mw HOT K PRE-CONVENTION ISSUE „^älMUlu.*..., v.523 40th Anniversary SEATTLE CONVENTION

5 Focus Areas Highlight Activity

The 40th anniversary convention of the National Lawyers Guild takes place in Seattle, Washington, August 18th through 21st. Over 1,000 lawyers, legal workers, and law students will »celebrate the rich history of the Guild, a history of intense involvement in the day to day struggles of poor and working people and the liberation struggles of Third World peoples, women and gays. The convention program emphasizes our committment to continue the development and implementation of programs in a wide range of political legal areas and to strengthen and build the Guild as we enter our fifth decade. The formal opening of the convention will be preceded by a full day Criminal Law Skills Seminar on Wednesday, August 17th. Jointly sponsored by

ness misidentification. voir dire, women and self defense, suppression of evidence, "Black rage" defense, cross examination and problems of con­ tempt. The convention agenda, prepared by Guild members in the Bay Area, will highlight five areas of special focus. A series of workshops will seek to police crimes, illegal surveillance and harassment, Other workshops will concentrate on the Guild's develop an approach to the increasingly vital fight and the death penalty. The Guild's labor program, program in relation to housing struggles, military for affirmative action and minority admissions, including safety and health issues, support for rank law and organizing, grand juries, criminal justice, including opposition to the recent Bakke decision. and file organizing, and practice under federal labor Native Americans, prisons and jails, unemployment, Support for the ever growing struggles against legislation, will be the fourth focus area. And the legislative and state bar work, and the fight to oppression of women and gays will be the subject of international work of the Guild will be further preserve and improve the trial jury system. workshops on the Guild's anti-sexism program. developed through workshops on Southern Africa, Anti-repression workshops will include discussion of the Middle East and Puerto Rico. —continued on page 5

Should visas be granted, these individuals would be the first Cubans to appear before a major Cubans Accept gathering in the United States since the ending of formal relations by the United States in 1961. Since then, the U.S. has imposed a blocade against Cuba which has encompassed both trade and travel Convention Invitation between the two nations. Only recently has the government lifted formal restrictions against travel to Cuba. An invitation to send observers to the Guild's 40th Arrangements are being made for the delegates to Anniversary has been extended to the National participate in Convention activities, including parti­ Union of Jurists of Cuba and the Federation of cipation in relevant workshops and plenaries. Cuban Women (FMC), and as of press time, the The Federation of Cuban Women is the national invitation had been accepted by the Union of Jurists. mass organization in Cuba which has dealt with An answer is expected momentarily from the FMC. questions of women's oppression and sexism in The invitations were extended by the Guild's recent Cuban society. The National Union of Jurists is a delegation to Cuba. newly formed organization which held its first Constituent Congress in early June. Its objectives include the furthering of the sociojuridical aware­ Address Correction Requested ness of the people of Cuba and of promoting the professional and technical training of jurists in all walks of life. In Cuba since all levels of courts have workers sitting as lay judges in addition to V8 professional judges, and lawyers work in collectives bUAKUlAN designed to make legal assistance accessible to all, 33 M i?TH ST there is^a high priority given to de-mystifying the NEW YURK NY 10011 process, and seeing to it that the legal processes serve the needs of society. The formation of the Union of Jurists is to help integrate that process. The assistance of local chapters may be needed to help assure the granting of the visas. Please call Frnaklin Siegel in the national office for details. (212) 260-1360. • OFFICERS9 COI/I/itfiV by MARY ALICE THEILER

While writing this column, certain events took place in the state of Washington which have also Growth And occurred in other parts of the country in the past few weeks and which underlines for me the importance of organized groups of progressive people remaining vigilant in their defense of democratic rights. At the Washington State Conference for Women, one of Development many state conferences being held to discuss issues relating to women and to elect delegates to the National Conference of Women to be held this fall in Houston, a very large group of highly organized In The Guild right wing women showed up and succeeded in swaying tfe"\êIêctTon "of national delegates to the anti-ERA forces, as well as putting the conference on NEB delegates are elected for a term and make a ^record against the ERA. In the political struggle that commitment to serve for a definite period as well as energetically attempting to formulate a pattern of ensued, issues relating to day care, abortion, gay assuming certain other chapter responsibilities. We activity, getting away from the spontaneity and rights and third world women were lost in the are becoming more successful in making the NEC a disconnectedness that has plagued much of our shuffle. At one point, it even seemed possible that functioning leadership body that operates more international work in the past. anti-gay resolutions would emerge from the gay consistently between national meetings—this was a By defining programmatic work as "activity" it is caucus due to packing of the meeting by right-wing stated goal of the national office when I was a staff obvious that the mere passage of resolutions of forces. This same maneuver has occurred through­ member. The out-going national officers succeeded support does not qualify for program. Learning how out the country, where right-wing forces have been to a significant degree in operating collectively and to develop program is perhaps one of the hardest similarly successful, and in many cases will control working as a unit, which in my opinion has greatly lessons for an organizer. Social activism is not a state delegations to the national conference* These benefited the growth of the organization. Another virtue that is taught or encouraged in this society. In state conferences are by no means revolutionary in important aspect is the development of well-esta­ this sense, the importance of a national organization perspective. In fact, the purpose of the national blished chapter structures with more and more becomes most apparent. While most chapters do not conference is to make recommendations for a chapters opening staffed offices and creating viable have the skilled resource people or the ability to take Presidential report on women. However, progressive leadership and decision-making bodies. The quality on by themselves all the areas of work that need people can unite with almost all aspects of their of our project and chapter newsletters is constantly support in their city, the Guild brings to those program. And the effect that the right-wing improving, with Guild Notes being an outstanding chapters the experiences and the resources of other delegates will have on the national conference may example. people who have tackled the same problems. But well be a set-back to the passage of the ERA. As a result of these and other developments, we unless we are willing to make commitments, and to What this should teach us is that our enemies are have become a more effective organization. But a follow through with our time and our skills we will well-organized—nationally and at all levels—are number of areas still need attention. soon become irrelevant. While time is often our most determined, and are thinking strategically. To the The most glaring area is fundraising. While a elusive resource, it is at the same time our most extent that we forget this, particularly as legal number of chapters have succeeded in taking control important contribution and should perhaps become people who have set for ourselves the task of of their financial needs and regularizing their part of an unwritten dues structure. supporting the causes of poor and working people, fundraising, the state of national finances is constant The third part of the definition of program— we are making a serious mistake. crisis. Despite emergency appeals and constant "designed to achieve or further some articulated In attempting to make some observations on the letters, we simply have not succeeded in bringing goal"—is the aspect which is perhaps the best development of the Guild during the last year and a our financial development to the level of the rest of developed in our programmatic work. My own half that I have served as a national officer, this our development. In my opinion, we are well able to experience in the Guild is chronologically short—I incident illustrates for me the importance of raise the money to keep the organization operating joined the Guild as a first year law student in organized efforts in achieving social change. The from the strongest and most reliable of all September 1971 and am in that sense a "jjost-Boul- importance of organization is something we try to sources—from ourselves and from the people we der' ' member—but in the context of the last period, I impart to our rank and file or rent-striking clients, support—but we still have not succeeded in doing believe that we are now more than ever evaluating but progressive legal people too often forget to apply tiiis. ^^^^^^^ our program in the context of a_ broader political the same principle to their own work. For 40 years, Another area that needs attention is the purpose scheme. In the period that I have been active, the National Lawyers Guild has been bringing the and quality of national meetings. The organization discussion of the political desirability, impact and power of organized legal support to the peoples has gone through fairly substantial identity changes prioritization of program has decidedly increased. movements. A progressive legal person who does in its history, and the recent period has evidenced However, it seems to me that while our political not see the importance of joining the Guild is a very positive but fairly rapid developments in analysis of our program—the third aspect—has person who has not learned this lesson. structure and programmatic development. In light of increased, the first and second aspects have not Because of the significant role we have to play, it this, the role of national meetings is not as yet grown proportionally. is particularly appropriate for us to evaluate our completely defined. Each time a national meeting is Additionally, it is also my opinion that, on development and progress in some periodic way. planned, the same questions arise—how much balance, more of the political thought and debate Perhaps this is one of the more obvious roles of emphasis on organizing new members, what should that goes into our program occurs in criticism of out-going national officers—to sum up. Having been happen at plenaries, how much time for projects, proposed program rather than in formulating on the National Executive Board for the past three how to make meetings more manageable. A step in program in the initial stages. This stems from two years—as a national office staff-person and then as the right direction is the recent formation of the NEB sources. First, perhaps not enough thought is being national vice-president—I have made several obser­ restructuring committee, which will be making an put into the initial formative stages of our vations about our growth as an organization that I evaluation of the role of these meetings. programmatic work. Secondly, those criticizing thé wish to share concerning organizational develop­ Along with the strengthening of the role of the programmatic suggestions should become more ment, programmatic work and about the political NEC, national officers and delegates and chapter involved in formulating and implementing program, struggle that we have witnessed in the recent period. structures, many of the political responsibilities of rather than waiting to pronounce judgment on a final Our organizational development is particularly the National Office have been taken on by other proposal; I particularly feel that the latter error has significant, because in mind it lays the foundation sources of leadership. Because of those develop­ been made in the development of our anti-sexist for our political effectiveness and is an indication of ments, the NO's role seems less clear, and the staff program. Much of the defensiveness that has been the degree to which we take our political tasks has asked for the creation of a national committee at felt by those committed to developing a Guild seriously. In that light, we have made several the Convention to begin this important assessment. program of anti-sexist work comes from a feeling important advances. Programmatic growth is an area that we all that those who will (or who can be expected to) Our general decision-making structure is unques­ recognize to be central, but infrequently examine criticize the proposals have not demonstrated a tionably more broad-based, democratic and acces­ what is meant by "program". To me, "program" commitment to further that work either by their sible than ever. This is the result of several means an organized pattern of work and activity, participation in its formulation or in their own developments. The regional structure is much designed to achieve or further some articulated goal. programmatic involvement. stronger—regional meetings are playing an ever- * While I do not intend to review every aspect of the —Continued on page 16 increasing role, RVPs are selected in a more Guild's program in this article, I do think that a few democratic fashion, and are taken more seriously, general comments can be made. and in several regions a group of regional contact First, our program should be "an organized pattern". Too much of the work we do is reactive, people function in an on-going way between Pre-Conyention haphazard, and not developed with the care and August, 1977 regionals and between national meetings. It has Issue always been seen as a priority of the organization to precision that we all are willing to give to our try to achieve some continuity in NEB delegates in everyday legal work. We may have a general idea of Guild Notes is published bi-monthly by the order to strengthen this body—in many chapters, what "kind" of work we want to do—labor, gay National Office of the National Lawyers Guild, rights, immigration, anti-repression—but do not 853 Broadway, Rm. 1705, New York, N.Y. 10003 Mary Alice Theiler is Vice President of the Guild and spend enough time thinking through a cohesive plan (212) 260-1360 a member of the Seattle chapter. for our work that will take advantage of the many resources we have and that will involve the many Subscriptions: Members, $5 of yearly dues is for ********* ******** ****** * Another recent development which also illustrates the different facets of our membership. As a positive annual subscriptions; individuals, $10/year; connection between gay rights and women's rights in anti- example, the International Committee—which is institutions, $15/year; free to prisoners on sexist work is the recent amendment to a bill in the House involved in an area which tends to breed this kind of request. of Representatives that would prohibit the use of Federal scatteredness perhaps more than any—has esta­ funds to provide legal assistance in gay%ights litigation. blished subcommittees with specific lines of respon­ Second class postage paid at New York, N.Y. and (The Amendment was sponsored by Rep. Larry McDonald sibility and is trying to prioritize its work "according additional mailing offices. of Georgia.) Along with the recent Supreme Court decision to an analysis of current conditions. The Southern limiting use of Federal funds for abortions the parallel is clearly drawn. Africa Committee in particular has been very © 1977 by the National Lawyers Guild

2—GUILD NOTES—August, 1977 CUBA New Challenges As By PAUL HARRIS Blockade Weakens The Cuban tobacco worker flashed his wide, beautiful smite and began to sing in English as he took us around the factory; "that Old Man River, he just keeps rolling along. It was quite a beginning to an intensive 8 days in Cuba. Those days were so filled with learning experiences that it would be easier to write a short book than this article. However, I will try to highlight some of the theoretical and practical aspects of the trip and hope the reader can sense the underlying humanism and revolutionary spirit of the Cuban Revolution. Our delegation had been limited to only four persons, including a specific request for the President of the Guild. We viewed ourselves as a working delegation rather than a tour, attempting to build concrete ties such as the future exchange of law professors and law students, and to lay the foundation for Guild Cuba support work in the United States. We attempted and succeeded from the outset in creating a serious tone with the Cuban leadership in regard to our wishes while in Cuba and our follow-up in "the belly of the beast." The delegation worked well. Bill Goodman, his full beard touched with gray and puffing on a big cigar, looked strikingly similar to the head of the Cuban Jurist Association. Bill did a great job in his role of President, extending sincere fraternal greetings and acting with a graciousness and intelligence appreci­ X ated by our hosts. Susan Gzesh, who just finished law school and will be working in the national office in the fall was a key member of the group. She spoke Spanish fluently and related naturally with the Cubans, from the top leadership to the people on the street. These abilities of Susan allowed us to penetrate the barriers of culture and language and get a perceptive view of Construction Workers ai Alamar Project Cuba. (Having at least one person fluent in Spanish should be a requirement of future delegations.) Franklin Siegel, who has been a rock of organizational strength in the national office, played We saw the Camilo Cienfuegos Pioneer School, a against sexism, the Cubans see the law as a way of the same role in Cuba. Franklin, who has been doing high school, a day care center, a construction site, a transmitting socialist norms. A new emphasis on the Guild and other Cuba work in New York for some rural new community, had a meeting with the legal system may also be a result of two decisions. time, dealt with the many hassles of preparation: had leading judges and lawyers, a two-part interview First. Cuba has been reorganized from the six the important and appropriate materials; knew the with the local new spaper and a night on our own in traditional provinces into 14 states, creating in­ "diplomatic" problems we faced; and was the only the town square. It will be a long time before I forget numerable administrative tasks. Secondly, the one who managed to keep a written record of our Susan looking like the Pied Piper, followed by what pre-revolutionary anarchistic structure of caselaw visits. I juggled for the children in Camaguey, gave seemed to be half the children of the new community and statutes is being completely overhauled to bring out baseball cards and cross-examined people in through its housing complex and fields of peasants it into harmony with the socialist society. Conse­ meetings. and fruits. quently, there will be a rewriting and formal codification of the law. HIGH POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT AMIDST NEW EMPHASIS ON LA W It is difficult to analyze the role law will be playing ECONOMIC UNDERDEVELOPMENT in the future. My perceptions were limited not only Our eight days in Cuba included a heavy dose of by time and knowledge, but also by a negative Despite some differences, all of us agreed that one the legal system. The law will be playing a more reaciton to the use of law. This reaction is clearly a important role in the future. Just as the new family cannot understand the building of socialism without , —continued on page <¥ seeing the incredibly difficult fight against economic code has been used as a tool in the impressive fight underdevelopment. For example, there are two million people in Havana. We were shown "Old Havana," where housing is really delapidated and overcrowded. We were also taken to Alamar, a model "new town" about 20 miles from Havana which will eventually be large enough for 150,000. In This Issue But even in Alamar a. 12 story apartment building, takes 2 years to build; iron-workers in San Francisco can put up a comparable building in a matter of months. Over and over we would recognize the political development of the Cuban people as opposed to their Convention overwhelming economic underdevelopment. We Seattle Convention: 5 Focus Areas Highlight Activity Page 1 began to understand the difference between seizing Cubans Accept Convention Invitation Page 1 state power and transforming the society. I strongly Convention Agenda, Registration and Logistics Page 4 felt that the difficulties of building a socialist society Resolutions Page 6 in a poor country, surrounded by a capitalist Workshop Focus Areas Page 7 consumer world, and still maintaining a revolution­ ary perspective is a task fdr which American radicals have little understanding and less patience. I alsff *• Features felt that the Cuban revolution was aware of these Cuba; New Challenges As Blockade Weakens Page 3 problems and was concretely trying to solve its Rank and File Tackle Teamsters Page 9 economic and administrative problems while de­ Trving Times Page 10 veloping a communist consciousness and future. Grassroots Page 12 The Revolution is most impressive in the countryside. Consequently, our 2 Vi days in Cama­ guey was a highlight of the trip. Camaguey is the Guild province of the year and the site of the national 26 de •Officer's Column Page 2 Julio celebration, which commemorates the 1953 Candidates Statements II - - • • Page 1J attack on the Moncada garrison led by Fidel Castro.

Paul Harris practices with The San Francisco Com­ munity Law Collective in the Mission Barrio of San Francisco.

August, 1977—GUILD NOTES—3 GENDA, LOGISTICS

THURSDAY - AUGUST 18, 1977 FRIDAY - AUGUST 19, 1977 SATURDAY - AUGUST 20, 1977

9AM - 12:«T" Guild Project, Committee and Task Force 9AM • 11:30AM - Programmatic Workshops 9:30 AM - 12:00 Noon - Programmatic Workshops Meetings Anti Sexism Anti Repression 1:30 - 4:30 Anti Repression Labor Guild Project, Committee And Task Force Labor Affirmative Action Meetings Affirmative Action International Alternative Practice Housing 4:30 - 6:00 Housing Immigration ORIENTATION To The National Lawyers Guild Jury Selection Legal Workers and to the Convention for new members and people Military Law new to national meetings. Puerto Rico 12:00 Noon -1:30 PM - Regional and Chapter Caucus Meetings 8PM - Opening Of The Convention • Greetings and 11:30AM - 1:30PM - Women's Meeting remarks by visiting guests and William Goodman, A special meeting of Guild women to discuss the 1:30 PM • 6:30 PM • Plenary President. Keynote Address by Arthur Kinoy, long fight against women's oppression with a focus on the This session will include the election of officers. time Guild Lawyer and professor at Rutgers Law attack on the right to obtain abortions. School. 6:30 PM - 40th Anniversary Dinner 1:30PM - 3:30PM • Candidates Forum 10PM - Wine and Cheese Party Candidates for national office will present statements and respond to questions from the body. SUNDAY - AUGUST 21, 1977

3:30PM - 6:00PM • Programmatic Workshops Anti Repression (1) 9:30 AM - 12:00 Noon - Programmatic Workshops Anti Repression (2) Anti Repression Anti Sexism Labor Affirmative Action International International Grand Juries Labor Native Americans Gay Custody Immigration Legal Services 12:00 Noon -1:00 PM - Regional and Chapter Caucus 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Free Time Meetings An informal "Meet the Candidates" session will be held. 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Plenary

8:00 PM - 10:00 PM - International Presentation 6:00 PM - Post Convention Movies and Merriment The focus will be on the current situation in Southern Africa and the possibilities for program in the Guild. MONDAY - AUGUST 22, 1977 10:00 PM • 1:00 AM - Party and Boogie!! 10:00 AM - Post Convention NEC

Literature Tables and Literature Space is available for literature tables. Contact immediately: Seattle NLG 411 Smith Tower Seattle, Wash. 98104 PKEREGISTRATION FORM 206-622-5144

Documents to be included in Convention Packets Keynote Speaker Kinoy at H VAC should be sent to: Seattle NLG 411 Smith Tower Name Seattle, Wash. 98104 Convention 1,000 copies must be provided. Address

PODIUM COMMITTEE City State Zip Members of the Podium Committee at the Registration Convention will be Mary Alice Theiler, Vice-Presi­ Phone dent; Chuck Turchick, National Office; Jeff Kupers, Bay Area Agenda Planning Committee; Bob Gibbs, 1 will be attending the Seattle NLG Convention, and Western Regional Vice-President and an incoming wish to sign up for the following: And Fees Regional Vice-President to be selected by the Convention Registration Fee $ officers and the National Office. Banquet Tickets (August 20th) $_ This committee has the responsibility of providing Registration will be in the lobby of: chairpersons for the plenary sessions, recognizing Criminal Defense Skills Seminar $ Lemieux Library speakers for and against questions, making rulings (subject to override by the delegates), taking notes 10th & East Columbia (Mid Campus) I will be bringing children ages for and obtaining the sense of the body by votes. (dates) and will need childcare for them. (Upon preregistration for childcare, you will be sent Convention Headquarters PROXY RULES a special questionnaire listing special needs, etc.). Lemieux Library Chapters may vote by proxy on convention votes. Lemieux Library Proxies for the election of officers must be in writing Return this form to: 10th and East Columbia and designate the candidate to be voted for. All Seattle National Lawyers Guild Phone: 206-626-6200 other proxies are to be in writing and assigned to 411 Smith Tower another member of a delegation or if no members of Seattle, Washington 98104 Chlldcare: a chapter are present, to a delegate from another Professional childcare will be provided at no extra chapter. cost for members who preregister. You MUST contact the Seattle NLG chapter immediately with RESOLUTION PROCEDURE the number and ages of children coming. Please call Resolutions cannot be presented to the plenary 206-622-5144. unless they have first been presented to an CONVENTION REGISTRATION FEES appropriate committee or task force meeting for Non-Member attorneys and legal worker* $40 Food: •• ' debate and consideration. A resolution submitted in Member Attorneys and Legal Workers Income over $7500 30 Inexpensive meals will be available in the this manner can be presented to the plenary whether or not it was passed in the committee. All resolutions Income under $7500 25 University cafeteria nearby the convention site. A Law Students 15 must contain an implementation clause or they may guide to Seattle restaurants will be provided. Dinner/Banquet on Saturday evening 7.50 be ruled out of order. 4—GUILD NOTES—August; 1977* A1\D REGISTRATION

Seattle Awaits The Guild

Logistics

The site of our 40th anniversary convention is the TO GET TO SEATTLE UNIVERSITY beautiful Pacific Northwest city of Seattle. Washing­ ton. The logistical arrangements, a huge and tireless From the Airport: task, has been planned and arranged by the Seattle Chapter. The Hustlebus (S3) leaves every 20 minutes from 6 All meetings will take place at Seattle University, AM to 9 PM and every 30 minutes from 4:30 AM to 6 just a short distance from downtown. AM and from 9 PM to 12:30 AM. It takes 20 minutes to the downtown airline terminal. Housing The university is 12 blocks from the downtown terminal—cabs are available. By bus. take the *2— 300 dormitory rooms have been reserved at Seattle Madonna or #13—19th Avenue to Madison and University. The cost is $6/person, two persons to a 12th (Bellarmine Hall is 3 blocks south). room. For advance registration write or call: Office of Resident Student Services By Car: Seattle University Interstate 5, take James St. exit—proceed up hill Seattle, Washington 98122 (east) to 12th and James—turn left—go two blocks to 206-626-5920 12th and E. Columbia. Housing registration will take place at: Bellarmine Hall By Bus: 12th and East Columbia From Greyhound terminal take #s 7, 8, 22 or 25 to Housing is also available at the Mayflower Hotel 3rd & Pike—transfer to the #2—Madnona or at 4th & Olive Streets in downtown Seattle. This is a #13—19th Ave. to Madison and 12th. recently remodeled older hotel with a bar and cafe and restaurant. It's located a convenient 10 minute By Train: bus ride from the University. Rates are $16 single; North of station 3 blocks at 3rd and Jefferson, get Convention $19 double; $20 for government employees (legal any bus to 3rd & Pike, transfer to the #2—Madnona —continued from page I services, etc.), and $20, $23, $24 for non-govern­ or #13—19th Ave. to Madison & 12th. ment employees. To reserve your room, call Additional skills workshops will also take place in COLLECT (206) 623-4750. There is also free parking. From the Mayflower Hotel: areas of civil practice. When calling the Mayflower, you must say you are Walk to 3rd & Pike, about 3 blocks away, and take A special meeting is scheduled for women in the calling in regard to the rooms reserved for The the #2—Madnona or the #13—19th Avenue to Guild to discuss their position in the organization Guild, otherwise you'll be told the hotel is all booked Madison and 12th. and their approach to participation in various up. substantive areas. There will also be meetings for people involved in legal services and public defense offices, and a workshop on alternative forms of law practice. The development of organizing skills will be the subject of a series of meetings. During plenary sessions, major policy decisions on Guild program and organizational structure will be discussed and decided by the Convention, the highest decision making body in the organization. For the first time in the history of the Guild, there will be a contested election for national officers, providing a forum for varying views on the role of the Guild to be put forward, debated and resolved. Films on struggles in Southern Africa, Puerto Rico and the U.S. will be shown throughout the weekend. Our 40th Birthday Party, wine and cheese party and a dinner/get together for gays will highlight social events. And a Strong, broad based caucus formed across the country has made demands for sports, music and free time. The Convention provides a vital opportunity to meet with people from throughout the country who are involved in various political/legal struggles, to learn from each other, to formulate unified approaches, to develop contacts that will strengthen our work in the future and to Build the Guild. # TTm^pieam^smM^< RESOLUTIONS

RESOLUTION ON PUERTO RICO

WHEREAS: (1). All nations have the inalienable right to Resolutions Submitted independence and self-determination; (2). Colonialism, neo-colonialism and imperialism continue to constitute the principal obstacles to the attainment of genuine independence and Thus Far freedom in the world today; (3). The United States since 1898 has exercised direct colonial domination of the people of Puerto Rico and over the most important aspects of cultural, political and economic life of their country; (4). In the modernera, U.S. colonialism has taken on DEATH PENALTY RESOLUTION new forms without changing in substance the nature of the colonial relationship; (5). Since 1898, U.S. business and financial interests, WHEREAS efforts to restore the death penalty are with the protection and encouragement of the growing throughout the nation and the nation's U.S. government, have interceded in the econo­ death row population is growing, mic life of Puerto Rico, creating a social and eco­ nomic system which is characterized by: WHEREAS the death penalty is a barbaric and (A), a gross structural dependency upon U.S. cor­ useless punishment which is disproportionately porate capitalism; directed at poor and minority peoples, (B). extensive poverty, high unemployment and WHEREAS both political and legal work against the low wages; death penalty is lacking in coordination and focus, (C). an ever higher cost of living; (D). massive dependency on U.S. social pro­ THEREFORE, Be It Resolved: grams, including food stamps and welfare; 1. That the National Lawyers Guild opposes the (E). excessively profitable investment by U.S. death penalty in any form and under any conditions. businesses. 2. That Guild attorneys be encouraged to make (6). The valiant movements for independence and death cases a high priority in their work since every social justice in Puerto Rico have been brutally death case is also a political case. repressed by U.S. military, executive and judi­ 3. That all Guild chapters be encouraged to join in cial power. local anti-death penalty coalitions to fight the death (7). The U.S. continues to incarcerate Puerto Rican penalty on all fronts. nationalists Loleta Lebron, Oscar Collago, 4. That this work include legislative lobbying, Rafael Miranda Cancel, Irwin Flores, and Andres community organizing, education, case-by-case Figueroa Cordera, in U.S. penitentiaries; organizing as well as legal work. (8). The Puerto Rican people have the absolute right 5. That a Death Penalty Committee be created to to control and enjoy the natural resources and coordinate this work and to facilitate the exchange of mineral wealth of their island (including any pet­ new legal techniques in death penalty work. TDU RESOLUTION roleum deposits located in the submerged lands 6. That the Death Penalty Committee explore the lying underneath the coastal waters of Puerto possibility of creating a permanent office (preferably Rico), free from the attempts of the U.S. or its international corporations to exploit them. in the South) to handle death cases and coordinate WHEREAS, the International Brotherhood of Team- .is, in its 40 year history, resolutely anti-death penalty work. Q _ mulion members and therefore opposed U.S. colonialism and imperialism and could play a tremendous role in effecting progressive has supported the right of the peoples of the world social change; and to independence and self-determination; WHEREAS, many of these members, especially CRIMINAL DEFENSE SKILLS SEMINAR women and minorities work in very low paying jobs NOW THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED: On Wednesday, August 17th, the day before the and receive insufficient representation from the union; and (1). The NLG reaffirms its unequivocal support for official start of the Convention, a special Criminal Independence for Puerto Rico, and for its imme­ WHEREAS, Teamster leadership has flagrantly Defense Skills Seminar will be held. Special diate and full decolonization; abused its fiduciary responsibilities concerning materials will be distributed. For those who will be (2). The NLG supports the right of the Puerto Rican pensions of its members by filling their own pockets attending the Guild Convention, there is a special people to control and use for their own benefit the with finders fees and voting "loans" to individuals registration price. Among the topics and lecturers natural resources and mineral wealth, including who have little intention or ability to repay them; and who will speak are: all petroleum deposits located in submerged WHEREAS, Teamster leadership has a history of lands lying underneath the coastal water of collaborating with employers to break the organizing Voir Dire Puerto Rico, free from attempts by the U.S. or its Howard Moore drives of other unions, such as the UFW in California; multinational corporations to exploit them; Betty Levinson and (3). The NLG calls for the immediate and uncondi­ WHEREAS, the International and most locals are not tional pardon of the Five Nationalist prisoners. Cross Ex. run in a democratic manner and furthermore, (4). The Puerto Rico Legal Project is authorized to Holly Maguigan members who protest or who try to organize to oppose present the views of the NLG consistent with this & another speaker these practices are the subjects of physical violence, Resolution, to domestic and international bodies, harassment, union discipline and loss of job; and Suppression of Evidence organizations and conferences; e.g. U.N. Decolo­ WHEREAS, many rank and file members opposed to David Rudovsky ' nization Committee, the Law of the Sea these practices have formed a mass and democratic William Bender Conference, the American Association of Jurists, national organization, Teamsters for a Democratic etc. • Eyewitness Mis-identification Union (TDU) to change their union and turn it into one Henry Di Suvero that fights for its members rather than collaborating Marilyn Van Dam with the employers; and Prof. Elizabeth Loftus WHEREAS, the Guild has historically supported the efforts of workers to form unions and struggle for The Black Rage Defense democratic rights within those unions; Paul Harris NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that the National Women's Self Defense Lawyers Guild National Convention supports the Susan Jordan efforts of groups such as the TDU and will carry out Elizabeth M. Schneider this work/commitment in the following way: 1. Direct the Summer Projects committee to make a Contempt Problems Facing high priority the setting up a project with the TDU for the Criminal Practitioner Summer'78. Leonard Weinglass 2. Have an article in Guild Notes and the Labor Newsletter on the TDU within the next 6 months, to CRIMINAL SKILLS CONFERENCE REGISTRATION be written by Guild member who has worked with Non-member attorneys and legal workers $40 TDU. Member attorneys and legal workers 30 3. NLG Chapters shall be encouraged to work with Non-member law students 10 local TDU efforts and run articles on local TDU Member law students 5 chapters in their newsletters. (Not including materials at student rates— materials available to students for additional $10) 4. Have a speaker from the TDU at the next national All attorneys and legal workers registered meeting for a major workshop or for the plenary. for Convention 15 5. Direct the Labor Project to form a sub committee Students registered for Convention 10 to assist in the location of local Guild attorneys for (includes materials) TDU chapters to help coordinate TDU work and to draft the Summer 1978 Project proposal. # 6—GUILD NOTES—August, 1977 • A-IA;^»Ï-H^VÏ tw» \x*.%û*k WORKSHOPS

Focus Areas ANTI-SEXISM LABOR The anti-sexism focus for the Convention will The labor workshops will address a variety of labor concentrate on three areas that represent key battles struggles in which Guild members are involved, with politically, legally, and analytically, in the fight an emphasis on support for rank and file organizing, against sexism and oppression based on sex. The analysis of the political issues involved, and presentations and discussions will be geared toward development of the legal skills necessary to carry on both skills (what we can do as legal people) and the work. The Friday morning workshop is entitled program (what can/should the Guild do as an "Organizing the Unorganized" and will begin with an overview on common themes and challenges such AFFIRMATIVE ACTION organization, and we as members). The first workshop takes the broad area of the as open shops, runaway shops, race and sex family, and concentrates on the relationship between discrimination, multinational corporations, and The decision by the California Supreme Court in the state and the parent, specifically the problems unsafe and unhealthy working conditions. Panel Bakke v. Regents of the University of California, now faced by women on welfare, gays, and Native presentations will follow on three particular organiz­ scheduled for argument in the October Term of the Americans. Also planned is a speaker on the role of ing struggles: the J.P. Stevens strike and the U.S. Supreme Court, has signalled an extreme U.S. imperialism as exemplified by the so-called Southern textile industry; the organizing of clerical backlash reaction to the gains that have been made "babylift" of Vietnamese children and the federal workers, particularly in the finance and corporate in affirmative action in recent decades. The racist and state litigation that followed. sectors; and workers in electronics plants, with applications of the decision have far exceeded even The second workshop is entitled Women Fighting special attention to the relationship of occupational the wording of the decision, but strong movements Back, and will cover the interrelationship of rape and safety and health issues to organizing. are beginning to grow in opposition to Bakke and in battered wives, and women in institutions. Discus­ A labor law skills workshops on Saturday morning support of affirmative action. The Guild has become sion will be on the various remedies we as a will be moderated by Mandy Hawes, with presenta­ increasingly involved in this fight and will give progressive legal organization should be consider­ tions on how to defend against an employer's unfair special emphasis to this issue at the Convention. ing. There will be speakers on the Yvonne Wanrow labor practice charge, by Christa Mrak; workers The first workshop in this area, scheduled for case, the battered wives suit in New York City, the compensation practice, by Gordon Gaines; practice Friday morning, will present an overview of the development of shelters for battered women, and a under the Landrum-Griffin Act, presented by Amy situation with an analysis of the possibility of new development in prisons—special units for Gladstein; and presentations on occupational safety continuing special admissions programs with new "violent" women. and health and on representing an individual worker criteria, in the event the Supreme Court affirms The third workshop will be on women and the before the NLRB in an unfair labor practice case. bakke. Students from the Guild's Minority Admis­ workforce, incorporating the struggle to organize A third workshop, on Sunday morning, will be a sions Summer Project will present the results of their women workers with the special problem of women discussion of issues that arise in working on rank and work in drafting alternative criteria to insure the on welfare and the potential forced labor program file organizing. With Paul Harris as moderator, continuation of minority admissions programs. (called "workfare"). there will be a presentation on the role of acting as The second workshop, on Friday afternoon, will counsel to a caucus, by Marty Fassler; and a continue the discussion of alternative criteria, and presentation by a member of the Fruitvale Law will begin discussion of other specific programmatic Collective on how to survive doing labor law. Two work for the Guild in this area, including work on the additional rank and file struggles that will be legal issues and organizing in the law schools and examined are the Coors brewery workers strike by beyond. Sandy Karp and the movement of Teamsters for a The final workshop, on Saturday morning, will be Democratic Union (TDU) by Ellis Boal. devoted to finalizing a national structure for Guild INTERNATIONAL An additional labor workshop, planned for Friday members involved in this work throughout the afternoon, will address the fight to repeal right to country, as well as planning support for the national The international work of the Guild will be work laws, particularly as they relate to the struggles day of protest to be held on the day the Bakke case is discussed in three workshops, with the first being a of the Texas Farm Workers. argued before the Supreme Court. presentation on the field of international law: the importance of this area of Guild work, ways to become involved, and our relationships with progressive lawyers and legal organizations in other countries. Special attention will be given to an area of international law that is of growing importance to the struggle for power in the world, the law of the sea. The first major breakthrough in the U.S. ANTI-REPRESSION blockade against Cuba came with a resolution of the conflict over fishing rights. At the United Nations, The Anti-Repression focus concerns perhaps the developing nations are pushing for laws controlling largest area of the Guild's day to day work. On both their own natural resources. A particular conflict to the national and regional levels, the Guild is be addressed is the fight over oil rights off the coast committed to a broad program of opposition to the of Puerto Rico. A separate workshop will discuss the use of various parts of the state apparatus to hinder treaty rights of Native Americans and their struggles the organizing efforts of women, Third World and for land and resources. working people, and gays. The Convention work­ The second workshop will address a new priority shops in this area will survey this work and attempt for Guild work, the liberation struggles in Southern to supply some overview and integration. Africa. The discussion will follow-up on the Friday The initial workshop will examine the nature and evening international presentation that will cover in source of crime in American society and the use of some detail the current situation in Southern Africa "law and order" ideology as a means of social and and propose suggestions for Guild program. There political control. It will discuss the strategy for will be discussion of the status of the solidarity progressive response to these problems and particu­ movement in this country, with an eye towards larly the role of the Guild in struggling against the forming program for the Guild. mythology of repression. The third workshop, on Sunday morning, will be The remaining workshops will center on the on the Middle East. The Guild delegation will have ongoing and developing programmatic work. Topics just returned from a three week trip to Beirut, Syria, will include community struggles against police Jordan, and occupied territories. They will lead the crimes, including the use of "red squads" against workshop, discussing their trip and the current political activists; the continuing presence of situation in the Middle East. Proposals will be extra-legal reactionary organizations, such as the discussed for programmatic work, including possible KKK, the Nazis and ROAR, with particular attention participation in the Coalition for Human Rights for to the debate between the Guild and the ACLU over Palestinians, work with Arab community groups, representation of the Klan in its work within the and countering FBI harassment and immigration military; the importance of an ever increasing fight problems. against the death penalty, as the number of poor and An additional workshop, on Friday morning, will Third World people on death row continues to grow focus on our Puerto Rico work. Mike Withey, staff and the courts begin once more to authorize lawyer for the Guild's Puerto Rico Project, will executions. report on the work of the project. Development of ongoing support will be discussed, with special attention to questions facing the independence movement, such as the status question, and sovereignty over natural resources.

August, 1977—GUILD NOTES—7 discussion of the trauma of war in Angola with a young radio operator who we just ran into on one of our walks in the streets of Havana. In all our talks we felt a strong commitment to proletarian internation­ Cuba Delegation alism and a bond with the struggle in Africa. Those in the Guild who are critical of Cuba's actions in Africa might consider this sincere motivation of the revolutonary vanguard when analyzing Cuban —continued from pugc 3 foreign policy. Bergerian response to my practice in a capitalist from an apartment. They vigorously and tearfully A personal experience I had while there was legal system. However, one thing did seem clear: protested their innocence in an emotional hearing accidently meeting an American exile from the latino the importance being placed on the political which.shook us up. They were released on their own barrio of San Francisco in which our law collective consciousness of judges and lawyers. There are at recognizance (and may in fact be innocent). The practices. Seven years ago he had hijacked a plane least two indications of this concern. One was the other hearing was a mugging of a foriegn visitor. A after being wanted with 6 others for killing a 1973 reorganization of the practice of law which man, his girl friend and her 14-year-old sister were policeman. The others (Los Siete de la Raza) were virtually wiped out jriYale_Draçtice. In order to come charged with ripping off the visitor's watch. The caught, tried and acquitted. Gio came to Cuba, in his before the courts a lawyer must be in a government man had already confessed; the women had a words, as£ "dope addict off the streets.." We spent agency (like the Ministry of Finance, Justice, etc.) or contradictory story. The judges and prosecutor took a couple hours together and could see that the seven be in a law collective. The law collective we visited in this case very seriously, as they considered it a crime years in Cuba had been good for him. He had been Havana had three women lawyers, three men against another human being. The défendent was able to work, go to school, kick his habit, study lawyers and an older male legal workers. Most of denied bail and would have a 30 to 35 day wait in jail Marxism, and had become a stable, healthy, them were very politically conscious and greatly pending trial. The two women were released on their revolutionary conscious individual. We took photos appreciated our poster of Puerto Rican liberation. jwn recognizance, with the 14-year-old to be of him for his parents and for his seven-year-old boy One of the women was the president of the law ransferred to the juvenile authorities. who has never seen his father. collective association for the Province of Havana. The defense lawyer was an articulate middle-aged Gio and Gwen Newton (Huey Newton's wife) both She and the others showed a concern for the woman; the prosecutor a reserved fellow who looked told me the same thing about Cuba—that there is a ideological development of their companeros. This like an ex-Spanish nobleman. The court consisted of warmth and caring that northamericans are not used concern for ideological content was also apparent in 3 men and 2 women. The chief judge was an older to. People in one's apartment complex look out for the curriculum of the law school. black man who had been a worker before the each other, and there is not the isolation and hostility The second indication of the stress on producing revolution. The 2 black women were the lay judges so prevelant in the United States. jurists with a revolutionary perspective was our on the court. They had previously been elected as meeting with Dr. Miguel A. Duque de Estrada, the judges on the People's Tribunal, and recently had SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND President of the Cuban Jurist Association, and Dr. been elected to this provincial court. They sit for 2 FUTURE WORK Amado. These two remarkable men were original months of the year, one month at a time. At the end barbudos. (Barbudo is the term used to identify of the day I think our delegation felt good about the This article could continue on and on; we could those who fought with the Rebel Army.) They court as a true representative of the Cuban people. talk about the struggles against sexism and racism. organized the Revolutionary Tribunals in the We could talk about their great interest in our Puerto mountains during the revolution. After the triumph HOSTS SENSITIVE TO INTERESTS Rico Project. We could talk about many experiences. of the revolution, they became the leading prose­ But I'll end with two specific aspects of our trip. cutor and Chief Judge in the trial of Batista war Our visit was arranged by ICAP (a nongovern­ First, we invited a member of the Cuban Federation criminals. mental organization responsible for foreign delega­ of Women and a member of their Jurist Association Duque Estrada has been a leading troubleshooter tions while in Cuba). ICAP met with us at the to come to Seattle to address our Convention. This is for the revolution, moving from task to task as the beginning and end of the trip, was open to our harder to pull off than it sounds. By the time we had need arose. The fact that he has taken the position of suggestions, sensitive to our needs, and encourag­ left, the Association of Jurists had accepted our President of the newly formed Jurist Association was ing regarding future Guild delegations. Two of their invitation. If we can obtain a visa it will be the first no accident. And as he talked of the need to develop people were with us each day and taught us much Cuban allowed to speak to a general group of North the revolutionary politics of legal people, I felt my about Cuba. Magalys, a 26-year-old black woman, Americans. negativism toward law as tool of change slowly was our translator. Raul, a 30-year-old white man, Secondly, we hope to build ongoing Cuban melting away. However, away from the warmth, was our responsable. Both gave of their time and support work. The Cubans feel they arc in an energy and intelligence of Duque Estrada, I decided energy unselfishly. For example, Magalys was in the economic and military conflict with the United to withhold judgment until the legal process has a middle of final exams and had been assigned to our States. The economic embargo (blockade) has few years to develop. group at the last minute due to an illness of the other serious consequences on Cuban society. And Cuba is Oi with us suffering difficult economic problems. There is also see a trial at the level above the People's Court and then ran off to school from 6-10 pm (it seems like the terrorist activities of CORU, aided by the CIA. (which I believe is the first time a Guild delegation most of the Cuban people are in school as there are The Cubans remember with horror and anger the has been able to do this). There are two levels of day and night classes, and time off from one's . bombing of their plane last year which killed 73 criminal trials: the People's Tribunals, which in workplace to go to school). Due to the limited size of people, including friends from Korea and Jamaica. Cuba were referred to as the "base courts" our delegation, we were able to develop a close What could Bill Goodman and I say when a (formally, as the municipal courts) and the higher friendship with Magalys and Raul. They were open nine-year-old boy in the Camaguey airport asked us: level which is called the Provincial courts. An appeal and frank about Cuba and we shared life experiences "Do you know the people who bombed our plane?" can be taken to the Supreme Court. with each other. If they represent the young workers What could we say to him when he told~us that he We saw an attempted auto theft by a man who was and leaders of Cuba, the revolution is in good shape. wanted to visit the United States but was afraid of drunk at the time of the crime (the 5 judges took the Through our relationship with ICAP we met people the CIA? case under advisement, and we are supposed to find who had fought in Angola, including a personal Cuban support work, particularly to break the out the result in a few weeks). We also sat in on a friend of Amilicar Cabrai, who seemed to us to be an blockade, is necessary in the United States. By the couple of heavy bail hearings. One involved two influential military/diplomat. He had recently time of the convention we will have a proposal to young men (one who was a "militante" in the returned from fighting South African troops who had submit and hopefully friends of the Cuban Revolu­ Young Communist organization, charged with being mistakenly thought their tanks could "parade" tion can begin to give it the organizational support it part of a 3-person conspiracy to steal some items through Angola. We also had a fascinating deserves.

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NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD 853 Broadway, Room 1703 New York, New York 10003 For first year memberships, dues are $24 for lawyers and legal workers, $12 for law students, $10 for members of minority legal organizations (includes $5 for cne year subscription to Guild Notes) and free to jailhouse lawyers. < Name Address .zip. lawyer legal worker .« O jailhouse lawyer law student. grad. year member, .ninority legal org Guild Delegation led by Bill Goodman being greeted by ICAP's Wilfredo Rodriguez

8—GUILD NOTES—August, 1977, Rank And File The UPS rank and file group (now affiliated with TDU: TDU) had organized for that contract as well. Again there were rank -Und file demonstrations and a Tackle Teamsters newspaper, UPSurge, with a circulation of 40,000 or two-thirds of all unionized UPS workers. And again by ELLIS BOAL and to call another meeting in the near future. Over there were wildcat strikes in several cities—Cleve­ 100,000 copies of the brochure were distributed and land, Cincinnati, Detroit, Kansas City, Louisville and others. .*• Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU), a there was an exciting response from Teamsters from national rank and file caucus in the1- International Florida to Maine and from New York to California. The next month, in June, there were wildcat strikes Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), has grown in the By November of 1975 it was possible to call a by Teamster carhaulers in Cincinnati, Flint, and past year to become a real force in several key meeting in Cleveland which was attended by over 100 Detroit. TDC came out and supported the Michigan Teamster locals, and to become an influential voice of Teamsters from all over the country. carhaulers and won their support. The carhaulers the IBT ranks nationally. About the same time it was decided to begin the walked out again in August and again it was TDC For example, in Flint, Michigan this summer, TDU publication of a national newspaper of the Teamsters which supported their struggle. The carhaulers succeeded in passing one of several by-laws for a Decent Contract movement—the Convoy. As the published thousands of copies of a paper during their amendments it had proposed. That is not an easy task contract movement heated up Convoy moved from a wildcats^—the Sixway Split, which carried word of the in the Teamsters, where a 2/3 vote is required to monthly to a weekly and then to a daily paper during fight of Cincinnati, Flint, and Detroit carhaulers to change the by-laws; and where the union officers the period immediately before and after the official Janesville, Chicago, into Ohio and across the and the wildcat strikes. At its peak it reached a view any rank andfile activity with hostility. But Flint midwest. TlJD^assëdnonêëand got o^WöfTföTvöte on a number circulation of 40,000 copies—or about 10% of the Meanwhile, in June TDC held a pre-convention Teamsters covered by the contract. of others. The one passed called for the reduction of meeting to call for the founding of an on-going dues of laid-off members. In January of 1976 TDC called a demonstration at national rank and file organization in the Teamsters Howard "Tuck" Tucker is a member of TDU in the headquarters of the Teamsters union in union. TDC had grown out of the several strikes. Flint Local 332 and the editor of the TDU Flint Washington—the "marble palace". Over a hundred Then, in September, more than 250 rank and filers newsletter Skid Drop. According to "Tuck", the vote Teamsters from Los Angeles to New York City made attended the convention and formed Teamsters for a means that "... .the people in office now are well the trip to demonstrate for a decent contract. Democratic Union (TDU) in Kent, Ohio. A constitu­ aware of the fact that if we can propose a good slate— On March 13, 1976, demonstrations were called tion, by-laws, and program were adopted. In addition which we intend to do—their jobs are in jeopardy." around the country for a decent contract. Thousands to the call for decent contracts, including where Flint elections are in December, 1978. of Teamsters turned out. necessary the right to strike over grievances, the TDU In fights like these, around the country, TDU is building a reputation as the fighter for the rank and file Teamster. It is a fight against introduction of productivity programs at Jones Motor and Helms Express in Pittsburgh in Locals 30 and 249. In Cleveland today it is a fight of TDU and members of the rank and file Taxi Workers Alliance in Local 507 against leasing introduced by the cab companies to cut costs. It is Cleveland TDU which goes down to visit the fired drivers at Fisher-Fazio market who continue their fight against the driver management company Rentar. In Los Angeles it is TDU that helps turn out the Teamsters for the Coors Boycott Committee. And in the Bay Area in California TDU helped organize a demonstration against the discrimination by United Parcel Service for firing a woman named Evie Thomas. But it is more than a reputation that TDU is building—it is building rank and file support and organization that threaten in some areas to begin to dismantle the corrupt and compromised Teamster bureaucracy. TDU has its greatest strength in Detroit Local 299, the home Local of Teamster President Frank Fitzsimmons and of missing former President Jimmy Hoffa. In 299 the fight between the rank and file and went on to argue for union democracy, for an end to the Teamster officers has begun—with a bombing, In the Bay Area of California. 400 Teamsters discrimination against Blacks and Latins and women, firings, expulsions from the union, and a bitter demonstrated at the headquarters of the Teamsters and for an end to corruption and gangsterism. In struggle in the Local. Western Conference. Dave Ferrante of Local 85 spoke addition, an attempt was made to reach out beyond A business agent, who had recently testified in a there: "Up until eight or nine years ago we had a the freight industry to the 2/3 of the Teamsters who TDU court case, Pete Karogosian, had his car proud tradition in the Teamsters union that once we work in sales, manufacturing, food processing, and bombed—luckily no one was in it. Al Ferdnance and had won a condition at any level we never backed off other non-freight industries. Pete Camarata, two TDU spokesmen were expelled that condition. We have another proud tradition. It's In January of 1977, TDU launched by-laws from Local 299. As a result of a lawsuit, charges called the strike. And it's something we're going to camoaipns in three locals in the fight to democratize against Al were indefinitely shelved, and Pete's have to come up with and stand behind in the next few expulsion was stopped pending further union weeks."' the IBT—Pittsburgh, Flint and Detroit- In all three locals the group has made a respectable showing. proceedings. In Local 299 today a struggle is going on for control In Los Angeles 300 Teamsters turned out from 30 The growth of TDU has brought a repressive of the Local. Local officers will be elected in barns. In Pittsburgh 200 came out. In New Castle, response from the Teamster bureaucracy. Red_- November, and TDU will run candidates. Pennsylvania, 80. In Cleveland 100. Demonstrations baiting of TDU has gone on across the country—in So today TDU is a contender for power in some were also held in Portland, Madison, Seattle, Local 705 in Chicago, in Local 407 in Cleveland, in Locals and a voice throughout the country. It all began Indianapolis, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Local 299 in Detroit, and in Local 80 in the Bay Area. two years ago. Jackson. In Cleveland, the Ohio Teamster bureaucrats have In August of 1975 a Teamster rank and file group in On March 13 in Detroit 600 Teamsters appeared. organized counter-demonstrations to TDU and Chicago called the Concerned Truckers for a One of the speakers at the TDC demonstration was attacked TDU in the Ohio Teamster magazine. Democratic Union sent out a call for a meeting to Virgil Lane of Local 299—"I say strike if they ain't got To defend itself against these attacks, TDU has discuss the coming master freight contract of April, it by April 1, to hell with them. Now the first thing you drawn extensively on the legal skills of Guild 1976. The contract covers 500,000 drivers, dock people's going to hear at the end of this month is members across the country. This assistance has workers and warehousemen. About 25 Teamsters you're gonna get a 30 day extension on your old been an important factor in clearing the way for rank from a dozen cities attended the meeting—some contract. Now how many of you people out there want and file organizing. from Teamsters for Democracy, a group in Madison, to work another 30 days when we've had three years "TDU continues to publish the national paper, Wisconsin, a group from Cleveland, another from to negotiate this damn contract. When that contract Convoy, on a monthly basis. There are, as well, a Pittsburgh, some from the embattled Local in expires—no contract, no work. ' ' number of local rank and file papers: The Fifth Wheel Memphis, Tennessee, and others from Little Rock, By March of 1976 TDC had grown into a mass in Oakland and San Francisco, The Horses Mouth in Arkansas, and upstate New York. movement. Its slogan had changed from a "Decent Pittsburgh, Rank and File Speaks in Detroit, Speak Most of the people at the meeting had a long history Contract" into "Ready to Strike". Out in Cleveland, and UPSurge, the paper of the of fighting the Teamsters' employers and the Six hours, before the contract expired in Detroit, TDU-affiliated UPS workers group. trucking industry. There were several who had been TDC held a strike rally. That was the beginning of the For the future, TDU is involved in several national active in the national Teamsters United Rank and File strike. and local campaigns. These include running (TURF) movement of 1970 and others who had been When the national strike was called off, it went on candidates in local elections, a pension campaign to active for several years in local groups or caucuses. in Detroit as a wildcat run by the rank and file. Truck install elected rank-and-file members as pension A meeting came up with a rank and file program for traffic in Detroit was stopped by roving pickets who trustees, a national "Dump Fitz" campaign, local the upcoming contract calling for $2.00 in wages, a operated out of the truck stops. Mass meetings of campaigns to amend by-laws, and recruitment. good Cost of Living Clause, sick days, some demands hundreds of Teamsters were called by TDC, the TDU is today recognized as a legitimate rank-and- particularly related to road drivers and for certain organizer of the wildcat. file movement in the union nationally. If the procedures—the right to vote on riders and After two days the Detroit wildcat gave in due to movement continues to progress as it has up to now, supplements. It also came up with a name—Team­ isolation. The rest of the country had gone back to by the time of the next IBT convention in 1981, TDU sters for a Decent Contract (TDC). National head­ work. will be able to mount a serious challenge for the top quarters were established in Cleveland. TDC decided The next month the United Parcel Service (UPS) offices of the union. * to write and circulate a brochure with the demands contract covering about 60,000 Teamsters expired. Ellis Boal is a Guild lawyer from Detroit who works with TDU. August, 1977—GUILDNOTES— Battered Wives Huey Newton Returns Go To Trial TRYING

July 5, 1977—Today Justice Abraham J. Gellinoff Times of the Manhattan Supreme Court ordered a trial to be held in the lawsuit brought by battered wives against the New York City Police and the Clerk and Probation Runs Interference employees of the New York City Family Court to enforce their legal obligations to protect battered wives. For Kaufman In doing so, Justice Gellinoff rejected the NEW YORK (LNS)—A paid advertisement by the defendants' efforts to dismiss the case and prevent a National Committee to Reopen the Rosenberg Case trial of the suit or to have judgment entered in their (NCRRC) appearing in the Sunday, June 19, New favor at this point. York Times was "anesthetized" by the Times, Huey Newton Justice Gellinoff held: "For too long, Anglo- according to Debbie Stead, spokesperson for the American law treated a man's physical abuse of his After 2 Vi years in Cuba Huey Newton and his wife Committee. wife as different from any other assault, and, indeed Gwen returned to California. Huey went to Cuba after The ad included an open letter to Judge Irving as an acceptable practice,... If the allegations of the he was arrested three times within a few weeks, and it Kaufman, who presided at the 1953 Rosenberg trial instant complaint—buttressed by hundreds of pages looked like there was a plan to get rid of him. He was and sentenced the two to death for allegedly stealing of affidavits—are true, only the written law has charged with felony assault on a man who held atomic secrets. The rest of the ad was a verbatim changed; in reality, wjfe beating is still condoned, if himself out to be a tailor; the murder of a young reprint of ten documents from the FBI files on the not approved, by some of those charged with prostitute; and the assault of a cop. These charges case, and two legal definitions. The ad was originally came at a time when there was a contract out on protecting its victims.'' phrased more strongly and contained two additional Huey's life; a fact recently confirmed by Police Chief The 102-page complaint charges that the New York legal definitions. Gain; and at a time when the FBI was attempting to police unlawfully refuse to arrest men who beat their The open letter to Jedge Kaufman was changed destroy the Black Panthers. wives, and that the administrative employees of the substantially by the Times. Stead explained that the Family Court unlawfully refuse to allow battered On July 3rd, Huey returned to Oakland, where the Times refused to allow the letter to contain any women to see judges to ask for Orders of Protection. Panthers have a strong grass roots organization, implication that there was a plan behind the In total, plaintiffs alleged 13 separate claims of without any illusions about receiving justice. He machinations of the judge, the FBI, and the illegal practices against the three defendant agen­ praised Cuba and said he had returned because his prosecution. ' 'They wouldn't even let us use the word cies. Today's ruling refused to dismiss any of the place was at home fighting American capitalism. 'secret.' Instead we had to say, 'without the claims outright, although the Court held that two of Huey is being represented by a defense team knowledge of the public or the defense.' " Other the claims of denial of access to court applied only to consisting of Guild attorneys, Shel Otis, Dennis phrases disallowed were "collusion," "interven­ probation officers and not Family Court clerks. The Roberts, Paul Harris and Fred Hiestand. tion," "conspiracy," and "allied himself with the Court also ruled that a class action was not necessary prosecution." since the governmental defendants "are bound to The summation of the open letter charged follow whatever ultimate determination may be made, with respect to any and all persons similarly TFW Kaufman with violating the criminal code and the situated." Canon of Judicial Ethics (as it was called in 1953). It also mentioned a conspiracy which included the FBI, The plaintiffs are 12 married women who were beaten by their husbands and then refused assistance Marches On D.C. the prosecution, Judge Kaufman, and the media. The by the Family Court or by the police or both. Suing on Times forced the deletion of the word "media," as behalf of all married women in similar situations, the Last month, the Texas Farmworkers began a 2,000 well as removing references to a conspiracy. One plaintiffs are represented by MFY Legal Services, mile march through the South, from Austin, Texas, to presumes that at least part of the reason for this is Inc., the Center for Constitutional Rights, Brooklyn Washington, D.C. The marchers are now moving that the Times itself is implicated in the FBI Legal Services Corporation B and the Civil Division of along the following route: Austin, Houston, Baton documents (though not the ones in the ad). The Legal Aid Society. Rouge, New Orleans, Hattiesburg, Birmingham, According to Alexander Greenfield, legal counsel Atlanta, Charlotte, Greensboro, Richmond. On Labor Nineteen defendants are named in the suit, for the Times, the changes all were made with the including Police Commissioner Michael Codd, James September 2) the march will culminate with a aion vi removing any allegation that Judge Kenney, Chief Clerk of the Family Court, Robert demonstration in Washington, D.C, where the farm­ Kaufman participated in a criminal conspiracy. He Sullivan, Acting State Director of Probation, Gerald workers will present Congress with their demands for argued that such an accusation would be libelous. Hecht, Director of Probation for New York City, and a National Agricultural Labor Relations Act to obtain members of their staffs. collective bargaining rights for agricultural workers, and for the repeal of Section 14(b) of the Taft Hartley Act, which allows the states to pass so-called "right to Ramon Chacon work" laws making union shops illegal. The Texas Farmworkers march comes out of the Freed Grand Jury Snatches struggle for unionization waged in the rich valleys of Southeastern Texas, the "El Valle" region. Now On May 24 Mexican authorities took Chicano holding over 3,000 union authorization cards from activist Ramon Chacon to the middle of the farmworkers, the union has faced from the beginning international bridge at Hidalgo, Texas and per­ Chicano Activist threats from the immigration service, harassment manently expelled him from Mexico. He was greeted from the infamous Texas Rangers, and open attacks by wildly happy family members and other by gunmen working for the large landowners. Unlike supporters. The 19-month international campaign for NEW YORK (LNS)—Pedro Archuleta, a Chicano past attempts at farmworker unionization, the TFW is this political prisoner's freedom had been successful. activist from Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico, was organizing people on both sides of the border who Chacon was arrested in Mexico on October 2, 1975 jailed in ,New York June 30 for refusing to answer work in the U.S. Whereas in the past the growers while riding in a truck owned by a Mexican questions put to him by a New York grand jury made use of the Mexican workers to break the strikes acquaintance. The government said he was guilty of investigating several bombings by the FALN (Armed of those on the U.S. side, the workers resident on the smuggling guns in a hidden compartment of the Forces for National Liberation of Puerto Rico). He Mexican side are now supporting the union. pickup, and also charged him with sedition. After 3 was also refused bail pending appeal. Working and living conditions for the people in El days, which featured water torture and electric shock, Archuleta is the third person to be jailed for Valle are among the worst in the nation. Average Chacon signed an incriminating statement which was refusing to testify before the present grand jury. He family income is $3216 a year—second lowest in the drafted by the authorities and which he repudiated at joins Maria Cueto and Raisa Nemikin in their U.S., with even lower wages for undocumented his first court appearance. He never wavered in resistance to the forced acceptance of "immunity," workers. Infant mortality is 125% above the national maintaining his innocence. and is likewise subject to imprisonment until May, average—and life expectancy for a farmworker He was held in prison in Monterrey, and despite 1978, when the grand jury expires. averages 49 years. the constitutional requirement that he be sentenced All three were members or employees of the The Texas Farmworkers struggle was endorsed by within 1 year, this did not occur until April, 1977. In National Commission of Hispanic Affairs (NCHA) of the Guild at the Norman NEB, and in the months of view of the political nature of the charges, a finding of the Episcopal Church. The government claims that the march through the heart of the unorganized south guilt was a foregone conclusion. He was sentenced to there was a possible "funding source link" between the TFW is in urgent need of support and assistance 20 years. However, early in May, the sentence was the NCHA and FALN. In addition, bomb fragments from the Guild. Nationally, we can contact our reduced to 5 years; the sedition charge was dropped were allegedly found in the Chicago apartment of congress people in Washington and demand that they completely. NCHA member Carlos Torres. meet with representatives of the TFW March for With this reduction in sentence, Chacon became Considerable evidence supports the widespread Human Rights in Washington, D.C. on Labor Day. eligible for release on bond, which was set at $3000. belief that the real purpose of the grand jury in New Locally, we can raise funds, co-ordinate media Supporters in the U.S. raised this amount, and on York and a similar one in Chicago is to harass coverage and pass resolutions to support the TFW, May 24 he was released. individuals and groups involved in Chicano and which should be forwarded to the address below. Chacon, who had been active in the farmworkers' Puerto Rican affairs. Guild chapter assistance along the route and in and other progressive movements in South Texas, is Meanwhile, in Chicago, one subpoena was Washington, D.C. will be needed to protect the now free to continue his political work. When asked quashed after proof was offered that it was issued by marchers in the event of arrest or attack, to contact what he planned to do with his first months of liberty the FBI in retaliation for a 19-year-old man's refusal media, and to do support work. We can subscribe to he stated, "I have a lot of reading to do. There's a to talk to them, and that it was issued without the TFW paper, EI Cuhamil, for $5.00 a year. For whole stack of movement publications I need to read authorization from United States Attorney Jeremy more information contact: to catch up on what's been happening in this Margolis, who was out of town" at the time. TEXAS FARMWORKERS UNION country." He looks forward to hearing from and According to the People's Law Office in Chicago, the P.O. BOX 876 meeting with those who supported him during his FBI and Chicago police offered his mother $2000 if SAN JUAN, TEXAS 78589 imprisonment. Write to 819 S. Washington, Mer­ she would cooperate, but she, too, refused. (512) 787-5984 cedes, TX 78570. Tel (512) 565-4608.

10—GUILD NOTES—August. 1977 ...... e 1 Pendelton 14 Fight On TIMES The Marine Corps' attempt to railroad the Pendleton 14 Continued this month with the Groenwald court-martial of Corporal Curtis Jones. Isolated from Victory In The the rest of the defendants, and under heavy pressure from his command, Jones entered a plea of guilty. On June 20, Curtis Jones pled guilty to charges of "City Of Coors" Disbarment simple assault and conspiracy to commit simple On April 5, 1977 more than 1400 workers walked assault. He was on trial before a general court-martial out of the Cqors brewery. Today, approximately half on charges stemming from an incident last November of the workers remain out on strike. Brewery Stopped in which Black Marines attempted to break up a Ku workers' union local #366 voted to strike due to Klux Klan meeting on the base. Coors' demand for an open shop, despite the fact Jones' guilty plea was a part of a pre-trial that the union shop has been a part of the contract The post-war government of the Federal Republic agreement in which the military equivalent of between Local #366 and the Company for 42 years. of Germany has been no more just to radical lawyers felony-level charges were reduced to the misdemean­ Also, the Company is attacking seniority rights as than its Fascist predecessor. Shortly after a team of or level. Given the government's overcharging in this well as forcing lie detector tests and physicals upon dedicated defense attorneys representing the cap­ case, Jones had originally faced a possible maximum the workers. tured members of the Red Army Faction (RAF)— sentence of 21 years confinement. Under the terms of At the time of the walk-out, out of over 1400 known to the bourgeois press as the "Baader- the deal, his sentence could not exceed one month workers, there were only 92 Chicanos, 59 Blacks, 2 Meinhof Gang"—began, through their successful confinement, reduction in rank, a fine, and a Asians and 1 Native American.. .90% of these management of the complicated legal defenses to suspended bad conduct discharge. people were hired after 1969. There were only 65 expose the crimes and prejudices of the government, women, all hired after 1972. It has been reported The government had separated Jones from the rest a series of laws were passed designed to hamper, and that Joe Coors has contributed to the "Save Our of the defendants, and placed heavy pressure on him ultimately to eliminate altogether, the effectiveness Children" foundation in Florida, which lobbies to accept a pre-trial deal. It was clear from the outset of the defense. against gay rights in that state. The question "Are that his attempts to obtain a fair trial would be you a homosexual?" has been asked of prospective One new law forbade simultaneous representation prevented, and that his command was bent on employees under-going polygraph tests. These of multiple accuseds—making volunteer defense in obtaining a conviction. minorities are continually harassed on the job, with mass arrest situations virtually impossible. Another A spokesperson for the legal defense team the approval of the Company. allowed judges to remove attorneys from particular explained, "Curtis was forced by the Marine Corps to The striking workers are becoming more and more cases if they felt, in their discretion, that the attorneys accept a pre-trial agreement. Legally he has admitted militant in the face of mounting attacks by scabs and were identifying with their clients, by their acts, or guilt. But we know that resistance and struggle repression by the police. Because of this militancy, even by their use of language. Another law did away against the provocation and terrorist practices of the many criminal and civil cases have arisen and with confidentiality of lawyer-client communications KKK is necessary. It is the KKK, and the Marine continue to arise out of the strike. once obtained by the prosecution, even if concededly Corps that fostered it, who should be on trial here As to be expected, the first of these "criminal" obtained by illegal means. And, finally, a new law today." charges involved an attack by a scab which was met allows an attorney to be "provisionally" disbarred on After hearing evidence about the activities of the by a militant 54-year-old worker, Henry Neb. On "suspicion" of misconduct. Although the lawyer Klan at Pendleton, and about Jones' good character June 21st a jury of four women and two men, (all disbarred has the right to a hearing at which he or she and record, the jury returned a sentence of three white and over forty) acquitted Coors striker Henry may argue for reinstatement, the hearing is slow in months confinement at hard labor, $240 a month fine Neb of destruction of property charges. coming, and the burden is on the lawyer. for three months, reduction in rank to the lowest pay During the 12 weeks that the strike has been in The first of the RAF lawyers to be provisionally grade, and a bad conduct discharge. They recom­ progress, strikers have been repeatedly run down, disbarred was Kurt Groenewold, of Hamburg. mended that the discharge be suspended. maced and threatened with guns by scabs coming Groenewold's office helped to coordinate much of the When his agreement and credit for time served are from and going into the Coors plant. defense for the complicated conspiracy trials of the considered, Jones faces an actual sentence of eight At Nebs' trial, in his final argument, the City RAF leadership—and continued to do so after he was days confinement, $150 a month fine for three Attorney informed the jury that a scab witness, Mr. removed from the cases, and. eventually, from the months, reduction in rank to the lowest pay grade, Callin was not on trial, nor was the picket line, but practice of law. The last week of June, after two years and a suspended bad conduct discharge. His rather the action of Henry Neb in relation to an of disbarment, and international campaigns on his sentence has been deferred pending appeal. ordinance of the "City of Coors, 1 mean Golden." behalf, and on behalf of other lawyers under attack, The other Pendleton cases are still stayed, awaiting The courtroom went into an uproar at this point, as Groenewold has won a major victory. The Court of the decision of the appeals court on the motion to the striking workers laughed loudly at the slip, which Honor of Hamburg, which reviewed the disbarment disqualify the Convening Authority. The defense characterized the real relationship between the cours instituted by the government, has reversed it, team spokesperson stated, "Nine defendants are still and the Adolph Coors Company. reinstated Groenewold, and criticized the flimsy on trial in this case. Some face more than 70 years in As the defense attorney Sandy Karp prepared to nature of the case against him. The liberal press in prison. These men are not criminals. They are Blacks leave, the judge asked him if he felt he had received Germany, which had led the attacks on the RAF who responded as Black people must respond to a fair hearing. ' 'I think the jury did a fine job, " Karp lawyers over the past two years, have suddenly racism and national oppression. It is our responsibil­ replied. announced that they always had supported the ity to defend them, both in court and out. The strikers are relying on themselves and the justness of Groenewold's cause. "We must remember that freedom for the 14 masses of people all over the country to help defeat Groenewold's immediate problems with the cannot be won through the courts. They will only be Joe Coors who has promised to break the back of all authoroties are not over, however, as criminal freed through the support and action of people who organized labor in Colorado through this strike. conspiracy charges have been pending against him are concerned with the issues raised by this case. BOYCOTT COORS! since shortly after his disbarment. The charge, under Without that support, they will continue to be a bizarre law, alleges that he conspired with his victimized by the system which perpetuates racism clients, while they were in jail, to help them maintain and supports and uses the KKK." their criminal identities. The only overt acts specified r. \ in the indictment allege that he operated, through his law office, an "information system" whereby he

made copies of news articles and clippings, and t/5 letters from the prisoners to each other regarding z their cases and their defenses, and distributed copies •J to the various prisoners. He is also accused of •o supporting—though not even of instigating—a U hunger strike carried out by the prisoners. At this point, however, since the courts have indicated a lack of evidence to disbar, based on the same information, Women Fight it is hoped that continued local and international pressure will lead to the dropping of the charges, Armstrong Sentenced which have been in abeyance since the heart attack of Sexual Harassment the trial judge in April, days before the trial was to A class action has been filed on behalf of Yale NEW YORK (LNS)—Dwight Armstrong received a commence. female undergraduates against Yale University for seven-year sentence in a Madison, Wisconsin, discrimination against female students by denying Federal court June 10 on charges of conspiring to Groenewold is well-known to Guild people, having them an equal opportunity in education through bomb and destroy Federal property, and covering up visited the States several times, and attended both sexual harassment. The suit alleges that Yale failed another felony. The sentence will be concurrent with NLG and IADL functions. His case has been to deter sexual harassment of female undergradu­ a seven-year state sentence handed down June 7, and supported by resolutions of the NEB and protests to ates and that through its refusal to create appropri­ will be served at the Federal Penitentiary in Oxford, the German Bar Association by past Guild presidents. ate procedures to address complaints and make Wisconsin. Guild trial observers Ellen Ray and Bill Schaap visited investigation of such harassment, interfered with the The charges stem from Armstrong's involvement Hamburg this Spring, intending to sit in at the trial, educational process of the students. in the August 1970 bombing of the Army and, when it was postponed, attended several rallies One plaintiff is a male faculty member who alleges Mathematics Research Center (ARMC) and the and teach-ins on behalf of the Guild, and spoke on that the atmosphere of distrust created by the sexual unsuccessful aerial bombing of the Baraboo Ordin­ behalf of the Guild's support of the case. harassment has interfered with his teaching and the ance Works, a military installation just outside The pressures on the German government, and the students' effort to study, and their relationships. Madison, on New Year's Day, 1970. exposure of these repressive laws against attorneys The suit asks for injunctions against Yale's further The 1970 bombing of the Army Mathematics must continue. There are more than 100 progressive lawyers facing disciplinary proceedings, and four failure to set up procedures and mechanisms to Research Center was the culmination of almost two receive complaints, make investigations and take years of antiwar activities on the University of other leading defense attorneys, Klaus Croissant, Christian Ströbele, Rupert von Plotnitz, and Henning disciplinary action against those employees of the Wisconsin campus. Army Math was a major target university who engage in sexual harassment. because of the Vietnam-War-related research done Spangenberg, face both disbarment and serious criminal charges. All charges must be dropped. Counsel on the suit is Anne Simon of the New there. Haven Law Collective of Berkan, Harvey and Simon. August, Wr—GUILt!NOTES—It r Guild Lawyer Law Of The Sea REPORT FROM Vindicated Testimony Maurice Braverman, a founding member of the At the National Executive Board meeting in Baltimore NLG who was disbarred in Maryland after Norman, Oklahoma, in February, the Guild adopted a a Smith Act conviction, has recently been re­ resolution condemning proposed federal legislation admitted to the Maryland Bar. that would allocate areas of the ocean bed all around THE An amicus brief on his behalf was filed by the the world to U.S. mining companies for extraction of Baltimore NLG as a result of a resolution passed at seabed minerals (Murphy-Breaux bill, H.R. 4582, the Columbus NEB. The brief was written by David "Deep Seabed Hard Minerals Act"). In implementa­ Rein and Joseph Foner of the D.C. NLG chapter and tion of the resolution, the Guild Intnernational is on file in the national office. All Guild friends are Committee presented oral and written testimony at a GRASS ROOTS extremely pleased at this victory. hearing in Washington, D.C. April 19 of the Ocean­ ography Subcommittee of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee. The testimony, presented by John Quigley, criticized H.R. 4582 as contravening international law because it involves a unilateral appropriation of international resources by a single country. The Guild Puerto Rico memo argued that under the concept of freedom of the seas no state has the right to appropriate an area of the ocean bed beyond the continental shelf. It also Project argued that in recent years a new international norm VICTORY FOR PEDRO VARELA has developed according to which seabed resources The PRLP successfully prosecuted a lawsuit in beyond the continental shelf are the "common federal court on behalf of Pedro Varela. Varela is on heritage of mankind," and that this principle the advisory board of the Project on the island. He precludes unilateral appropriation. had been fired from his position as coordinator of The memo continued, "To take over areas of the Puerto Rico Legal Services. His discharge was for deep seabed unilaterally is to repeat the 19th century union activity. In a landmark decision, the federal history of appropriation of Asian and African court ruled for the first time, that the federal courts territories by the European powers. It is 20th century have jurisdiction over the government's Legal colonialism. Passage of H.R. 4582 would convince the Services Corporation. Varela was reinstated as a countries of the Third World of the intractability of staff attorney and awarded back pay. the United States on world resource development. It CROWN CORK CONTINUES would violate the principles of the New International The Project in conjunction with Juan Ramon Economic Order, adopted as a General Assembly Acevedo of the Buffete Sindical, has filed a brief resolution in 1974. That resolution calls on "have" requesting that the NLRB issue a lOj injunction nations to permit "have-not" nations to catch up against Crown Cork and Seal Company and the Sea­ economically. Exploitation of new resources for farers' International Union. The injunction seeks to private gain by those with the power and ability to do reinstate the approximately 110 striking members of so is a thing of the past. ' ' the Union Independiente de Trabajadores de la Cork In questioning, Subcommittee members chal­ pending the final resolution of the unfair labor lenged the Guild position and argued that the bill practices charges against the same parties. Board does not violate international law. action on the charges may take up to two years The Guild's testimony was followed by that of U.S. thereby stymieing the work of the independent Steel and Lockheed, two of the companies involved in union. These workers have been on strike since international consortia planning to extract so-called September, 1976. For more information on this case "manganese nodules" from the ocean floor. The see the preceding issue of Guild Notes and the nodules contain nickel, cobalt, and copper. Other January and March issues oi Puerto Rica libre: mui. is planning extraction in the near future Copies of the papers have been submitted to the are Kennecott Copper and International Nickel. Labor Project Briefbank. Negotiations are continuing at the United Nations JULY 4th CELEBRATION - PUERTO RICO sponsored Law of the Sea conference to work out an In celebrating the 201st anniversary of the USA, international solution that will assure developing demonstrators gathered in front of the Federal countries a share in the proceeds from the minerals Building in San Juan to demand the release of the 5 Puerto Rico Journal and a way of learning extraction technology. This Naionalist Prisoners. The demonstration is part of would be done through an international seabed The Puerto Rican Journal of Human Rights (Revista authority that would regulate mineral extraction. the continuing campaign to free these five, Lolita Puertorriquena Sobre los D/rechos Humanos), is the Lebron, Oscar Collazo, Rafael Cancel Miranda, These negotiations, in progress since 1973, have bilinqual, tri-annual publication of the Puerto Rico become an arena of confrontation between the Third Andres Figueroa Cordero and Irving Flores. Guild Legal Project. The purpose of the Journal is twofold: members are also working on a lawsuit on their (1) to provide a resource for the Puerto Rican World and the" multinational corporations. The behalf. (Happy Birthday Uncle Sam!) Solidarity movement for understanding the legal, corporations oppose establishment of an internation­ political and economic realities in Puerto Rico al seabed authority. (2) to provide a forum for the interchange of views, Copies of the Guild testimony are available from Crimes Of Apartheid perspectives and developments for the Puerto Rican the International Law Subcommittee, c/o John legal/political community. Quigley, 1659 N. High St., Columbus, Ohio 43210. The first issue contains articles on Statement (1) Puerto Rico's right to natural resources, and The National Lawyers Guild presented a statement mineral wealth, including off-shore oil; recently to an international Commission of Inquiry (2) The Report of the Colegio de Abogados (Bar into the Crimes of Apartheid. The Commission, Association) regarding decolonization. (3) Rape in Puerto Rico. organized by a coalition of European anti-apartheid (4) The new school for workers. groups, held hearings in Lisbon June 16 and in (5) Jury selection in federal court in Puerto Rico. Vienna June 26 to publicize the internal policies of the (6) Discrimination in private employment in Puerto South African government. The Guild statement, Rico. prepared by the International Committee, points out and many others. that as a result of a treaty that went into effect in July The Journal needs your subscription to continue its 1976, high officials of the South African government work. are international criminals. That treaty, building on Individuals: $4 per year the Nuremberg principles, says that anyone who Institution or Library: $10 per year SUBSCRIBE! carries out the policy of apartheid is guilty of a crime Single issue price: $2 against humanity and is subject to prosecution in any Send orders to NCWO state-party to the treaty. Thirty nations have signed Puerto Rico Legal Project so far. The U.S. is not among them. National Lawyers Guild 853 Broadway NEWSLETTER New York, N.Y. 10003 The Newsletter of the Guild's National Committee on Lately, there' have been a lot of address changes Women's Oppression covers and debates current coming into the Guild by way of the Post OR political and legal issues in women's struggles. Office—after they have destroyed what we sent you $5 per year. Send to NCWO, "c/o NLG, 595 and charged us a quarter for the privilege of having Puerto Rico Legal Project Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139. our mail (and yours) fed into the paper shredder. To Calle Mayaguez #212 avoid what costs us over $100 per issue of Guild Apt. 3-A Notes, we request that you send notices of your Hato Rey, PR 00917 NAME change of address as soon as you are aware of it along with an old label from Guild Notes if possible. Name . This will assure that you do not miss any issues of Address ADDRESS the paper, will keep these materials out of the hungry mouth of the Post Office paper shredder, and City State Zip you'll save the national organization lots of money on CITY STATE ZIP returns.

vA t^löuiimröTES^Augxst,>i977 1 Candidates ' Statements

In the last issue of Guild Notes candidates for Guild officer positions presented their election plat­ Ruth Moscovitch, forms. In (his issue, they elaborate on ideas presented in Hank di Suvero, President that issue. President Robin Collins, Bill Hazleton and I are runnning in these The Guild is at a point in our history when we must elections as representatives of the Anti-Imperialist begin to consciously develop priority areas for our work. Caucus, The whole caucus has been working on a written As the anti-imperialist movement in this country grows program for the Guild that we hope will provide concrete and strengthens, we are called upon to provide an guidance and a basis of discussion for our work. This increasing level of support to that movement. To program will be published before the Seattle convention adequately carry out those tasks, we must identify areas of and copies will be available from us or from other caucus work in which we can be of the most use to the widest members. sectors of the movement. I believe that the five priority Here I will dwell on the area of programmatic work areas for the allocation of national resources are labot, which 1 have made a priority in my own law practice and international, anti-sexism, community organizing, and my Guild work, labor work. Robin and Bill will be trying to anti-racism work. answer questions that many Guild members have raised In labor, we should maintain and increase our about why we have formed a caucus and what our commitment to rank and file militancy and build intentions are in the Guild. functioning labor committees throughout the country. We The caucus has articulated three criteria we can use to should also move towards the establishment of a Southern examine our work. One. Do we identify the system of Labor Project, to support the movement to organize the imperialism as the source of the specific oppression and unorganized throughout the region. exploitation we are fighting. Two. Do we expose the nature Our international work should focus on Southern Africa^ of the state, the government apparatus, as a means by and Puerto Rico. We should continue to sponsor speaking which the ruling class maintains its position and control. tours by representatives of liberation struggles, such as And, Three. Do we rely on the niasses rather than on the that by African National Congress (ANC) member Albie liberal politicians, reformists or union bureacrats to bring Sachs this past winter, and support local and national about the fundamental change. What do these criteria coalitions aimed at destroying the U.S.-supported apart­ mean for the legal work each of us do as individuals and heid regimes. We must build local on-going support for what do they mean for our collective Guild work? the Puerto Rico Project, and broaden our work to include Where people are fighting for example against unsafe closer ties with the Puerto Rican independence movement working conditions or discrimination in the shop, we must here. point out that the need of the capitalist system for profits is Our anti-sexism work should target areas that build responsible for the particular condition facing workers. programs in support of third world and working class This does not meant that we withhold legal support from a women's struggles. Possibilities include forced steriliza­ worker who only sees the injustice of his own case. We tion, labor work in predominantly female industries, etc. should, however, build a relationship that permits us to With housing as our central focus for community talk and struggle with our clients to see beyond their organizing work, we should expand to placing national immediate case. And we should lend support to those resources into welfare cutbacks, cutbacks in social service, individuals and groups who are already targeting and other areas which focus on the deterioration of the capitalism and imperialism as the cause of their problems. lives of poor and working people in this country. The issue of deportations is one in which it is Our anti-racism work should have a dual focus: minority particularly important to target imperialism. We cannot admissions, because of our specific responsibilities to oppose deportations on moral grounds, alone. We must provide legal resources to third world communities; and fight the present campaign to deport foreign born workers the broader question of affirmative action cutbacks, ' exposing the fact that unemployment in this country is particularly in the employment sphere. Both of these areas due to the economic crisis that is shaking imperialism focus on opposition to the Bakke decision, and both allow world-wide. The growing economic and political indepen­ us the opportunity to build and strengthen our coalition dence of many third world countries has cut off markets work with NCBL, LaRaza Law Students, and other third from the imperialists who must now put the squeeze on world legal organizations. American workers to replace their dwindling profits from Organizationally, we need to strengthen our finance abroad. Turning the native-born against the foreign born structure and the role of the National Office. We should is one way they do this. We should also expose how substantially increase our skills-development programs American imperialist investment in Latin America, and systematically hold a series of national as well as especially in Mexico, has destroyed the Mexican economy, regional seminars. Our organizing emphasis should be on driving thousands of Mexican people across the border to building the South, Southwest and Midwest as stronger, survive. It is only through this type of analysis that Guild more viable regions; national funding should be commit­ people will be able to make a contribution to the fight ted to this effort. To this end, I support holding the against deportations. February, J978 NEB in Atlanta, a proposal advanced by On the issue of women's oppression in the workplace we the Atlanta chapter in the hopes of strengthening their must show that it is not just a few formen taking chapter and regional work; advantage of women workers who are to blame for The emergence of the Superpower Caucus at the NEB in discrimination. The capitalists create a reserve of Similarly the California farmworkers by building mass Norman, Oklahoma crystallized significant differences unemployed and under-employed women workers which support and organizing workers of all nationalities forced within the Guild, and the Seattle convention provides an drives down the wages of all workers. They use the whole the state of California to grant them the legal right to appropriately democratic opportunity for resolving some of ideology of male chauvinism to foster divisions in the organize. Our stand at the San Francisco NEB in 1975 these differences concerning the nature and direction of workforce, pitting male and female workers against each against the farmworkers policy of turning in undocument­ the Guild for the immediate future. other. As in the Guild legal work done at GM in Fremont, ed strikebreakers to the immigration service was a good I am in favor of maintaining the broad based political California, we must seek to unite male workers in the Fight one. We took the position that we would lend our support diversity of the Guild, continuing its character as an for superseniority for women, or now if we take up the to the UFWA in the form of a summer project, only on the anti-imperialist legal organization directing its energies fight for maternity benefits. condition that no Guild members would be required to towards the struggle to defeat U.S. imperialism here and In labor work the role of the state is very clear. Every participate in the union's immigrationprogram, This was abroad. We should focus its primary emphasis on piece of legislation which created a remedy for working also the position of many of the union's own members, developing legal skills and supplying legal support to people, for example, the National Labor Relations Act or because they saw the policy of relying on the migra as one those political forces that engage in that struggle. Title VII, now is enforced in such a way as to subvert that that put Mexican workers against Chicanos or other remedy. Title VII litigation is so lengthy, costly and nationalities. Hank DiSuvero, while recently in Chicago, The Caucus' positions can be described as "ultra left" uncertain an avenue, that few can afford this remedy for stated that he was opposed to the position the Guild took in in the classical sense: left posturing, but right wing in discrimination. Anyone who has represented an individual '75. He said that our action had had no impact on the result. Their opposition to the CPUS A led them to oppose filing charges of unfair labor practices against a company UFWA, that we should have struggled with the UFWA 1 the North Carolina demonstration mounted to support the or a union will know the frustration of those proceedings. leadership privately and that the only reason the union democratic rights of Black people. Their opposition to the In one of our cases, a militant steward was kept out of his sventually changed its policy was because Jerry Brown Soviet Union led them to objectiveb/support those forces position for more than two years while proceedings .vas elected governor of California and got the law passed backed by the CIA and South Africa in Angola; that same dragged on, despite blatantly illegal conduct by the granting the right to organize. This is an upside down opposition made them critical of the Guild's important role company. The classic example of the ineffectiveness of the view, which places emphasis and reliance on the liberal in building the Havana conference for Puerto Rican NLRB to enforce workers' rights is the J.P. Stevens case. politicians and liberal union bureaucrats to win reforms. independence, as well as joining coalitions opposed to the Whether we are defending strikers against injunctions or We must always take a critical view of the unions we work Chilean junta. Their slogan of "oppose revisionism" has criminal charges, or seeking affirmative remedies, as with and struggle against the union bureaucrats when they led them to oppose providing any support for Sadlowski in through the NLRB or the courts, the police, the legislature, take bad positions, taking up the struggle among the rank the recent UAW election. Finally, their view of the state in serving the bosses' interests, while at the same time and file of the union and of the Guild. apparatus leads them to minimize our ability as legal using our ingenuity to further workers' struggles, despite people to take advantage of the many contradictions in that When we take up our work with this perspective, we the limitations of the legal proceedings. state apparatus which often permit us to use democratic strengthen both the legal and the political support we offer rights for the protection of poliltical movements. Adoption Finally we must rely on the masses, not on liberal in a given struggle or case. As lawyers and legal workers, of their program would divide the Guild, substantially politicians like Hawkins and Humphrey or liberal trade we have a special relationship with our clients, and this narrow its base, isolate us from many of our allies, union leaders like Woodcock or Sadlowski to do our work. brings with it a special responsibility. Although we will be de-emphasize legal work and objectively lend support to In the Farah strike the Guild was involved in building a involved in campaigns for reforms which won't in and of much of America's imperialist foreign policy. mass boycott campaign which was instrumental in helping themselves overthrow the system of imperialism, we can win the strike. The Farah workers who traveled around the through our work deepen our own and our clients' It is for the convention to decide whether to move country all talked about how the union bureaucrats kept understanding of how successfully to wage the long-range forward on the road the Guild has thus far travelled, or to trying to limit the struggle. But the Chicana women struggle for fundamental social change. We have a special detour .into a narrow path which will leave the Guild themselves took the lead in that strike, mobilized workers responsibility, as well, to provide quality legal service to weakened and isolated. The convention will decide on both sides of the border and around the country to demonstrate that we are serious about building mass democratically which path to follow and the decisions it support their strike and thus were able to organize one of struggles and helping people win the fights they take on. * makes will give national leadership a clear position which ft the largest garment plants in the unorganized Southwest. can follow for the next 18 months. *>

August* 1977—GWLPNQTES?-13 Candidates 9 Robin Collins, John Quigley, Vice President Vice President Ever since the beginning of the Anti-Imperialist Caucus and the working class, against imperialism. For instance, The Guild must strengthen its work of providing legal there has been a lot of discussions within the Guild about I have friends here in the South who are practicing legal support to the people's movement for revolutionary social the aims, goals, and tactics of the Caucus. Some people aid law who have joined the Guild for just those reasons. change. To do this effectively, we must avoid forming an have charged that the Caucus is a bad thing and threatens My experience has been that these folks are really exclusive alliance with a small segment of that movement to destroy the mass character of the Guild, while others frustrated about not being able to do more than put an end (as would be the result of the Anti-Imperialist Caucus' see it as a much needed force. Its our belief that most to the suffering they see each day. The Guild hasn't done strategy for the Guild) and must formulate strategies to Guild members still haven't made up their minds one way much to speak to this part of our membership and we know bring (and retain) larger numbers of legal people into or the other and its to these people that I'd like to direct that some of these people are concerned that the Caucus progressive legal work. this statement. will treat them even worse. But the view of the Caucus There are four areas of Guild work on which I would The Caucus was formed upon fairly simple convictions. isn't that these fighters don't belong in the Guild, but concentrate as Vice-President. We believe that the Guild is a very important organization rather that the Guild hasn't developed strong anti-imper­ (1) International work. The Guild can do more, to aid and we want to strengthen its work. We believe that the ialist program which includes them. The aim of the Caucus national liberation struggles. We should take greater Guild has been and remains an organization which is to build program based on a good political analysis advantage of our credibility both in the U.S. and in the supports the struggles of Third World peoples for national which draws in the broadest numbers of progressive legal international community to speak out in support of liberation and opposes imperialism. And, we believe that people who are searching for ways to fight back against all national liberation. In this work, we should emphasize the Guild has done some very good work in the past in forms of oppression and exploitation. legal arguments since our credibility is strongest there. I providing legal and political support to the anti-imperialist One charge that we have also heard is that the Caucus have in mind (to take examples from current Guild movment. wants to exclude Guild members_who don't agree with us projects) legal arguments in support of Puerto Rican and But as each of us did work in the Guild and participated on the question of Soviet Social-Imperialism. We think that Native American sovereignty. We can also be more in various anti-imperialist struggles, we felt a sense of this is a very important question, but we recognize that effective in supporting Third World demands for economic frustration because, although we worked very hard, we saw some people have not yet studied it or are still undecided. justice (e.g., the new international economic order, the that'our work was not really advancing our movement Our own analysis is that the ultimate task for American current struggle at the U.N. over the law of the sea and along the path towards the final defeat of imperialism. anti-imperialists is to throw off the rule of our own seabed resources). Here in Houston, for instance, we started an immigration imperialist ruling class. But we firmly believe that this task (2) Legislative work. We should expand our legislative clmic to assist undocumented workers in obtaining visas. cannot be accomplished by relying on the other imperialist work to curve the growing repression likely to be upon us in Many Houston Guild members put in long hours on this superpower, the Soviet Union. We believe that a correct the coming period. Legislative work can also be used to project. But when we went to sum up past work and strategy for waging the struggle against imperialism cannot expose how monopoly capital interests influence govern­ experiences, we found that not much had been done to get come about without an understanding of the world ment policy and how legislative bodies fail to serve the at the bottom of the problems which undocumented situation which targets both imperialist superpowers. We people. These purposes can be carried out better by workers face. ask Guild members to study this question carefully, talk opposing repressive laws (e.g., S-l) than by proposing with us and others, and be willing to struggle for a correct Other folks throughout the country have related similar liberalizing laws, though in certain instances we should resolution of this issue. We are not advocating that the experiences to me and we think that Guild members support such laws, as for example, the Equal Rights principles of unity for the Caucus be used to determine everywhere can think of times when a struggle has come to Amendment, H.R. 2998 (civil rights for gay people), the membership in the Lawyers Guild. We think that over a an end, but the same exploitation and oppression Dellums Resolution (immediate independence for Puerto period of time broad numbers of Guild people will come to continues on. Many Guild people studied political theoty Rico). We should not go overboard into legislative work unite with these slogans and "use them to guide their more intensely and used this study to guide their legal but should select projects carefully to achieve maximum practice. Our purpose is not to exclude, but rather to build work. Our experience in the Caucus has been that doing political impact. We must keep clear the political focus of Guild programs which Guild members can unite around legal work without this political study and analysis leads us this work to avoid reformism. We should use media to which gets at the heart of the problems caused by into one dead end after another. We concluded that what publicize our positions on legislation. imperialism. we really needed to do was to formulate a program which (3) Media. We can use media more effectively to had a long range plan to it...a program based firmly on a What sort of program will that be? How do Guild people disseminate progressive views on legal topics. We should political analysis of the concrete,not only in this country, know that it will be a program which will include them? set up a mechanism to issue frequent press statements to but throughout the world. This plan would have to be one We think that the answers to these questions are best denounce reactionary government actions (e.g., the recent which was designed to strike carefully aimed blows at the found by looking to the three criteria the Caucus has Supreme Court abortion decisons). In addition to root causes of oppression and exploitation. formulated tor building ami-imperialist ouud program. communicating a progressive perspective, this work could In the course of this campaign to build good program For instance, around the Gary Tyler case, what is the best contribute to the growth of the Guild by making more legal and to strengthen the Guild, we believe that we've way to proceed? Is the caucus dead set against any people aware of our positions. accomplished alot of good work, mainly in the form of petitioning or writing letters to Congress? The three (4) Anti-sexism. Despite substantial change in recent broad educationals at various Guild meetings. But we've criteria, which can be used to guidé all our work, serve as years, much Guild practice remains sexist. Women in made some errors along the way as well. One error, for concrete guidelines to keep us on the correct path. many chapters feel that Guild men do not treat them as instance, has been the tendency to raise ideas in the Guild Number one.. .target the system of imperialism as the equals. Guild men often do not consider work on women's without doing a lot of education about these ideas source of oppression and exploitation. We should first issues as significant. Many Guild women have dropped out beforehand. Part of this error, too, is not pointing out the figure out what causes the problems in the very first place. to do legal work on women's issues in other organizations, relevance ot these ideas to the day to day work of Guild Gary Tyler isn't just an isolated case of racism and and many women who might otherwise have joined the members. repression attributable to a bad sheriff in Louisiana. Our Guild have not done so. Despite strong national This doesn't mean that raising the ideas was wrong, or analysis has been that the root cause of oppression and resolutions on gay rights, the importance of legal work on that the ideas themselves are not appropriate for the exploitation, whether it's Gary Tyler or Bennie Lenard, sexual-preference discrimination is not felt by many Guild Guild, but rather that we made the error of not doing alot school segregation, forced sterilization, unemployment, members. As a result, many gay legal people have limited of intense work in explaining their relevance to ongoing S-l, or Wounded Knee, is the world-wide system of their Guild participation or dropped out. A few in the Guild Guild work. For instance, around the question of the Soviet imperialism. We believe that this analysis has to be part (chiefly members associated with the Anti-Imperialist Union Caucus members, through their own study and and parcel of our work in the Lawyers Guild. Caucus) view gayness as a manifestation of bourgeois experience, have concluded that the Soviet Union is a big Number Two.. .expose the role of the state. We think decadence. A larger number, while supporting in principle imperialist superpower. But when it came to linking this that each of us has to analyze the role of the organized the democratic rights of gay people, do not see gay rights up to the work of the Guild and showing its concrete state apparatus. At every twist and turn of a case we projects as an important area of work and have not relevance, we didn't do a very good job. The whole Caucus should recognize and point out that the state is really the analyzed the oppression of gay people as a phenomenon has recognized this error and people all over the country tool by which the imperialists maintain their control over perpetuated by the ruling class to divide the working class. are working very hard to correct it. This is a very good sign women, oppressed nationalities, and the whole working We must encourage Guild members to give stronger . as it shows our capacity to learn from our errors, admit class. In Tyler's case we can see all too clearly where the support to the National Committee on Women's Oppres­ them, and change them. police and courts stand. They consistently uphold the sion and the National Gay Rights Task Force. Some members of the Guild are concerned that the interests of the imperialist class. Our experience has been By discussing the above four topics, I do not mean to caucus will narrow the political base of the Guild. In other that where we ignore this lesson our work and the struggle suggest that these are the four most important areas of words, to build a Guild where some present Guild suffers. Guild work. They are the areas to which I would direct members would be excluded. Our view is that the majority most of my energy as Vice-President. They have been —continued on page 15 determined in consultation with Judy Mead, candidate for Treasurer, and Hank DiSuvero for President. •

14—GUILD NOTES—August, 1977 Statements II Bill Hazelton, Judy Mead, Treasurer Treasurer mass organizations in the U.S., including the Indian During the 1960's, the movement developed free clinics In our discussions with Guild members around across Peoples Association of North America (IPANA), the and free stores. People taught each other how to find free the country, many questions have been raised about the Iranian Students Association (ISA) and the Ethiopian food and free furniture. We lived on love and worked for goals, program and basis of unity of the Anti-Imperialist Students Union of North America (ESUNA), have rallied to subsistence wages. But people burned out from giving Caucus. In this article I will try to address some of these oppose superpower meddling throughout the world and everything away, including their work, without receiving questions in order to clarify the position of the Caucus. should receive firm support from the National Lawyers even so much as a "thank you;" and the free clinics and Wé have been asked, "Aren't the questions addressed Guild. A recent demonstration in West Virginia, which stores disappeared. Now we're more serious; we're more by the Anti-Imperialist Caucus and embodied in its included the Guild, united around slogans of "Down with sophisticated about what we need to do to change our slogans "Communist" or "Party" questions and therefore the Two Superpowers" and "Independence for Puerto society; and we expect to be paid a living wage for our not appropriate to a mass organization like the Guild?" Rico". This militant rally brought a letter expressing work. This question assumes that there are certain issues gratitude and solidarity from Puerto Rican Nationalist Yet we expect the National Office to pay bills with love which are exclusively the domain of those people within Lolita Lebron. • and work for subsistence wages. So we have big debts, no the Guild who are. Communists or Marxist-Leninists. In idea of how we raise the money we get, and we burn out fact, the work of Communists is not sterile or isolated but The Guild, as an anti-imperialist organization, should N.O. after N.O. as they spend their time trying to keep the is intimately connected to the daily struggles of the unite with the anti-imperialist forces worldwide in this phones on instead of getting work done. struggle. working class and oppressed nationalities in their effort to If we're going to demonstrate that we take ourselves throw off the chains of imperialism. Communists have Another frequently raised question is whether the seriously—that we will raise the money necessary to do the historically led the great mass movements in this country members of the Caucus would require agreement with the work we decide is imortant, then we need to think clearly which have taken up the demands of the broad masses of four slogans as a condition for membership in the Guild. about fundraising. Raising money from the masses may people, including the fight for the eight hour day and for We hope to eventually win the Guild to the four slogans as make us feel more like workers and less like petty unemployment insurance. There should be no artificial a basis of unity for the organization. These principles give bourgeoisie, but it's an unrealistic way to approach distinction drawn between questions for Communists and direction to building genuine anti-imperialist program in fundraising for the Guild. The masses have very little questions for the people in their struggle against the the Guild. However, we recognize that the Guild is money, and what little they have should be spent on their imperialist system. composed of many people who are at different levels of struggles—not supporting the National Lawyers Guild. commitment, development and unity, and therefore we We do professional legal work and we need to stand on our Suggesting that the principles-are Communist questions would not require that every member subscribe to each of also assumes that the issues addressed by the Caucus are own feet and support ourselves. Organizationally, this the four slogans as a condition of membership in the means that in addition to assessments, we must put abstract and unrelated to the work of the Guild. There is organization. also the inference that some of these slogans are beyond together the skills seminars, organize the roadshows and the understanding of Guild members and the broad A related question is whether we advocate the physical write the legal manuals. expulsion of members of the Communist Party USA from masses of people and are not slogans which are taken up Until we are self-supporting, we need to raise big the Guild. Our goal is to build program which genuinely by the people of the United States and the world. chunks of money to pull us out of our financial hole. And supports the working class, oppressed nationalities and The principles of the Caucus reflect an anti-imperialist that will require selling our work and our projects to rich women against the system of imperialism, especially the level of unity for the Guild and give concrete guidance to civil libertarians. I don't believe that this requires a glib two superpowers. Our objective is not to kick out our work in the fight against the imperialist system. These tongue. I believe it requires a reputation for sustained, individual members of the CPUSA but rather td expose principles have gained firm support in the anti-imperialist careful work (the donor must trust me in order to trust and oppose the political line and program of the CPUSA in movement and reflect the struggle taken up by anti- what I say), a strong belief in the work of the National the Lawyers Guild. imperialist fighters around the world. The day to day Lawyers Guild, and the commitment to say that clearly as struggles of the working class, oppressed nationalities and The Caucus has often been asked its position on many often as I must. issues, ranging from Angola to the Equal Rights women against the- worldwide system of imperialism I have been a member of the National Lawyers Guild Amendment, to Afro-American National Question. The especially the two superpowers, should receive whole­ since January 1974 (though my support for the Guild goes caucus has unity on the principles and analysis set out in hearted support from the Guild as an organization back to 1970 before legal workers were allowed "Build a Fighting Guild," the pamphlet of the caucus. Our committed to fight against oppression and exploitation. membership). I was the staff-person in the DC chapter slogans set out the general guidelines for our work and our office for nearly two years. I've been a member of the DC As an example, "Opppose the Two Superpowers" is a primary task at the present time is to develop and Executive Board since September 1974, and a NEB demand that is linked directly to the lives of the people in implement a program which will carry oat these slogans delegate to Atlanta in Feb. 1974. to San Francisco in Feb. the United States and throughout the world. The Soviet Obviously, there are many questions which the Caucus has 1975, to Columbus in Aug. 1975, and to Norman in Feb. Union and the United States are fiercely contending for not even taken up, much less reached unity on. To the worldwide domination. This superpower contention in­ 1977.1 have attended all national meetings and regionals extent that questions arise in the course of our Guild work, since I joined the Guild in 1974. I organized and became a creases the danger of world war which will have a direct we will address them and develop a position that serves as subsequent member of the DC Attica Brothers Support effect on the conditions in the United States. This war will a blueprint for our work in that area. For example, the Committee and the Women's Caucus. I have also worked bring a reinstatement of the draft, draw millions, Caucus has recently agreed to study the Afro-American on the DC newsletter. Colonial Notes; the Military and especially from the oppressed nationalities, into the armed National Question because we recognize that the Draft Law Panel; the DC Guild Investigative Group; and forces to fight an imperialist war, and will bring increased formulation of a correct position on this question is various administrative committees. I was on the Steering repression here at home to insure that an economy geared essential to our wholehearted support for the struggle of Committee of the National Conference on Government for war is able to run smoothly. the oppressed nationalities against imperialism. The struggle against the two superpowers is gaining Spying in Chicago last January, and currently work with broad support in this country and around the world. Many We would welcome the opportunity as we travel around the Grand Jury Project. I've worked on all fundraising the country to talk to people about all of the issues which aspects of four movie benefits, a San Francisco Mime face the organization so we can build a fighting Guild! • Troupe benefit, a theatre benefit, an Attica benefit with Morton Sobell, and organized all aspects of the Jury Selection Skills Seminar. I have been a member of the National Finance Committee since February 1975, and in Norman, Oklahoma, last February, the NFC unanimously endorsed my candidacy. Collins The task of the treasurer is to raise the national budget, and I'm committed to spending the next 18 months raising —continued from page 14 money, organizing others to raise money, and moving us Number Three.. .rely on the people. We think that it is toward becoming self-sustaining. I would appreciate your absolutely essential in doing our legal work that we place support at the Convention in Seattle. e our reliance on the people and not the liberal reformers like Humphrey, Kennedy, or Sadlowski. This means linking our legal struggles to the broad mass movement and taking direction from the working class movement. Our work shouldn't be pleas for mercy, but demands for justice voiced by thousands and thousands of people. Again, in Gary Tyler's case thousands of people across the Summer Projects country and throughout the world were mobilized to fight back and demanded Gary's freedom. The Summer Projects Committee needs a new So, come to the Seattle Convention ready to offer home! This energetic 5-year-old wants to be adopted Now none of this means that we never send a letter to your city. Several 1977 Committee members will be at Congress or mount a petition drive. In Tyler's case, for by any city with eight to ten people willing to put in the Convention starting on Thursday (8/17) to tell you instance, over 92,000 signatures were gathered on a 10-15 hours a week nurturing it through the winter more about what's involved, problems we encoun­ petition to present to the governor of Louisiana demanding months. tered and ways to improve fundraising. Also, we'll Gary's release. But this tactic was done in conjunction with Duties include: project selection (a great way to get have at least one Summer Projects caucus during the a whole people's campaign involving many different in touch with Guild work around the country), weekend which representatives from all interested tactics. The movement in Gary's case placed its main fundraising (lots of it!), project development, and cities should attend. reliance on the people, but used every available tactic to coordinating the selection of applicants. So think about it. It's a great way to get to know the fight for his freedom. Qualifications: Guild better and it's very important work. We believe that the work done around Gary Tyler's case —It's best if the Committee isn't made up of law is a fine model for Guild people to examine and the Caucus The Summer Projects Committee, no matter where is proud of its role in Tyler's case. We think that the three students only. A couple of lawyers, and at least one person active in the national Guild, should be on the it's located, will be accepting proposals for 1978 criteria for guiding our work in the Guild is a positive Projects soon after the Convention. Deadline for contribution and will materially advance our struggle. Far Committee. submitting applications is October 15th. So start from narrowing the base of the Guild, we think that these —Be sure some people have good writing skills. three criteria combined with the slogans and commentary There's lots of proposal-writing involved. thinking up ideas, or talk to groups that might be in Build A Fighting Guild! will guide the growth of —It would be great if at least one person had fund- interested in applying. Also, the 1977 Summer program which the Guild will want to support. It will be a raising experience. There's a lot to learn in a short Coordinator in Boston will be preparing a set of program which, in fact, we believe will broaden our base time. criteria, as well as a list of questions that projects and draw more and more progressive legal people into our should answer in their applications. If you want a copy organization. Our aim is not to have a smaller Guild, but a —Try to find people who have been on Summer Projects before. First-hand experience really helps, of these, write in mid-August to Dan French, Summer very big and strong Guild. One which fights consistently Projects Coordinator, 595 Massachusetts Avenue, for the final downfall of the system of imperialism. % both for selecting projects and helping to develop them. __^___ Cambridge, MA 02139.

August, 1977—GUILD NOTES—15 Guild Publications GUILD NEWSLETTERS

IMMIGRATION NEWSLETTER $7.50/yr. from National Immigration Project, 712 South Grand View St., Los Angeles, CA 90057.

QUASH, publication of Guild Grand Jury Project. $47yr., Grand Jury Project, 853 Broadway, Room 1116, New York, NY 10003. Michigan Legal Services is seeking an experienced Clark County Legal Services Program, Inc. attorney to work in the area of public health programs, (CCLSP) is recruiting for a supervising attorney, staff LABOR NEWSLETTER $5/yr. individuals from including AFDC, SSI, and food stamps. National Labor Committee, 558 Capp St., San attorney and VISTA attorney. Dedicated individuals The program is a statewide support center which repre­ are encouraged to consider these positions. Francisco, CA 94110. sents clients in major litigation and before legislative and administrative bodies. Currently, there is a professional Clark County is a large county making up the WOMEN'S NEWSLETTER $5/yr. from NCWO/ staff of twelve working in the areas of public assistance, southern tip of the State of Nevada. The program's NLG, 595 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139. food and nutrition, housing, health, juvenile rights and offices are located in Las Vegas, the only metropolitan other poverty-related fields. area in the largely rural county. Metropolitan Las LAW STUDENT CLEARINGHOUSE NEWSLETTER Applicants for the position should have at least two Vegas has a population of 350,000, including by donation, c/o NLG, 681 Vernon St., Oakland, CA years of legal services experience or its equivalent. substantial Black and Latino communities. The 94601. Experience in federal litigation and in public benefit social/political/economic environment is one of programs is desirable. particularly blatant disparity. The conditions are Salary will be commensurate with experience and MILITARY LAW TASKFORCE NEWSLETTER soon ideal for an active legal services program. qualifications. Resumes should be sent by September 1 to Women and minorities are particularly encouraged to be available c/o Frank Munger, Antioch School of the attention of Robert Reed. Please indicate where you Law, Washington, D.C. 20010. learned about the position. to apply. Special preference will be given to Michigan Legal Services applicants who are bilingual in Spanish and English. PUERTO RICO PROJECT NEWSLETTER by- 900 Michigan Bldg. Salaries will be adjusted for relevant \experience. donation to Puerto Rico Project, 853 Broadway, New 220 Bagley Avenue Each applicant should submit a letter of application York, NY 10003. Detroit, Mich. 48226 discussing her/his approach to the effective delivery (313)964-4130 of legal services to those least able to afford them. OTHER GUILD PUBLICATIONS • DEADLINE: August 15, 1977. The Tenants Representative Council, a union of the SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO: Earle H. Warner, THE PUERTO RICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN 15.000 persons living in public housing in New Executive Director, Clark County Legal Services RIGHTS, review by the Guild's Puerto Rico Project. Haven, Connecticut, is seeking an attorney to assist Program, 301 South Highland Drive, #10 Las Vegas, $4.00/year. Puerto Rico Project, NLG, 853 Broad­ them in strengthening their city-wide tenant Nevada 89106. way, New York, NY 10003. organization and in dealing with the New Haven Housing Authority and with HUD. GUILD PRACTITIONER $6 and $5/year from Guild The attorney will receive a VISTA salary ($141.70 Practitioner, Box 673, Berkeley, CA 94701. every two weeks, plus a $50 monthly stipend and medical insurance coverage). Work will begin shortly LAW FOR THE PEOPLE, law student organizing after the Connecticut bar. handbook. 25c- each, 15é each over 10 copies. NLG, The attorney will be working with 3 full-time The Louisiana ACLU affiliate has an opening for a 853 Broadway, New York, NY 10003. organizers, several law students, and a number of staff counsel. tenants. Staff should be increased when a decision is Starting date: as soon as possible after July 5; A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO CROSS EXAMINA­ made later this month on a TRC CET A application. Salary: $10,000; TION by Oliver Rosengart. $1.00. NYC Chapter of A one-year commitment to the program is Please send: resume, letters of recommendat NLG, 853 Broadway, NYC 10003. expected. and writing sample (reflecting ability to do both legal 11 writing «iini research) THE JURY SYSTEM: NEW METHODS FOR Tenants Representative Council, 250 Ashmun Street To: ACLU of Louisiana, 535 Gravier, Suite 507, REDUCING PREJUDICE $7.50 individuals. National #4, Box 158, New Haven, CT 06511. For further New Orleans, LA 06130. —~ Jury Project, 853 Broadway, New York, NY 10003. information, write us at the above address, or call us Applicants desiring further information should call at 203-624-3183. Applications should be submitted as Marlene Roeder, the affiliate Director, at (504) PRACTICE MANUALS soon as possible. 522-0617.

REPRESENTATION OF WITNESSES BEFORE FEDERAL GRAND JURIES by the National exists in the organization need not, intrinsically, be Lawyers Guild. The definitive practice manual on in the context of program, what meaning does it grand jury practice. $47.50 (Inquire about member Officer's Column have? Our effectiveness is not based on what we say, discount). Available only from Clark Boardman Co., but what we do, and—ultimately—on our program. Ltd., 435 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014. One development that I regard as being very positive is that a number of people in various strata IMMIGRATION DEFENSE MANUAL, $35 mem­ —continued from page 2 of leadership have seen their responsibility as bers; $45 non-members; $55 institutions. Available The third facet of the development of the Guild in leaders as being political and have produced a only from National Immigration Project, 712 South the past year and a half is one which has been the number of articles and papers expressing their views Grandview Street, Los Angeles, CA 90057. most controversial—the political struggle carried on on political questions in the organization. In seeking in the organization. In my mind, the biggest short­ to give political leadership and to attempt to RAISING AND LITIGATING ELECTRONIC SUR­ coming of our development in this area is that very formulate a more comprehensive analysis of these VEILLANCE CLAIMS AND CASES, written and broad sectors of our membership have either not felt questions, there have been perhaps more of such edited by the National Lawyers Guild Special the need or have been discouraged from partici­ articles and papers produced in the last year and a Projects Staff. Fully annotated, biennial supple­ pating in and influencing the political struggles half than in any other period in my memory. An mentation. $15.95 only from Lake Law Books, 142 taking place within the organization. The vast important effort worth mentioning was a paper McAllister Street, San Francisco, CA 94102. majority of Guild members—people who will not produced by a group of people for a recent Mid East necessarily be seen at national meetings but who are regional. Recent officers columns have consciously the real bread and butter of the organization—do not addressed broader political questions facing the feel touched by these debates and thus care little organization and several very thoughtful, serious about their resolution. The reason to me seems articles have appeared in a number of chapter obvious—because the ideas being debated have not papers. Although we have much to learn, I have been translated into their organizational and been extremely pleased to see that a potentially programmatic implications. reactionary response to political struggle has not I believe that in certain important aspects, the occurred, but on the contrary what has emerged has level of political struggle has improved. Although been an attempt to develop a serious political the time period I am referring to is very short in the response to many of the questions facing the context of the entire history of the organization, the organization. debates that we are now witnessing were only a Despite the fact that this is my last officer's EDITORS: Franklin Siegel and Joe Lipofsky. short time ago held almost entirely in the context of column, I won't indulge myself at this time in questions of democracy and the right of people to put sentimental mush. However, I would like to share EDITORIAL BOARD: George Conk, Stevye forward diverging views. Although nearly every one of the stronger impressions that I leave with. In Knowles, Andi Levm'e, Deborah Rand, Jeffrey national meeting still has some accusations of the various cities I have visited, in the projects I have Segal, Deborah Stead, Rhoda Stockton. "stifling debate", often in the most ingenious been involved in and of the people I have met, the circumstances, debates are increasingly being had dedication and commitment of Guild members is WITH HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS: Chuck over concrete ideas. But until the next step is something that truly stands out. In nearly every Turchi n, Mary Bennett, Hope Singer. made—political debate within the context of important aspect of peoples movements in every part m programmatic implications—it will make almost no of the country, Guild members play an active role. DEADLINE FOR OCTOBER ISSUE: difference to the development of the organization Given the strength and dedication of our members SEPTEMBER 17, 1977 and will involve only the smallest numbers of highly and of the people whose causes we support, it is hard involved Guild members. If the debate that currently to be pessimistic about our future. •

16—GUILD NOTES—August, 1977