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11-30-1991

Resist Newsletter, Nov. 1991

Resist

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Recommended Citation Resist, "Resist Newsletter, Nov. 1991" (1991). Resist Newsletters. 238. https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/resistnewsletter/238 Inside: Fran White on the Hill/Thomas Fiasco

Newsletter #240 A Call to Resist Illegitimate Authority November, 1991 Workers' Rights in Honduras

CELEO ALVAREZ CASILDO

C ilio Casi/do, a Black (Garifuna) Honduran labor leader, was in Boston recently to talk to local labor and Central America activists about his work and to gain support for workers' rights in Hon­ duras. During an interview with Resist editor Tatiana Schreiber, Casildo spoke of his own development as an activist, the situation for Blacks in Honduras, the struggle for adequate health care, the par­ ticular concerns of health workers, and larger questions of union power as a force for social change in Honduras. The fol- lowing article is excerpted from that con­ versation. The interview was conducted in Celeo Casildo (second from left), with Rene Matrid, Mario Benitez and Hector Borja, all Spanish with the assistance of interpreter current or former officers of SITRAMEDHYS, the Honduran health and hospital workers' Cristy Costello (a member of the Comite union. Hondurefw Francisco Morazan in Boston) duras. For example, in 1880, North Ameri­ ment was very much influenced by the who also translated a transcript of the can companies became involved in miner­ Communist Party. Its first public mani­ interview into English. In the course of al exploitation, and in 1910 the banana festo was a clear statement of the problem editing for this article, changes have been companies arrived. As part of an effort to of the class struggle in Honduras, explain­ made for smoother reading in English. disrupt the Honduran workers' movement, ing the introduction of Black, English­ Any errors in meaning that may have the banana companies brought large mnn­ speaking field captains as a strategy to resulted are the responsibility of the editor. bers of Black workers from Jamaica and divide forces in the labor movement. It other parts of the Caribbean to work as helped orient the workers towards unity A Little History field captains in the banana camps. One based on a class perspective. The first Blacks arrived in Honduras important reason for this was that the own­ Perhaps the most important immi­ as slaves between 1517 and 1535 to fur­ ers and managers could communicate with gration of Blacks to Honduras occurred in ther the mineral exploitation of the coun­ the Jamaican workers - they spoke the 1797, when an African-Caribbean ethnic try. Since that time, Blacks have been same language. This generated the first group, the Garifunas, arrived on the coun­ incorporated into the life of the country. friction between the mestizo workers and try's northern shores. The Garifunas New waves of immigration have the Black workers. arrived in Honduras after experiencing continued to occur as a result of external But the union movement was very tremendous battles with the English and interests in the natural resources of Hon- alert. We must remember that the move- continued on page five Salvador E. Luria: Tribute

We would like to take this opportu­ When Luria won the Nobel Prize, done. But now he stopped for a moment to nity to remember longtime Resist support­ Zinn was invited over to the house for a reminisce. It was about the movement er Salvador Luria, who died this past drink. As people sat around, the phone against the war in Vietnam, about February at the age of 78. Born in Turin, ringing off the hook, Luria said, "Well, it's BAFGOPI, his project and ours. And he Italy, Luria graduated from the University good to get the Prize in biology, but I wish said, with just a little catch in his voice: of Turin in 1935 and became a radiologist (and he gave a mischievous smile), I wish 'We did something then, didn't we?' in Rome. He left fascist Italy in 1938 for it was the Peace Prize." According to "Yes. Salva Luria, in all of his life, Paris, and came to New York in 1940. He Zinn, Luria, having grown up under fas­ with persistent courage and profound com­ worked at Columbia University, the Uni­ cism in Italy and sickened by its bloody passion, with occasional grumpiness and versity of Indiana, and MIT before joining victory in Spain, began to think of himself flashes of a comic spirit, with great tender­ Repligen Corporation, a biotechnology as a socialist while in Paris. After World ness for the human race, did something." firm in Cambridge, in 1984. Founder of War II, in the U.S., he was one of the ini­ the MIT Cancer Research Center, Luria tial ten signers of a petition pointing to the shared the 1969 Nobel Prize in medicine dangers of radiation poisoning in the con­ ************************ for research into viruses, and received a tinued testing of atomic bombs. In 1961 he National Book Award for his first non-aca­ protested the CIA-planned invasion of demic volume, Life: The Unfinished Cuba. Faculty • Students • Staff Experiment. But it was the Vietnam War that This newsletter editor (Tatiana became a central preoccupation of every Help Resist Grow! Schreiber) was touched by Salvador Luria minute Luria could spare from his work. Ask Your Library to Subscribe as a high school student when, fascinated "He was impatient with political theoriz­ to the by the book Life: The Unfinished Experi­ ing. He was impatient with apocalyptic ment, I wrote to him, describing how the visions of revolution. He wanted to get Resist Newsletter book had kindled an interest in biology. things done and he was a first-rate orga­ (Library subs are $15/year) Luria invited me down to his office, where nizer... patiently trying to point out to the Call or write for more details we discussed, among other things, the public the lies of the government, to dra­ benefits versus the risks of the recently matize the horrors that were taking place banned soap, Physohex (I seem to remem­ daily in the villages of Vietnam." ************************ ber he had stored a stash of the stuff before "What drove his great energy and it was banned), and he arranged for me to occupied his extraordinary mind," Zinn do a special project at the Cancer Research recalls, "was a profound indignation at the Center. At the time, it seemed kind of existence of injustice in a human society amazing that such a big man, a Nobel he thought capable of marvelous things .... Prize winner, would take a teenager seri­ When five of us at Boston University were ously and respect my ideas. But that was threatened with being fired because we all in a day's work for Salva Luria. The refused to cross the picket lines of striking rest of these comments include excerpts secretaries, Salva took it on himself, no from remarks delivered by writer, histo­ one asking it of him, to organize a national rian and activist Howard Zinn, at a memo­ campaign on our behalf. And we won." rial service last April. We thank Daniel Zinn called Luria last January, when Luria for sending them to Resist. he was quite ill, but "he dido 't want to talk about himself. He wanted to talk about the ILLEGITIMATE AUIIIOR.117 ***********************' ,-,~ WA-./~ ~ "61 war, which was soon to begin, to see if For l• fomi•tlo• •nd ara• I a•kldlaes wrile 10: Zinn came to know Luria 25 years there was something we could do. He Rnil{, One S'ummer SI., Somenllle, MA 021<'3 ago, not as a scientist but as a political asked me to come over, so I did.... I had The Resist Newsletter i~ published ten activist and organizer, the heart and soul of brought cookies but Salva already had times a year by Resist, Inc., One Summer an organization called the Boston Area twelve varieties on the table. He loved sci­ Street, Somerville, MA 02143 . (617) Faculty Group on Public Issues, ence and politics and literature, but felt 623-5110. The views expressed in articles, other than editorials, are those of the BAFGOPI. "He held it together, he made .that cookies nourished discussion .... His authors and do not necessarily represent the most phone calls, and collected the voice showed his illness, but there was no the opinions of the Resist staff or board. most money, to pay for those full-page ads way of telling he was so close to the end. in the New York Times for which He wanted to organize. He had ideas. Resist Staff: Nancy Wechsler BAFGOPI became known. The first ad Would I call some people? He would call Nancy Moniz was headed in huge letters with those others. He was suddenly full of energy in Tatiana Schreiber words which were the cry of the anti-war the midst of his pain .... Typesetting: Wayne Curtis movement year after year - and· which "He was usually impatient with are still needed: "STOP THE BOMB­ small talk, with tangents, with interrup­ Printing: Red Sun Press . ... ING." tions when practical organizing was being Printt1d on Rt1eycltld P1pt1r

Page Two Resist Newsletter November, 1991 Will the Real Uncle Thomas Please Stand Up?

as to what would speak to black people. because nationalists limit our understand­ FRANWHITE Only Senator Edward Kennedy could have ing of the tensions between individual provided a real alternative to the picture achievement and uplift of the race. They created by the right wing, but he was could not explain, for example, how Ayone who had an emotional stake silenced by his own sexist contradictions. Thomas could bring African-Americans in the Hill/Thomas debacle had many Nonetheless I still wondered why there into the Equal Employment Opportunity occasions to feel anger. I felt my anger were no moves to make Strom Thurmond Commission (given his power concerns it turn in many directions, but ultimately fix and Orrin Hatch pay for their racist contra­ was not coincidental that most of these on African-American nationalism. I have dictions. were women) but also act to restrain any always felt that nationalists understand the Democrats didn't have to bring up group-based solutions to systemic racism politics of mobilization better than do Thurmond's old Dixiecrat history; they and sexism: For all the faults that nation­ African-Americans of any other political merely needed to threaten to reveal alists are able to expose in the civil rights position. For this reason I have looked to Hatch's position on the last civil rights lobby, at least that lobby understands the them for educating our communities about bills. They could have exposed the Repub­ need for group-based affirmative action crucial race issues. But over the Long lican's close alliance with Jesse }:Ielms, against continuing and pervasive racism. Embattled Weekend, I kept hitting up who mobilized a vicious racist campaign White conservatives are all too will­ against the limitations of nationalist dis­ to keep a black man, Harvey Gant, out of ing to have us ignore these tensions. The courses and the way that their contradic­ the Senate. It was painfully clear that lib­ coalition between white conservatives and tions create a smokescreen around too eral Democrats and civil rights organiza­ black people who are led by bourgeois much that we need to understand. tions could not deliver anything of sub­ nationalists has a long and distinguished By nationalism I mean the hege­ stance to African-Americans. history. Thomas supporter, President Niara monic ideology in the African-American community that helps make sense of racism and defines black identity. Like all Nationalist ideology not only limits our understanding such ideologies, it illuminates some things of individualism, but also depends on our unwillingness to and obscures others. It defines acceptable black behavior, and can be expressed in confront the tensions between personal accomplishments everything from rap music to Spike Lee's and racial uplift. movies to radio talk shows. I don't see nationalism as equivalent to separatism, especially in this age when some of us live I want to focus my attention on Sudarkasa of Lincoln University, speaks in segregated society and others of us live nationalists, however, because they play approvingly of the way that he follows in and/or work in integrated society. such a prominent role in defining race the footsteps of Booker T. Washington. It may seem unfair that I single out issues. After a decade of Reagan-Bush, Thomas is filling Booker T's footsteps all African-American nationalists for my alternative voices have been neutralized too well. anger. After all, white liberals failed us in and even demonized. Ironically, with the Like Booker T., Thomas advocates a big way. The liberals' inability to speak support of George Bush and his gang of capitalist solutions for an economically to race issues was disheartening. With sup­ Willie Horton inventors, Thomas has par­ disenfranchised people. In the late 19th porters like these, I'm sure Hill wondered ticipated in the (final?) silencing of the tra­ century, African-Americans were told to who needs enemies. As just one example, ditional civil rights leadership. And he learn trades like shoemaking that would the Democrats allowed Hill's corroborat­ ultimately won the day by mobilizing prepare them for dying commercial ven­ ing witnesses to appear Sunday morning African-American nationalist sentiment tures when industrial capitalism was on when black people were in church or across class and gender divisions. continued on next page going about their Sunday duties. Initially I was interested to notice that many black Self-Help Ideology and Class Conflict * Ed. note: During the hearings, the people I spoke with thought the black wit­ Unlike Thomas, political national­ Boston Globe reported that one Thomas nesses represented the race well and con­ ists generally try to distance themselves employee at the EEOC felt "thwarted" in ducted themselves with dignity. What a from conservative whites who advocate all his attempts to bring "pattern of dis­ shock I got when I asked them what they self-help solutions to large-scale problems, crimination" cases before the agency. thought about Attorneys Wells and Carr but the unfortunate cross-over between the These are cases that involve pat.terns of (black witnesses for Hill) and learned that black nationalist and conservative white race or sex discrimination in a business. these friends and family members had not positions was painfully clear in the very This employee was ultimately fired from even seen the Hill supporters. person of Clarence Thomas. the EEOC, but later sued and won his job The liberal Democrats had no clue This cross-over gets obscured back.

#240 Resist Newsletter Page Three Fran White continued from page three the rise. (Marcus Garvey wanted to start a help us face this contradiction. defense of our womanhood. small shipping line as the shipping indus­ Instead, Thomas was able to tap into try contracted into a few, very large and Silent on Black Women the nationalist-sponsored belief that monopolistic companies.) Today we are Because of nationalists, we have a African-American woman are partly told to found small businesses while a few much better understanding of the ways responsible for the endangerment of multinational corporations spread their that African-American men suffer in this African-American men. We, especially tentacles around the world. We are told society. The Black Man as an Endangered those of us who are professionals a!}d/Or that if we have our own toothpaste factory, Species informs all our discussions on feminists, are said to have allied with the unemployed will get jobs and the race. Thomas tapped into this understand­ white interests against black men. Any whole community will be strengthened. ing when he alluded to the lynching of strategic alliance with white women is But how our businesses will compete in uppity black men. He spoke what black seen as a clear indication that we are the post-industrial age remains a mystery. conservative writer Glen Loury· calls "the traitors to the race. I wish liberals and Thomas also fills Booker T.'s foot­ ugly truth" - African-American men are mainstream feminists did understand race. steps when he acts as the arbiter of which portrayed as out-of-control sex fiends who Instead, they accept the terms that set up African-Americans should get the few need to be closely monitored by the state Clarence Thomas as an African-American crumbs doled out by a conservative (The Boston Globe, Oct. 15, 1991). These and Anita Hill as a woman. administration. When I think about the words resonate with black people because Both liberals and black nationalists way Booker T. undermined Ida B. Wells we could feel racism swirling all around assume that African-American women because she was too radical and he could Thomas. Unfortunately, only the right could not have our own race and gender­ not control her, I see Thomas' mentor. wing moved to explain this racism. based reasons for opposing Thomas. Many Nationalist ideology not only limits our understanding of individualism, but also depends on our unwillingness to con­ J wish liberals and mainstream feminists did under­ front the tensions between personal stand race. Instead they accept the terms that set up accomplishments and racial uplift. Clarence Thomas as an African-American and Anita Hill This ideology rests on the useless as a woman. saw from the 1960s that divided blacks into integrationists and nationalist radicals. The integrationists were all middle-class I agree with Loury that many of black people wanted to separate her alle­ Uncle Toms while the radicals, with Nat Thomas' opposition could only see his gations from "the issues." Yet, as a black Turner hidden somewhere in their blood, performance as what the liberal columnist, feminist, I saw these allegations as central. were men of the people. This formulation Thomas Oliphant of the Boston Globe, That is, they reveal Thomas's attitudes hides the complicities of bourgeois nation­ called "the monomaniacal rantings of toward women, particularly black women, alists who need mass mobilization for their someone lacking a judicial temperament and indicate that he will very probably fail individual advancement. and unable to cope with the huge chips on to safeguard our rights. It also provides no way to move in his shoulders." In contrast, many African­ As Hill implies, he was more inter­ integrated society. If all radicals must be Americans saw what Loury described as ested in power over a vulnerable black Nat Turners, we have no language for "dignity, determination and decency." We woman than he was in having sex with describing what a "race person" inside also knew that it was plain wrong to that woman. In this case, the issue of mainstream institutions would look like. believe that just because a black woman pornography and morality got confused Nationalists have no clear standard by indicted Thomas, no racism could be with power relations in which a male boss which to judge whether someone is work­ involved. We know all too well the way could keep a close associate off balance ing in our interests. And among the that our own people can, both wittingly but under his control. In my heart I felt Hill/Thomas witnesses at the hearing, I and unwittingly, act as puppets for racists. that his response to Hill's allegations was felt I was watching a number of self-help­ The second Thomas hearings consistent with the way Thomas treated ing, boot-strap rising young black people revealed that while nationalists help us his own sister. He spoke disparagingly of in institutions with no understanding that understand the racism black men face, her acceptance of welfare when she had an ethic of individualism can undermine they are silent about the experiences of quit her job to take care of an elderly fami­ collective political mobilization. black women. We knew a great deal about ly member. Many black feminists found Nationalist rhetoric also makes it the lynching of black men in the defense his insensitivity to her and other poor impossible to recognize our differing class of the white race, for the supposed protec­ black women offensive. interests at the same time that we work out tion of white womanhood. But the black Thomas mobilized nationalist dis­ coalitions that benefit large numbers of community had few skills for identifying course precisely because it does not allow African-Americans. We have to recognize with Hill's vulnerabilities. No nationalists African-American women to participate in that black middle class interests are differ­ came forward with language about the defining the race. Hill could be read out of ent than those of the white middle class rape of black women by slave masters. / the race as, at best, an unwitting puppet of and the black working and poor classes. felt like I was watching the gang rape of white feminists and white male liberals Yet, the black middle class both needs a an enslaved black woman. And I kept and as, at worst, a calculating feminist/1.es­ selectively mobilized black community remembering that no man - black or bian traitor to the race. That's scary stuff and acceptance by a segment of the white white - has been hanged for sexually for a black feminist lesbian like me! middle class. Nationalist ideology does not abusing a black woman. I heard no continued on page nine

Page Four Resist Newsletter November, 1991 Honduras conJinued from page one galpa, the capital of Honduras. There I ed in the national directorate of the union. French on the island of St. Vincent. In was trained in the chemical analysis of There were only three or four Black dele­ order to gain peace on the island, the food and first experienced the need to start gates ... but all the compafiero\as elected English expelled 5,080 Garifunas who up an organized fight because our salaries me president and gave me their full sup­ would not submit to exploitation. They as laboratory technicians were very low in port. landed on the Atlantic coasts of Guate­ comparison to other health technicians. mala, Belize, Nicaragua, and Honduras. That's how, in 1979, I came to be named The Political Context Today there are 44 Black communities by the group of workers in my center of In 1983, Dr. Roberto Suazo Cordoba along the northern coast of Honduras. activity to head up the first strike of lab was the president of the Republic of Hon­ Not one of these communities has technicians on a national level. duras, and the chief of the armed forces any government funded industrial or At that time we did not have a was General Gustavo Alvarez Martinez. development projects. These communities union. It was simply an association of lab During their reign many popular leaders have never been incorporated into the technicians. We won that fight, gaining a were assassinated and disappeared - national development strategy. Presently, 100% increase in our salaries and better crimes that have yet to be investigated or while we have 50% unemployment in working conditions. At that moment we explained. Organizations were taken over Honduras (out of the 2,100,000 inhabitants had a de facto regime, headed by General and parallel executive boards were that make up the economically active pop­ Juan Alberto Melgar Castro, who was imposed upon them; organizations were ulation), the percentage is higher within Chief of State through a golpe de estado destroyed, leaders were persecuted and the Black population. For this reason (military take-over). The government did incarcerated. The entire organized popular many Black Hondurans are living in the not take repressive measures against us, sector was violently repressed. United States or in other countries; they but rather they negotiated. They had no At that time we organized a broad must leave in order to provide for their social base, and for this reason they were movement that encompassed the entire families. Today, the Black communities of looking for a way to gain the sympathy of health sector. We incorporated all the dif­ Honduras are literally sustained by money the Honduran people so that the regime ferent unions into one unified front which that is sent to them by family members liv­ would have a popular backing. we called FUNSSH (Frente Unidad de los ing outside the country. I was transferred to La Ceiba at Sindicatos de Salud de Honduras), and we We do have economic and political the end of 1979. In 1981 I joined began the fight for better salaries for discrimination in Honduras, although SITRAMEDHYS (Sindicato de Traba­ health workers. The struggle was going according to the Honduran constitution, jadores de la Medicina, Hospitales y Simi­ well when, in 1984, at the National discrimination does not exist. [My union lares ). In my new position I opened the Congress of SITRAMEDHYS, where I has] not focused on this problem, but first regional laboratory dedicated to the was to be reelected, our union was assault­ rather we have intensified our focus on chemical analysis of foods. I soon became ed by conservative forces and a pro-gov­ class issues and the common interests of the regional chief of the entire program [of ernment executive board was imposed on those who have nothing and are exploited. food analysis]. However, by then I already us. This assault was backed financially We are in a process of creating a unity, a had within me certain principles and was and legally by the government and the fraternity that renounces all types of preju­ involved with the union. Actually, I gave famous APROH (Asociaci6n Para el Pro­ dice. more importance to my union work than greso de Honduras). This APROH-backed to the possibility of ascending [the man­ board was never elected, and consisted of My Own Story agement ladder] which is contrary to the paid-off workers. In 1985 the pro-govern­ I was born in Plaplaya, one of the interests of workers. ment executive board expelled me from most remote communities in Honduras, The same day I was sworn in as a the union. situated near the border with Nicaragua. member of SITRAMEDHYS I was also [At no time did this pro-government At the age of five, my family moved to the elected as a delegate to that year's Nation- board] achieve real power or authority, or, city of La Ceiba, and we lived, from an . al [SITRAMEDHYSJ Congress. At that in other words, the backing of the rank and economic standpoint, in a very precarious time the union had between 2,000 and file. All of the materials of the organiza­ condition. I was obligated to work from 3,000 members. Then, at that National tion, such as our accounting records, the age of five, doing what I could to earn Congress, having been a union member archives, all written information, typewrit­ myself a plate of food. Soon I entered for all of ten days, I was elected Secretary ers, mimeograph machines ... was withheld school and I combined schooling with to the National Commission of Discipline, from the imposed executive board. We shining shoes in the city's central park a committee of the union in charge of handed over nothing, although they tried until I finished my primary education. sanctioning those members that infringe very hard to acquire it. But the rank and At the age of thirteen I began work­ on the laws or norms of the organization. file backed us and told us not to. ing in a factory that produced grapefruit It must have been luck, because I The new executive board invited me wine. I continued to work during the day was just 22 years old at the time. The next to various meetings to discuss this, but I to pay for my secondary education and I year, after completing a year of union never went to those meetings because I did attended high school at night. membership, I returned to the National not recognize them as leaders of the union. At eighteen I finished high school, Congress and was unanimous! y elected That same year, in 1985, I presented and, without any kind of recommendation, vice president of the National Commission myself, and my case, at the National I applied for a position in the public sector. of Discipline. The following year I was Congress. Of the 111 delegates there, 107 I began working in the public sector in elected president of the union. I was 24, voted against my expulsion, 3 abstained, 1977, and was soon transferred to Teguci- and the first Black person to be represent- conJinued on next page

#240 Resist Newsletter Page Five Honduras conlinued from page one galpa, the capital of Honduras. There I ed in the national directorate of the union. French on the island of St. Vincent. In was trained in the chemical analysis of There were only three or four Black dele­ order to gain peace on the island, the food and first experienced the need to start gates ... but all the compafiero\as elected English expelled 5,080 Garifunas who up an organized fight because our salaries me president and gave me their full sup­ would not submit to exploitation. They as laboratory technicians were very low in port. landed on the Atlantic coasts of Guate­ comparison to other health technicians. mala, Belize, Nicaragua, and Honduras. That's how, in 1979, I came to be named The Political Context Today there are 44 Black communities by the group of workers in my center of In 1983, Dr. Roberto Suazo Cordoba along the northern coast of Honduras. activity to head up the first strike of lab was the president of the Republic of Hon­ Not one of these communities has technicians on a national level. duras, and the chief of the armed forces any government funded industrial or At that time we did not have a was General Gustavo Alvarez Martinez. development projects. These communities union. It was simply an association of lab During their reign many popular leaders have never been incorporated into the technicians. We won that fight, gaining a were assassinated and disappeared - national development strategy. Presently, 100% increase in our salaries and better crimes that have yet to be investigated or while we have 50% unemployment in working conditions. At that moment we explained. Organizations were taken over Honduras (out of the 2,100,000 inhabitants had a de facto regime, headed by General and parallel executive boards were that make up the economically active pop­ Juan Alberto Melgar Castro, who was imposed upon them; organizations were ulation), the percentage is higher within Chief of State through a golpe de estado destroyed, leaders were persecuted and the Black population. For this reason (military take-over). The government did incarcerated. The entire organized popular many Black Hondurans are living in the not take repressive measures against us, sector was violently repressed. United States or in other countries; they but rather they negotiated. They had no At that time we organized a broad must leave in order to provide for their social base, and for this reason they were movement that encompassed the entire families. Today, the Black communities of looking for a way to gain the sympathy of health sector. We incorporated all the dif­ Honduras are literally sustained by money the Honduran people so that the regime ferent unions into one unified front which that is sent to them by family members liv­ would have a popular backing. we called FUNSSH (Frente Unidad de los ing outside the country. I was transferred to La Ceiba at Sindicatos de Salud de Honduras), and we We do have economic and political the end of 1979. In 1981 I joined began the fight for better salaries for discrimination in Honduras, although SITRAMEDHYS (Sindicato de Traba­ health workers. The struggle was going according to the Honduran constitution, jadores de la Medicina, Hospitales y Simi­ well when, in 1984, at the National discrimination does not exist. [My union lares). In my new position I opened the Congress of SITRAMEDHYS, where I has] not focused on this problem, but first regional laboratory dedicated to the was to be reelected, our union was assault­ rather we have intensified our focus on chemical analysis of foods. I soon became ed by conservative forces and a pro-gov­ class issues and the common interests of the regional chief of the entire program [of ernment executive board was imposed on those who have nothing and are exploited. food analysis]. However, by then I already us. This assault was backed financially We are in a process of creating a unity, a had within me certain principles and was and legally by the government and the fraternity that renounces all types of preju­ involved with the union. Actually, I gave famous APROH (Asociaci6n Para el Pro­ dice. more importance to my union work than greso de Honduras). This APROH-backed to the possibility of ascending [the man­ board was never elected, and consisted of My Own Story agement ladder] which is contrary to the paid-off workers. In 1985 the pro-govern­ I was born in Plaplaya, one of the interests of workers. ment executive board expelled me from most remote communities in Honduras, The same day I was sworn in as a the union. situated near the border with Nicaragua. member of SITRAMEDHYS I was also [At no time did this pro-government At the age of five, my family moved to the elected as a delegate to that year's Nation­ board] achieve real power or authority, or, city of La Ceiba, and we lived, from an al [SITRAMEDHYSJ Congress. At that in other words, the backing of the rank and economic standpoint, in a very precarious time the union-had between 2,000 and file. All of the materials of the organiza­ condition. I was obligated to work from 3,000 members. Then, at that National tion, such as our accounting records, the age of five, doing what I could to earn Congress, having been a union member archives, all written information, typewrit­ myself a plate of food. Soon I entered for all of ten days, I was elected Secretary ers, mimeograph machines ... was withheld school and I combined schooling with to the National Commission of Discipline, from the imposed executive board. We shining shoes in the city's central park a committee of the union in charge of handed over nothing, although they tried until I finished my primary education. sanctioning those members that infringe very hard to acquire it. But the rank and At the age of thirteen I began work­ on the laws or norms of the organization. file backed us and told us not to. ing in a factory that produced grapefruit It must have been luck, because I The new executive board invited me wine. I continued to work during the day was just 22 years old at the time. The next to various meetings to discuss this, but I to pay for my secondary education and I year, after completing a year of union never went to those meetings because I did attended high school at night. membership, I returned to the National not recognize them as leaders of the union. At eighteen I finished high school, Congress and was unanimously elected That same year, in 1985, I presented and, without any kind of recommendation, vice president of the National Commission myself, and my case, at the National I applied for a position in the public sector. of Discipline. The following year I was Congress. Of the 111 delegates there, 107 I began working in the public sector in elected president of the union. I was 24, voted against my expulsion, 3 abstained, 1977, and was soon transferred to Teguci- and the first Black person to be represent- conJinued on next page

#240 Resist Newsletter Page Five Honduras

continued from page five and only one person voted in favor. lack of national sovereignty, the external to enter a very painful discussion. In my Despite this, in 1986, at the next debt, and the government's policy of pri­ country 70 of each 1000 children die National Congress, the board did not per­ vatization in relationship to the health of between the ages of 1 and 5. There is one mit me to act as a delegate although I had the Honduran people. We made clear the doctor for every 1500 people, one dentist been elected as a delegate in my base. need for health rights for all Honduran for 2700 people, one nurse for 4000 peo­ They allowed me to be present, however, people, and for preventive medicine. We ple. In rural areas the ratios are even more with the right to speak (but not to vote), presented a plan for what the government disproportionate. For example, one doctor because the rank and file demanded it. In must do to solve health problems, and the for 15,000 people, one dentist for 16,000, 1987, the union's advisory council, which appropriate political strategy. and one nurse for 50,000 people. In addi- consists of all the sectional presidents at the national level, met in La Ceiba. They recommended to the executive board that I The cu"ent neo-liberal policies, both political and be named advisor to the executive board. I economic, are imported from the U.S. and call for the was also made a member of the Negotia­ privatization of all government services ... The government tions Committee of the union. · In our country an executive board has socialized the debt while the profits are privatized... and elected by the workers should be recog­ the people must pay. nized by the government, but when ther~ is a conflict, the government recognizes The project has been very positive. tion, there are problems such as: potable the board that is most convenient to it. In Two U.S. delegations representing differ­ water - 80% of the population is without other words, it does not recognize the ent unions, political and religious organi­ access to potable water; latrines - for the board that serves the purpose of the work­ zations have visited it. This project still immense majority of the people latrines do ers. exists and continues to demand that the not exist and they must relieve themselves government establish a health policy that in the open air, which spreads disease; Return to Legitimate Leadership takes into account the fundamental con­ electricity serves only 45% of the popula­ There was a growing demand [for a cerns of the Honduran people. tion. return of elected leadership] from within The infrastructure is also lacking. the rank and file, and the moment arrived Privatization and Health For 4.5 million Hondurans, there are 6 when the pro-government board felt des­ Unfortunately,· Honduras has come regional hospitals, 6 national hospitals, 9 perate and had to search for a way to down a road which has become very diffi­ area hospitals, 107 health centers with a resolve the rank and file's problems. In cult to travel for the overwhelming majori­ doctor and more than 400 health centers 1988 I was unanimously elected president ty of the people. I need only say that in without a doctor. There are hospitals that of the Debate Direction for the Congress 1989 the lempira to dollar exchange was 2 have been under construction since the of '88 in which the next executive board to 1. In 1990 the rate of exchange was 5 .3 1970s and are not yet finished. Their once was to be elected. I entered the race for to 1, but the health budget did not increase new equipment is deteriorating. union president, opposing the previous in proportion to the devaluation of the president, and was returned to the presi­ lempira. The health budget is between 10 Women Organizing dency of SITRAMEDHYS. The whole and 12 percent of the total budget. Howev -­ [At this point in the struggle for bet­ thing was not easy because the new board er, the budget for the armed forces is more ter health care there is no particular focus was contested. After five months of legal than 20 percent. Meanwhile, people's on women's issues.] In establishing the battle between our respective lawyers, the health deteriorates. Popular Health project we were forcing government finally recognized our official The current neo-liberal policies [of the government to face and resolve the authority. the government], both political and eco­ health problems of the whole population, Last year, our union's fundamental nomic, are imported from the U.S. and call including women. We are demanding a objectives were: one, to fight for the health for the privatization of all government ser­ 100% increase in the health budget, and of the Honduran people through the con­ vices. Each year less of the annual budget we are demanding that the government struction of hospitals, the acquisition of is destined for health, education, housing, cease its efforts to privatize health ser­ medical and surgical equipment, and the etc., and thus it is the people who must vices. To encourage a greater focus on development of human resources; two, to pay. This all stems from the enormous women's health issues would require a fight for the rights and interests of workers external debt, which is a product of the 400% increase in the budget. affiliated with SITRAMEDHYS; three, to wastefulness committed by Honduran The union continues to politicize fight alongside other popular organizations business in concordance with international itself and articulate the different needs of for the rights of our people; and four, to creditors. The government has socialized our members. We are 60% women and fight for peace, sovereignty and indepen­ the debt ( the people are made to pay the 40% men. In 1988, the position of Secre­ dence for Honduras. debt, reducing their own capacity to edu­ tary of Women's Affairs was created. This Apart from those four objectives, we cate themselves, acquire housing, etc.) was a step forward. Since 1987, we have have also established a project called while the profits are privatized. This poli­ been holding national women's meetings. "Popular Health." Through this, we have cy obligates the people to pay something The third was in 1990 and was called "For made visible the problems of economic they do not owe. Life and for Peace - Get Out the Foreign dependence, foreign military presence, To talk about health in Honduras is Troops." It was held in Comayagua where

Page Six Resist Newsletter November, 1991 the troops are located. This year's meeting Honduras) that is without international vices is a passive acquiescence to the dic­ was held in La Ceiba. These are opportu­ affiliation. That, generally, is the frame­ tates of the international creditors by the nities for women to discuss their situation work. Honduran government; in the second as women and as women health workers. place, the government is renouncing its Promises, Promises constitutional obligation to provide health Current Union Politics in Honduras [The current situation with respect care to the public; in the third place, the [To understand the current situation, to the government] is terrible. Rafael rising cost of health care has made it virtu­ one has to go back to] 1954 when the most Leonardo Callejas, when he came into ally impossible to gain access to health important strike in the history of Honduras power in 1990, promised not to devalue services for the majority of the people. I took place. That strike lasted more than 60 the national currency. Callejas promised also stated that several high government days and was organized by the banana there would be no intervention nor officials stood to benefit from privatiza­ workers. As a result, unions were legalized takeovers of unions. Callejas promised full tion. I mentioned the name of one of the in Honduras. The North American trans­ respect for human rights. Callejas vice presidents of the Republic, Marco nationals were shaken, and the power of promised there would be no layoffs of Tulio Cruz, who owned a food service the workers was recognized. Upon becom­ public sector workers. Callejas promised business that had been capturing various ing aware of the dizzying growth of the that all foreign troops would leave Hon­ contracts r~ently privatized in the hospi­ labor movement, the companies began to duran soil. Less than two months after tak­ tals. After that statement, Cruz brought look for a way to control the direction of ing office, he put into practice the com­ legal charges against me. the movement. plete opposite of what he had promised in All this was an invaluable educa­ They began to send different labor his campaign. tion. We resisted for 25 days with the full leaders to the U.S. and Puerto Rico in Thousands of workers have been repressive apparatus of the state aimed at order to give them a pro-North American laid off, new taxes have been decreed, gas destroying us. There were soldiers in the collaborationist mentality, and in this way prices have risen and the prices of staple hospitals; all means of communication assure their control of the organizations goods have been destabilized. In addition, were utilized to defame the movement; and thus maintain their interests in the labor leaders have been assassinated. The workers had to endure hunger; and yet we country. All of this occurred within the government has accelerated the process of lasted the 25 days necessary to force the framework of the Cold War between the privatization. This was the reason government to accept our conditions. U.S. and U.S.S.R. It must be understood SI1RAMEDYS held two strikes last year. We achieved the signing of a docu­ that the Communist Party has had a great One was in May and lasted 48 hours. The ment in which the government agreed to influence on all the popular movements other was in June and July and lasted 25 halt the process of privatization, rehire laid that have developed in Honduras since days. The most important aspect of this is off workers, recognize the right to orga­ 1921. that we began it at a moment when Calle­ nize unions, and respect workers' rights. In 1957, The FESITRANH (Fed­ jas had a strong backing within Honduran But, in practice, the commitment was sim­ eraci6n Sindical de Trabajadores public opinion. ilar to Callejas's campaign promises. More Nacionales de Honduras) arose with a clear tendency. It was influenced by the pro-North American ORIT (Organizaci6n Callejas promised full respect for human rights. Regional Interamericana de Trabajadores). Callejas promised there would be no layoffs of public sector In 1974, the FESI1RANH split into two workers. Callejas also promised that all foreign troops separate organizations because there was a growing movement [to separate] among would leave Honduran soil. Less than two months after some leaders with a class perspective. A taking office, he put into practice the complete opposite of small nucleus stayed with the FESI­ what he had promised in his campaign. TRANH, while the majority left and formed a new organization that is now the FUTH (Federaci6n Unitaria de Traba­ We had been planning this strike workers were laid off including national jadores de Honduras) which has a Leftist since 1989 when we organized Popular leaders, and another period of unprece­ tendency. It is affiliated with the Health. That is to say, we had already dented repression began. FSM (Federaci6n Sindical Mundial) developed a theoretical and political strat­ I was reelected president in the 1990 which is based in Czechoslovakia. egy. The Minister of Health did not chal­ Congress for a period that was to end in [SITRAMEDHYS is a member of this lenge us because he did not believe we 1992. However, the government refused to association.] were capable of paralyzing services, but certify the executive board because I still At the beginning of the '70s, the on the second day of the strike we had had legal charges standing against me. In (CGT) Central General de Trabajadores more than 80% of all health services December I had to resign my position. I was formed, which is of a social demo­ closed down. called for an extraordinary Congress so cratic tendency. And, there is the CTH The Minister of Health and I were that a new brother could be elected, thus (Confederaci6n de Trabajadores de Hon­ invited to a live public debate on televi­ avoiding another government takeover of duras) which is affiliated with the AFL­ sion. I explained the problems and the rea­ the leadership. CIO. Finally, there is the FITH (Fed­ son for the strike in following way: In the I had also been elected treasurer of eraci6n Independiente de Trabajadores de first place, the privatization of health ser- continued on next page

#240 Resist Newsletter Page Seven Honduras continued from page seven FESITRANH in 1989. When my service and the full exercise of union activities opinion, the Central American problem is ended in April of this year, I was reelected must be respected. The external debt prob­ resolved. That is not the case. The people for another period that was to end in 1993, lem must be addressed. Honduras must of Central America continue to be sub­ but I have been informed that the govern­ not pay the debt and the money destined merged in misery, in exploitation, in ment is refusing to certify that board for that payment must be diverted to the poverty. We are giving free reign to those because of my presence. It is very proba­ education, health, housing, and agrarian who exploit us if we even begin to believe ble that upon returning to Honduras I will reform needed by the Honduran people. that the situation has improved. More have to renounce that position as well. The process of privatization of strategic attention must be placed on Central Amer­ That is to say, I have been persecuted by state institutions must be halted. And ica, on what is occurring in Honduras, and the state for the truths that I reveal each finally, the money now destined for the the role that the U.S. troops play in rela­ time that I open my mouth, and for my maintenance of the armed forces must be tion to the rest of the countries in the Cen- credibility among the Honduran people. diverted so that our people may eat, edu­ tral American region. • cate themselves, and be healthy. It seems I believe in the people's struggle. Anyone wislung to learn more about cur­ What the go:vernment is really doing is to me that when these basic matters are rent labor issues in Honduras may write: recognizing me as a leader, no? In other addressed, an atmosphere of democratiza­ Celeo Alvarez Casi/do, Apartado Postal words, whether from within the labor tion and political liberty can be generated. #1909, San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Tel: movement or from without, I will continue Our situation is a difficult one. (504) 57-7092 or 53-2539. Locally, for to fight alongside the people. Unfortunately, today you hardly hear any information on Honduras, write: Comite news from Central America and much less Hondureno Francisco Morazan, P.O. Box International Support from Honduras. I believe that we are 8971, Boston, MA 02114. Tel. (617) 884- STIRAMEDHYS has only recently falling into the game plan of the transna­ 3128. Special thanks to Cristy Costello begun to cultivate international relation­ tional monopoly capitalists because appar­ and members of the Comite Hondureno ships by sending union brothers and sisters ently, according to international public for their assistance with thi,s article. to exchange experiences. I have personally received documents of solidarity and mes­ sages of support. For example, in the 12th On the "Repression In the U.S." Front ... World Labor Congress held in the Soviet Union, of 37 resolutions passed, two be referred to the Honduran government and Baraldini Transfer to Reviewed asked that repression against me be halted. Resist recently received this infonnation about the current status of Silvia Baraldini. This year I visited Europe through the an Italian citizen held as a political prisoner in the U.S. since 1982. The following is drawn invitation of a human rights organization, from an open letter written by her support committee. and, as a result, a number of European Baraldini is serving 43 years in prison for conspiracy, a crime that usually gets no organizations sent faxes and many mes­ more than 12 years. Her charges included conspiracy to free Assata Shakur from prison. sages directed to the government (Three years of Baraldini 's sentence were for refusing to give testimony to a grand jury I have almost never mentioned my about the Puerto Rican independence movement) For two years, she, Susan Rosenberg and personal situation among my international Alejandrina Torres were subject to psychological torture in the Lexington Control Unit for contacts, but rather have focused on the high security women prisoners. She is currently housed in the new maximum security prison for women in Marimma, Florida. She has been refused repatriation to Italy, in spite of organization. However, I suppose that her sister's death in a plane crash in 1990 and her own fight to survive uterine cancer. In the presently it is necessary to speak up about U.S. the Release Silvia! Committee has joined with Italian Parliamentarians and activists to my problem because other activists, much campaign for her immediate transfer to Italy. less politically dangerous to the govern­ Baraldini's treatment at the hands of the U.S. justice system, according to the com­ ment, have been eliminated and that could mittee, is a prime example of the criminali7.8tion of dissent in this country. Baraldini was an happen to me. For this reason I have spo­ opponent of the Vietnam war while a student in the 1960's. In the '70s she was involved in ken with several friends here in the U.S. various New African groups and vocally supported the rights of colonized people to self and I am meeting with Americas Watch defense and armed sttuggle. She founded a material aid campaign for Zimbabwe and was next week. I believe there exists a desire to invited by ZANU to be an international observer in Zimbabwean elections. Like over 100 eliminate me because the government has other political prisoners, she has been labeled a terrorist by the U.S. government. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons constantly increases her security level, denies her ongoing medical care, not succeeded in fooling me or buying me and refuses her repatriation appeals. Repatriation is provided for by the Strasbourgh Con­ off. vention, an international treaty signed by the U.S. and Italy, among other countries. We also have friends in London, The Italian government, 90% of the Italian parliament, and coalition of women's including some members of the English organizations in Italy have petitioned the U.S. for Baraldini's return. The U.S. Justice Parliament, and we have been talking and Department denied the request in December, 1990, refusing to honor the treaty. Baraldini's writing, but international solidarity is more "lack ofremorse for any of her crimes" is cited as the reason. In December, 1991, the Attor­ important every day if we are to stop the ney General will again review the case and decide whether to honor the Strasbourgh Treaty repression in our countries. with Italy. The Release Silvia! Committee is asking that supporters send a postcard, letter, I believe international solidarity or mailgram demanding the immediate repatriation of Silvia Baraldini to Italy to the U.S. should focus on some basic issues. The Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice. 10th St and Constitution Ave., Washington, U.S. troops must leave Honduras. There D.C., 20530. For more info: Release Silvia! Committee, 3543 - 18th St, Box 30, San Fran­ must be a strict respect for human rights cisco, CA 94110.

Page Eight Resist Newsletter November, 1991 Fran White

continued from page four continued from page ten The hearings make it clear that we example, the group sponsors a youth WICOCA serves as the Midwest office of need to ask why a woman's loyalty to the dance group), works in solidarity with the national Interfaith Office on Accompa­ race goes through a much more rigorous Honduran popular organizations, and niment. test than a man's. Hill was held account­ serves as a liaison with other organizations WICOCA has organized and led 13 able but Thomas was forgiven. Of course, working for peace in Central America and delegations to El Salvador in the last two nationalists were not alone in their failure. elsewhere. The group uses a video, "Just years and has accompanied four repatria­ Bourgeois white feminists, white liberals, Before the Dawn" at house meetings and tions of Salvadoran refugees from the and the civil rights lobby could not see community organizations and is assisting Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras that racism and sexism intersected in the in the U.S. distribution of this video which and one repatriation from Nicaragua. Two way that Hill was treated by Thomas and focuses on rural Honduran women. human rights delegations have been orga­ the U.S. Senate. Until these intersections COHFRAM sponsors tours of U.S. nized at the request of a state congressper­ become a part of our political discourses, activists to Honduras; conducts workshops son. The group has also established sister black women will have no room to speak. about the reality of the Latino/a communi­ city relationships between three rural Wis­ ty in Boston and its relationship with the consin communities and the repopulated Fran White, blackfeminist lesbian, is also struggles of their people in their countries; community of Arcatao in Chalatenango. Dean of Social Science at Hampshire Col­ translated the book Honduras: Guerra Y The sister cities raise funds to purchase lege in Amherst, MA., and is a member of Anti-Nacionalidad into English; and seeds and agricultural supplies for Sal­ the Resist board. makes visible its stand against U.S. mili­ vadoran farmers. Since 1987, WICOCA tary occupation of Honduras. The group has raised over $75,000 to support self­ takes a strong position against all forms of sufficiency projects in health care, agricul­ racism and discrimination and collaborates ture and education in the repopulated with other groups working against racism areas. in the U.S. COHFRAM also supports This year WICOCA organized a women's freedom of choice with respect health care delegation to El Salvador, to reproductive and abortion rights. bringing medical supplies to repopulated COHFRAM helped establish a North communities and meeting with health American network, HONDUNET, consist­ workers. In August, the group sponsored a ing of North American and Honduran human rights delegation to investigate the activists in the U.S. current situation in northern El Salvador, Early this year the church that hous­ and in November, a delegation is going to es COHFRAM was broken into and the commemorate the second anniversary of group's typewriter was stolen. Resist's the murders of six Jesuits and two women grant was used to purchase a word pro­ co-workers in El Salvador. Finally, in cessing typewriter and office supplies. December of this year, a delegation will emphasize the needs and concerns of the Wisconsin Interfaith Committee on indigenous people of El Salvador. This Central America, P.O. Box 10, Madison, delegation will include several Native WI, 53701. American members. [BELIEVE ANITA Wisconsin Interfaith Committee on WICOCA has focused on the repop­ Central America, WICOCA, is an organi­ ulation movement because its continued zation committed to peace with justice in existence challenges the authority of the El Salvador. It was born in 1984 and ini-­ Salvadoran government. The level of tially focused on mobilizing Wisconsin political organization, democratic deci­ residents to take concrete action in sion-making, and community develop­ Are you torn betw~E{~ g~il)g to response to U.S. policy in Central Ameri­ ment, WICOCA believes, provides a sc~~~~

Resist Newsletter Page Nine ··•·. ·••:::·-.··;·.;:::-:,.··· .·· .. :•

In each issue of the newsletter we to the need to demilitarize Honduras, El teens including: the environment, educa­ highlight a few recent grants made to Salvador and Guatemala and support tion, job options, agriculture, etc. groups around the country. In this issue negotiated settlements to disputes in those The project was put into place, and we feature projects focused on Central countries. involved hiring a youth coordinator to America. The information in these brief While the group focuses on Central develop project goals; planning a youth reports is provided to us by the groups America, many of its members are active delegation to Honduras and Nicaragua for themselves. For more details, please write on local issues particularly housing and June, 1991; assisting youth in giving pre­ to them at the addresses included here. homelessness, anti-war work, and gay and sentations throughout the state; assisting lesbian rights. The clear message of youth in organizing study groups; dis­ Carolina Interfaith Task Force on Cen- CITCA is that tax dollars must be. spent on tributing resource materials on Central tral America, 1105 Sapling Place, low income housing, health, and educa­ America to teachers in area high schools; Raleigh, NC 27615. tion, not on making war in support of planning a youth retreat on Central Ameri­ The Carolina Interfaith Task Force repressive governments in Central Ameri­ ca "by teens for teens"; providing skills on Central America (CITCA) grew out of ca and the Middle East. The Witness for training workshops on writing letters-to­ a letter signed by religious leaders who Peace concept of standing with the poor in the-editor, letters to legislators, and visit­ met in 1982 to discuss what action they dangerous situations is applied not only in ing members of Congress; modeling and could take to support peaceful solutions to delegations to Central America but in teaching organizing skills such as coali­ problems in the region. Since then CITCA urban areas of North Carolina. The tion-building and communication. has organized 27 city-level task forces in group's minority outreach coordinator Resist's grant was used for outreach North and South Carolina. The group con- works to make the connections between to youth for this project. In a recent report ceived of the idea of Witness for Peace drugs, racism, and cuts in social programs from the group, we learned that twelve and worked to form WFP into a national in the U.S. and American foreign policy. youth and six adults from various religious organization. Over 250 Carolinians have Given that· the ongoing crisis of backgrounds traveled to Honduras and traveled to Central America in WFP dele- poverty and repression in Central Ameri­ Nicaragua this summer, and experienced gations and returned to work with mem- ca will require an informed response from first hand the impact of privatization and bers of Congress, the press, and communi- future generations of U.S. citizens, CITCA other government policies on health care, ty and church groups. CITCA also has taken on part of the project of supple­ education, and basic needs in each coun­ sponsors letter-writing campaigns, vigils, menting the minimal education U.S. youth try. Since returning home the teens have educational forums with newspaper edi- receive concerning Central America. In given twelve talks to school and commu­ tors, speaking tours, a media alert·net- August, 1990, teens who had been to Cen­ nity groups, have met with their Congres­ work, and Pilgrimages for Peace across tral America, teens interested in Central sional representatives, and have planned North Carolina. America, and CITCA adults met to discuss and carried out the youth retreat on Cen­ In 1991 and 1992, CITCA is focus- how to include teens in the CITCA net­ tral America. ing its action/education programs on mak- work. The teens recommended basing a ing visible the linkages between Central youth project on study tours to the region Comite Hondurefio Francisco Morazan, America and the Persian Gulf, the envi- and peer education through faith commu­ P.O. Box 8971, Boston, MA 02114. ronment, and iooverty in the southern U.S. nities, schools, and social/political groups. The Comite Hondurefio Francisco The group has worked to increase the par- They felt it was essential to stress the Morazan (COHFRAM) was formed in ticipation of youth in peace and justice interdependence of the issues in Central March, 1987, by members of the Boston­ work, and has turned particular attention America with other issues of concern to area Honduran community. Its primary r------concern was and is the deepening political Join the Resist Pledge Program 7 crisis in Honduras, including: increases in human rights violations - torture, disap- We'd like you to consider becoming a • Yes! I would like to become a Resist: pearances, extra-judicial assassinations - Resist Pledge. Pledges account for over Pledge. I'd like to pledge$____ / 1 against unionists, peasant leaders, and oth­ 25 % of our income. By becoming a ______(monthly, bi- I ers active in Honduran organizations; pledge, you help guarantee Resist a monthly, quarterly, 2x a year, yearly). I increased militarization of the country due fixed and dependable source of income E d • d t •b t· 1 . h b 'Id k' • nc Iose 1s my p1 e ge con r1 u 100 I on w h1c we can m our grant ma mg f $ to U.S. military aid, U.S. intelligence and O 1 program. In return, we will send you a ---- I training operations, and U.S. support for monthly pledge letter and reminder, • I can't join the pledge program just I the contras; and the denial of national self­ along with your newsletter. We will now, but here's a contribution to sup- I determination for the Honduran people keep you up-to-date on the groups we port your work. $____ : due to foreign domination. have funded, and the other work being Name ______l COHFRAM provides information to done at Resist. So take the plunge and I the local Honduran community about the become a Resist Pledge! We count on Address ______, political situation in Honduras and you, and the groups we fund count on City/State/Zip ______: attempts to increase public awareness us. I about this in the Boston area. In addition, Resist I One Summer Street, Somerville, MA 02143 • (617) 623-5110 I the group promotes Honduran culture (for - ·------conJinued on page nine

Page Ten Resist Newsletter November, 1991