billion) and then focused on corporate strategizing against divestment: "U.S. companies claim to be in South Africa to help Black people. They love us more than we love ourselves. If General Motors loved Black people so much, why are they laying them off in Detroit." The opening session was also marked by a showing of the anti-apartheid video "Ain't Gonna Play Sun City" which was introduced by Little Steven (Van Zandt), author of the song which is raising money for refugee projects in southern Africa through the Africa Fund. New York State Assemblyman Roger Green closed out the evening by stressing the importance of community-student alliances, and the need to push for New York divestment legislation in November's special legislative session. For more information contact Assemblyman Green's office: #718-596-0100 Saturday November 2 Student Anti-Apartheid Movement Panel This morning panel presented an overview of student organizing and featured Erich Nakano from the University of California/Berkeley, Tanaquil Jones from Columbia University, Keith Jennings of Atlanta University, Karen Seavers from the University of Wisconsin/Madison, and Joshua Nessen of the American Committee on Africa, with Willy Terry of the Black Student Communications Organizing Network as moderator. All speakers emphasized the importance of linking anti-apartheid organizing to struggles against domestic racism and the key role of Black student leadership in the movement. Panelists also stressed the necessity of direct, militant action in campus struggles, given the undemocratic corporate character of the university. It was noted that since the escalation of tactics in April, there had been 30 total or partial divestment moves by U.S. schools. Speakers also underlined the need to broaden understanding and support for the unfolding liberation struggle in South Africa and Namibia and to see divestment as simply one means to support that struggle. Panel on U.S. Foreign Policy William Johnston of Episcopal Churchpeople for a Free Southern Africa and Damu Smith of the Washington Office on Africa highlighted the regional character of U.S. policy which has consistently backed South Africa in its repression domestically, attacks on the frontline states, and stalling on Namibian independence. The growing pressure to fund UNITA in Angola is part of a right- wing strategy to shift attention away from South Africa and could have serious reprecussions for the liberation struggles in Namibia and South Africa. This is particularly true given Angola's role as a firm rear base for SWAPO and ANC armed combatants.

Workshop Summaries (more complete report available from ACOA on request) The heart of conference was a series of small to medium group discussions dealing with a wide-range of grass roots organizing strategies. I Material Aid Workshop (Moderators: ANC, SWAPO, Africa Fund) l)National Student Material Aid Campaign. By end of February Black History Month seek to raise $500/campus for Africa Fund. 2)Can target projects of ANC and SWAPO but all money collected would first go through the Africa Fund. 3)Link up to community groups In this effort and organize a large February event. II U.S. Foreign Policy l)Immediate telegram campaign in opposition to any aid to UNITA. 2)Washington Office on Africa, DC Student Coalition Against Apartheid and Racism, and the U.S. Student Association plan to establish a National Legislative Alert Network to bring all campuses information on legislation affecting southern Africa. 3)For up-to-date information contact: Washington Office on Africa 202-546-7961 DC-SCAR: 202-333-2532 III Current Developments in Namibia l)South Africa currently has over 100,000 troops in Namibia, making it one of the most heavily occupied/militarized countries in the world. 2)There is an urgent need for education on the situation in Namibia, given the complete media blackout on developments there. 3)The U.S. people must firmly oppose Reagan and South Africa's linae of Namibian independence to the withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola. 4)Students must call for divestment from U.S. firms involved in Namibia as well as those investing in South Africa. 5)For up-to-date info: SWAPO, 801 2nd Ave NYC 10017 #212-557-2450 Episcopal Churchpeople 339 Lafayette NYC 10003 #212-477-0066 IV Workshop on Divestment Organizing l)The process of organizing for divestment has been an effective means of mobilizing students and has actually discouraged U.S. investment in South Africa. -Billions of new U.S. investment has been prevented (John Chettle, SA Foundat.) -Since January 1985 17 U.S. companies have ceased operations in South Africa. 2)It is important to broaden the scope of economic action to include: a)Support for the Pledge For Freedom not to work for U.S. companies involved in South Africa. For info contact: NYPIRG, 9 Murray St NYC 10007 #649-6460 V Domestic Racism and Sexism l)Black and Third World Student leadership and involvement is critical in the movement and predominantly white anti-apartheid groups should thus: a)Take up issues of concern to Black and Third World communities. b)Ensure adequate representation of Black, Third World, and women students in positions of leadership. c)Develop agendas that focus on racism and sexism in educational institutions. 2)It is important to develop an anti-apartheid curriculum & bring to high schools. 3)Create national network of progressive students serviced by a national newsletter to exchange info, particularly on FBI/State harassment of movement. 4)Strengthen international links, particularly with Canadian campuses. CONT .....

VI Linking Southern African, Central American and Peace Movement Solidarity Work l)CIA: i)Develop material and campaigns designed to expose CIA crimes/actions in Southern Africa and Central America and to ban the CIA from campus. ii)Contact clearinghouse on military/CIA campus recruitment: -Lisa Sheehy, 1106 North Pleasant Str Amherst Mass 01002 iii)For further info, particularly on ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) -ROTC/JROTC Clearinghouse c/o War Resisters League, 339 Lafayette St NYC 10012 #212-228-0450 2)Multinational Investment: i)Focus divestment campaigns on university complicity in Southern Africa and Central America through stocks, trustee corporate ties, and job recruitment. ii)For info on linking Central American/S.African corpcampaign Latin America Multinationals Project PO Box 400730 Brooklyn New York 11240 (Marie Bloom) 3)Liberation Movement Support: i)An educational packet be developed focusing on the liberation movements of southern Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. This would be developed by CISPES, American Comm on Africa, War Resist Leag. ii)Organize events on Dec 16 South African Heroes Day VII Political Prisoners Emphasized linking work in support of southern African political prisoners to political prisoners in the United States. Proposed forums on political prisoners and possible national protest day to raise issue of U.S. political prisoners. Reiterated support for Nelson Mandela, Namibian prisoners, and UDF treason defendants. VIII Mass Movements: Workshop recognized the existence of many progressive groups struggling to end apartheid. Emphasized unity in action shown by unions & students. REGIONAL CAUCUSES: l)Discussed coordination 2)Developed plans for outreach & regional meetings. MARCH AND PICKET: Following Saturday regional caucuses, 200 conference participants marched to the 68th Str Playhouse and temporarily blockaded the South African film, "The Gods Must Be Crazy" which has been subject to protest the last year. BLACK STUDENT CAUCUS: l)Discussed development of a Black student agenda 2)Importance of Black student leadership in the anti-apartheid movement 3)Establishment of a national Black student network. For info: Black Student.Communications Organizing Network Box 3164 Jamaica NY 11431 #718-526-7056 DIRECT ACTION CAUCUS: l)Direct Action key in movement, and empowers participants. 2)Take action to shut down South African Airways across the country 3)Disrupt "Gods Must Be Crazy" 4)Info: Brklynites Against Aparth Box 400790 Bkln 11240 NOVEMBER 3 FINAL SESSION Speakers included David Ndaba of the ANC, Hinyangerwa Asheeke of SWAPO, Joshua Nessen of ACOA, and Robert Nuchow of Hunter College. The African Anthem was sung at the conclusion of the session which featured Georgia State Senator Julian Bond: "South Africa does constitute a threat to the retirement futures of millions of Americans, to the jobs which have kept our economy strong and to world peace... Since 1975 U.S. imports of South African steel have increased by 5,000 per cent. Tens of thousands of steel workers have been laid off, many of them forever. As U.S. Steel closed its Southworks Plant in Chicago, the state of Illinois was building a new building--with South African steel."