JUNE 1985 #9 CIDSA UPDATE Coalition for Illinois' Divestment from South Africa 343 S. Dearborn, Suite 919, Chicago, IL 60604 312-922-3915

Divestment Put On Hold While Illinois Le~lature Considers No Future South Afiican Investments In the Illinois House, the Braun-Bowman divestment failed to pass out of the Insurance, Pensions and bills, House Bills 317 and 330, have been placed on hold Licensed Activities Committee and will not come before in interim study status in the Economic Development the Senate for a vote this year. However, Senator Committee. This strategy was taken in spite of successful Earlean Collins successfully amended Senate Bill 57 to legislative manuevering by House Speaker Michael prohibit future investments in South Africa. The Madigan to switch the bills to the Economic Develop­ amended bill passed the Senate and will now be ment Committee from the Personnel and Pensions considered by the House, presumably assigned to the Committee. There was not sufficient support for full Personnel and Pensions Committee. House passage. Interim study status will allow the bills to For information on how to contact your senator and be held over for consideration in the next legislative representative regarding these bills turn to page 2. session, an appropriations session, where new non­ appropriations legislation must be approved by the House Rules Committee. CIDSA's State Divestment Task Force will use this interim study period to rally state-wide support for these bills. Burke Stalls Representative Carol Moseley Braun announced on the floor of the house that the Black Caucus had decided Chicago Divestment not to vote in favor of any piece of legislation regarding pensions unless it contained "divestment language". She The divestment ordinance introduced into the Chicago then attempted to amend each pension-related bill as it City Council by Alderman Danny Davis and others has came up for a vote. She was successful in amending 2 been stuck in the Finance Committee since March. bills, House Bills 94 and 717, to prohibit future invest­ CIDSA's City Task Force made repeated requests for ments in corporations doing business in South Africa. public hearings on the ordinance but Alderman Edward These amended bills were passed by the House and are Burke, the Chairman of the Finance Committee, has now being considered by the Senate. We expect the bills refused to schedule them. It is imperative that all will be sent to the Senate Insurance, Pensions and Chicago CIDSA members contact their Alderman as Licensed Activities Committee. well as Alderman Burke to request well publicized public Senate Divestment Bills 45 and 46, which were hearings and to request their support for the divestment introduced by Senators Emil Jones and Charles Chew· ordinance. Next CIDSA Meetings: Sun., July 14, BARBEQUE-4:00 pm at 2021 W. Hutchinson, Chicago Cash Bar, Bring something to grill and a dish to share. Come celebrate CIDSA's 2 years ofanti-apartheid work! Sun., August 4 UE Hall 37 S. Ashland, Chicago 6 p.m. What You Can Do Page2 Visits, phone calls, letters and telegrams to all state Senators and Representatives are vital to keeping these amendments intact. The bills must pass out of their assigned committees and through respective legislatures by midnight June 30th. In addition to contacting your own Senator and Representatives letters should be sent to:

Supporting Senate Bill 57 as Amended to Supporting House Bills 94 and 717 as Amended to House Personnel and Pensions Committee Senate Insurance, Pensions & Licensed Activities Sam Wolf, Chairman Committee Donald Saltsman Douglas Huff Emil Jones, Chairman Nelson Rice Roger McAuliffe Margaret Smith Arthur Berman David Harris Jack Kubik Charles Chew John D'Arco Jr. Illinois House Timothy Degnan Frank Savickas Springfield, IL 62706 James Rupp John Friedland Galvin W. Schuneman Judy Barr Topinka Illinois Senate Springfield, IL 62706 Why Divest?

U.S. investments strengthen the apartheid economy, thereby increasing the ability of the white government to preserve its power. The past twenty-five years disprove the claim that investments can be an agent for change because the apartheid government's repressive power has only increased during this time. Yet even if every U.S. firm in South Africa practiced commendable labor policies, apartheid would still not be threatened. The companies must comply with South African law and coexist with disenfranchisement, population control, and forced removals, as well as detentions and bannings. The black community, from 1959 Nobel Peace Laureate Albert Luthuli to 1984 Nobel Peace Laureate Bishop Who is CIDSA? Desmond Tutu, has continually said "we don't want our The Coalition for Illinois' Divestment from South chains polished, we want them removed." The divestment Africa was founded in June 1983 to push for the passage of publicly controlled Illinois funds from South Africa of a divestment bill in the Illinois State Legislature. Over will be a significant contribution to the world-wide anti­ 60 organizations and 250 concerned individuals from apartheid movement and will help create circumstances across the state now comprise CIDSA 's growing for the South African people to forge fundamental membership. change in their country.

Please return to: CIDSA, Coalition for illinois Divestment from South Africa MEMBERSHIPS Suite 919, 343 S. Dearborn, Chicago, ill. 60604 Enclosed: Organizational Member Donation $15 Individual Member Donation $10 Amandla Club Donation $100 Additional Contribution

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PHONE (__ h_o_m_e-'-) ------1 (office) Linking the South African and PageS Domestic Struggles: A discussion of Professor Manning Marable's article for The New Statesman

On May 14, 1985, Winston Mercurius, a city planner and member of CIDSA passed away. In homage to his commitment and contribution to the struggle against apartheid as well as injustice world wide, we are sharing an article he recently wrote.

By Winston Mercurius six of the nation's poorest community labor practices, the wider society's Anti apartheid activists and or­ areas, the slump in steel manufac­ racism is still reproduced. In 1983 the ganizers have continually wrestled turing has compounded the city's Sullivan firms had filled 94 percent with the question of how to get economic crisis. Closure of such of all new managerial posts with blacks, in particular, and the Amer­ Chicago-based steel plants as U.S. whites. These firms employ a mere ican people in general into the Steel, Republic, and Wisconsin have 66,000 members of a labor force struggle for a liberated South Africa. eliminated the jobs of close to 15,000 numbering 6 million. In an article for the New Statesman workers. (The figure climbs consider­ In a major section of his article (4 I 5 I 85), political theorist Manning ably if job losses in steel related Marable maintains that the relative Marable provides cogent and instruc­ enterprises are accounted for.) inactivity of the black American tive insights into this issue. The writer Marable highlights this situation masses in responding to the oppres­ described and explained the follow­ in terms of its South African impli­ sion of their South African brothers ing: the effects of US corporate cations: "Between 1974 and 1982 can only be understood in an histor­ investment in South Africa on the domestic steel production declined ical context. The writer posits that domestic economy, the factors in­ by 50 percent. And since 1975, US apparent black non-identification fluencing the Afro-American re­ imports of apartheid's steel have with Africa, in general, is largely a sponse to the struggle in South Africa, increased by 5,000 percent. twentieth century phenomenon. and the constraints inherent in the South African steel is largely Extreme racial oppression in America Free South Africa movement. produced by a state-owned firm, the at the turn of the century caused Prof. Marable first detailed the Iron and Steel Corporation (ISCO R). blacks to downplay their "roots" heavy US investment in strategic All of the major US companies which while struggling for integration and sectors of the South African econ­ have experienced difficulties pro­ democratic civil rights: omy, and the concommitant flow of ducing steel at home- ARMCO, "Although many Black Americans investment dollars, jobs, and capital Allegheny Ludlum, US Steel, Phelps in earlier generations retained a away from the US. "US investment Dodge, and others- have invested strong sense of cultural and social inside South Africa, $15 billion in millions into apartheid's industries." identity with Africa, during most of 1984, totals 20 per cent of all direct The steel industry example raises, the twentieth century such expres­ investment in South Africa. US of course, the larger issue of the sions of solidarity were muted. The corporations control 70 per cent of phenomenon of deindustrialization principal political contradiction con­ the South African computer market, and the morality of "investment fronting Afro-Americans was pro­ and an IBM computer helps run the decisions" which impoverish US duced by the rise of racial segregation. stock exchange in Johannesburg. As manufacturing centers while exacer­ Blacks were denied the right to vote, of 1983, Mobil Oil had $426 million bating oppression overseas in the were refused employment or service invested in South Africa, and a name of profit. in public establishments, and were workforce of 3,577; General Motors, US workers are threatened in a forcibly removed from white neigh­ $243 million and 5,038 employees; very real sense by cheap overseas borhoods. Over five thousand Black Union Carbide, $54.5 million and labor. Marable maintains that the Americans were lynched between 2,465 employees. American banks, domination of black South African 1872 and 1927, and many publicly led by Chase Manhattan, Bankers labor is the chief economic charac­ burned. The new racial codes segre­ Trust, Chemical and Manufacturers teristic of apartheid. Apartheid's gated all sports facilities, restaurants, Hanover, had outstanding loans in ability to depress the wage rate buses and trains. Birmingham, Ala­ South Africa totalling nearly $4 through "rigid racial stratification", bama even outlawed Blacks and billion in 1984." affects the bargaining power of Whites from playing checkers or Chicago residents would find Mar­ workers in industrialized countries. dominoes together." able's discussion of steel industry The writer notes that even in US During this period of "estrange­ behavior particularly disturbing. firms abiding by the Sullivan Prin­ ment", certain individual leaders con­ Apart from the fact that Chicago has ciples of equal opportunity and fair tinued to highlight the links between -Continued on reverse side- Linking the South African and Page4 Domestic Struggles: A discussion of Professor Manning Marable's article for The New StatesllJIUJ -Continued from other side­ Afro-Americans and Africans. Randall Robinson, Mary Berry, and and longer term problems that anti­ Among these are DuBois, Robeson, black Congressman Walter Fauntroy, apartheid activists will have to resolve Garvey et al. The decolonization provided a second major political to achieve the successful linkage of struggles spearheaded by Nkrumah 's link for black Americans in par­ issues, and the mobilization of effect­ Ghana (1959), the black nationalist ticular, as well as the wider public. ive domestic, especially Afro-Amer­ and black power movements in the Actions on the legislative level, spear­ ican, support? US all sparked a resurgence of headed by black elected officials in The following are a few of Mar­ interest in Africa during the sixties. many instances, to divest public able's closing observations: The anti­ Marable asserts that: funds from entities with ties to South apartheid united front is particularly "Ironically,it was only with the Africa, are seen by Marable as the fragile. The leadership exhibits a achievement of desegregation and third essential point of political tendency to view events in South the granting of democratic political linkage. These landmark events, Africa through the prism of the civil rights in the 1960's that black Amer­ precipitated by black leadership, have rights and southern experience. There icans could fully revive their political won support of a cross-section of are insufficient efforts to encourage and cultural relations with Africa". groups: trade unionists, religious political education among the masses Despite systematic efforts in this leaders, Jewish organizations, civil of protestors on the political economy country to suppress information on rights activists, entertainers, student of apartheid. the South African situation, Marable groups, etc. The media's response emphasizes the vital role of civil has been to confuse the issue, warns Editors Note: rights leader Jesse Jackson in polit­ Marable, by parading "any black These, however, are but obstacles to icizing the issue and alerting the figure it can find . . . who advances overcome as we keep moving for­ American public to apartheid's the thesis that US investment under ward. As our struggle continues, the existence, and US complicity in that liberal guidelines, may actually pro­ leadership, discipline and insightful system. The inception of the Free mote a peaceful, democratic transi­ critique of our brother Winston South Africa Movement (FSAM) tion inside South Africa." Mercurius will be sorely missed. after the November 1984 arrests of What are some of the immediate CIDSA Speakers Tour Successful Available State-Wide During the past year, CIDSA has grown in its capacity Both state-wide organizers and tour participants have to provide educationals on South Africa and divestment. deemed CIDSA's recent state-wide tour a great success. There are at least 20 CIDSA members doing programs During the week of Aprill4-19, speakers addressed over throughout the greater Chicago area and CIDSA 50 groups throughout Illinois including churches, com­ members in a number of cities including Champaign­ munity, student and union organizations. Additionally, Urbana, Peoria and Carbondale, are doing public tour participants took part in a number of media events speaking as well. We will continue this summer to do as including radio talk shows, news interviews and cable tv many educationals as possible. A schedule of available programs across the state. speakers has been drawn up; let us know of any groups Tour participants included Jeannette Ndlovu and that might want a presentation. Shuping Coapage of the African National Congress, As interest among High School and University students Tandi Gscabashi of AFSC-Atlanta, Deborah Archie of has grown due to the public focus on South Africa, the the Ohio Coalition Against Apartheid, Jerry Herman of Education Committee is providing educational assistance AFSC-Philadelphia, David Mesenbring of Lutheran to their organizing efforts. We are currently analyzing World Ministries, Jackie Wilson of the Washington materials distributed to local schools by the South Office on Africa, Essau Mampane, a South African African Department of Information. exile, Mikel Johnson of AFSC-Iowa as well as CIDSA's The Education Task Force is trying to involve more own Lucille Teichert, Steve Apotheker, Basil Clunie, CIDSA members in speaking. Towards this end, we are Continued on page 6 compiling a manual for new speakers with important facts and information on South Africa, divestment and and to add new life to the veterans' approaches. If you CIDSA, including sample talks. We are having new are interested in becoming a member of the Education speakers go along with veterans so as to train the former Task Force, contact Harriet Parker at 684-3999. Anti-Apartheid Victories! PageS On May 2,1985, the World Medical Association and On May 17th, eight Free South Africa Movement the Medical Association of South Africa announced protesters were acquitted of trespassing at the Chicago their decision to cancel the World Medical Association South African Consulate during demonstrations in Conference scheduled for October 1985 in Capetown, . January and February. The defense convinced the jury South Africa. The Conference was cancelled due to that the evils of apartheid were so great that the public pressure. Earlier this year, CIDSA members demonstrators had no choice but to trespass in an joined with American Medical Students As~ociation attempt to do something to end it. This is a great victory members to demonstrate against the conference at the for the Free South Africa Movement, CIDSA, and all American Medical Association national headquarters in who work for an end to South Africa's brutal system of Chicago. apartheid. Illinois University Divestment Campaigns Escalate

Northwestern black South Africans. A number of students staged a In one of the most dramatic campaigns in the state, sit-in at University Hall to protest this position. Although Northwestern's anti-apartheid activists staged a 24-hour attempts were made to intimidate the students, they were vigil from May 9-22 to protest Northwestern's continued not arrested. investments in corporations doing business in South Students from both U of I campuses will be coor­ Africa. During that period, hundreds of students rallied dinating actions for the June 20th Board of Trustees in support of the vigil and a total of 122 student Meeting in Chicago. Letters supporting U of I divestment protestors were arrested for failing to leave the main should be sent to Mr. Earl Porter, Secretary; U of I administration building, Crown Center, which has been Board of Trustees; 354 Administration Building; 506 S. named Mandela Center by the students. Wright; Urbana, IL 61801. Please ask Mr. Porter to The students are dissatisfied with the administration's make your letter available to all board members. formation of a committee to study divestment, par­ ticularly with the fact that 6 of 7 committee members sit on boards of Corporations doing business in South Africa. The students have been denied a position on the committee and are now negotiating for "observer status". In a related action, 30 Northwestern students withdrew their accounts from City Corp Bank in Chicago and passed out fliers to other Bank customers explaining their action.

University of Illinois-Champaign/Urbana A number of pro-divestment demonstrations and rallies have taken place at U of I, Champaign-Urbana. Following a 2-1 student resolution vote supporting rally in divestment of University Funds, over 1000 students Students support of U of C divestment. joined a candlelight vigil on May 8th. Two hundred of these students broke off to picket the home of U of I University of Chicago President Ikenberry who came out to speak to the group. For years, the Organization of Black Students has The President has agreed to participate in an open forum kept the issue of apartheid before the eyes of the student discussion with a representative of the African National body of the University of Chicago, sponsoring speakers, Congress a few days before the Board of Trustees makes films and conferences on South Africa. This year, U ofC its divestment decision June 20th in Chicago. students have also held a number of meetings and rallies to discuss the current situation in South Africa and University of Illinois-Chicago methods of responding to that situation. Over 5000 U of I Chicago students have signed On Friday, May 31, U of C student groups joined their petitions in favor of U of I divestment this spring. On efforts to push for the divestment of University funds May 23rd, 500 students attended a pro-divestment rally from South Africa. Following a unity statement by U of where Chancellor Langenberg pointed out that although C's black student organizations, the crowd of over 1000 the U of I Administration abhors apartheid, they are still students was addressed by the Reverend Jesse Jackson studying the matter of divestment and they are par­ and other anti-apartheid activists who endorsed and ticularly concerned about the effects of divestment on encouraged their divestment efforts. Page6 Protest at State ofDJjnois Anti-Apartheid Building Dedication CIDSA's Steel Task Force and the Free South Africa Calendar Movement jointly sponsored two successful demonstra­ tions during the May 4th and May 6th dedication Every Thursday- celebrations for the new State of Illinois Building in Free South Africa Movement Demonstration Chicago. The demonstrations were held in response to South African Consulate Governor Thompson's failure to grant a request for a 444 N. Michigan, Chicago meeting with us to discuss the Governor's lack of supp_ort 12 Noon for state divestment legislation, his recent commendatiOn of South African Airways for being a good corporate June 16-Soweto Commemoration Video: citizen of Illinois, and the use of South African Steel in "Six Days in Soweto" the new State of Illinois Building. Invited Guest: Ambassador Garba, The Governor has not responded to any of our Chair of the U.N. Special Committee Against Apartheid concerns directly. He was quoted in the Chicago Tribune Crosscurrents, 3206 N. Wilton, Chicago. as stating that there were only two beams of South For specific time and more information African Steel used in the construction of the building. contact Africa Network This statement is ludicrous and flies in the face of logic. 312-328-9305 Additionally, our sources report from personal observa­ tion that numerous South African beams were used in June 19-CIDSA Study Group the project. at the Offices of District 65, UA W This summer, the Steel Task Force will continue to Room 1226, 53 W.Jackson, Chicago rally support of Illinois citizens for an amendment to the 6:30p.m. Illinois Steel Procurement Act which would prohibit the importation of South African Steel for use in public June 20-U of I Board of Trustees Meeting. works projects. We anticipate that the amendment, Call CIDSA for location and detail& which is pending in the Illinois House, will be voted on in 922-3915. the Fall of 1985. July 14-CIDSA Barbeque at the Thompsons' 2021 W. Hutchinson, Chicago, 4:00p.m. Tour Successful State-Wide Cash Bar. Bring something to grill and a dish to share. continued from page 4 Cheryl Johnson, Orland Redekopp, Mark Sullivan, Ora August 4-CIDSA General Membership Meeting Schub and Prexy Nesbitt. U.E.Hall, 37 S. Ashland, Chicago Many thanks to all of these participants and to th_ose 6p.m. of you who coordinated the tour events state-w1de. Together we succeeded in "bringing South Africa home" ®~ 596 to Illinois.

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