,.._
-AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE
Pacific Northwest Region Portland Area Program Office
January 1985 Monthly Report Southern Africa Program
Evaluation of Demonstrations (also see attached news articles) Mr. Van Pelt resigned as honorary consul on January 18, 1985. A statement he released to the press is attached. Ten POSAF and Rainbow-Organizing committee members evaluated the demonstrations at the POSAF meeting on January 22nd. Positive aspects: clear target and purpose; strong feeling of solidarity; some friendships developed on picket line; heightened public awareness of South Africa and Oregon connections; diverse organizational involvement; good press coverage after the first two weeks. We need to make more of an effort to get people's names who are on the picket line, although we did get an overall list of 70 names. A need for a get together was expressed by many and one was planned for 2-1-85 at Aldo's, a restaurant in the same block as the former consulate location. (The restaurant claimed to have lost lunch business during the first demonstration due to the huge crowd on the sidewalk.) It was expected that 50-60 people would attend this gathering. A letter of appreciation was also sent to Aldo's and an art gallery (also on the same block) expressing thanks for tolerating the demonstrations. Personal contacts were also made with the owner or manager of these businesses by a member of the Rainbow Committee to express the same. A total of 26 people were arrested during the five weeks of demonstrations which began on December 12th. The legal committee will attempt to negotiate getting the charges dropped. All cases are being handled by over 20 volunteer attorneys from the National Lawyers Guild.
Two city commissioners (who participated in the demonstrations) met with Mr. Van Pelt after he resigned. They reported that nothing was accomplished by the meeting.·
Organizations supporting the demonstrations included: Women's International League for Peace and Freedom; Central America Solidarity Committee; Black United Front; New Jewish Agenda; New Clear Vision; Clergy & Laity Concerned; Black Students Union of Portland State University; Oregon Rainbow Coalition; African Students Association of Portland State University; Black Women's Network; Oregon Grey Panthers; Oregon AFL-CIO; Oregon Democratic Party; Right to Privacy PAC; National Lawyers Guild.
Divestment -- Possible next steps, strategies and priorities still being discussed include divestment. The Rainbow Organizing Committee will write the bill. Representative Margaret Carter of Portland will introduce it, and POSAF may be iiwolved with others in an educational tour around the state. POSAF will also be a co-sponsor on the bill.
Kruggerand research is being done by several to determine, among other things, volume, who sells them, etc.
Banks-- The past campaign will be examined.
Port of Portland - A South African ship was recently unloaded. Portland longsho~emen have a history of racism and also of not being interested in boycotting
1 loads. It was suggested that AFSC staff in San Francisco active in the dockworkers action may be a helpful resource.
Randall Robinson has committed to a Portland visit, either late in February or in early April if we can work it out with his schedule.
POSAF Committee-- It was decided at the January 12th POSAF meeting that based on our experience with the demonstrations the committees we need to maintain are fundraising, boycotts, and education/outreach.
"What's Right" --Two participants in civil disobedience, Professors Trevor Purcell and William Little, agreed to appear on "What's Right", the religious emphasis television program moderated by Reverend Terry Swicegood of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Calvin Van Pelt was one of the guests.
Meeting with the Oregonian Editorial Board-- Ave! set up a meeting with the Oregonian Editorial Board which was attended by POSAF supporters Art Alexander (producer, Black community television, POSAF, media consultant); John Blank (Metropolitan Human Relations Commission, Rainbow Organizing Committee); Reymondo Marin (Director, Metropolitan Human Relations Commission); and Richard Brown (Rainbow Organizing Committee). The meeting was requested in response to the 'Outrageous editorial that followed the Consul's resignation. The outcome was an invitation to do an "In My Opinion". * Concert-- Ben Priestley has written a letter to James De Priest, Oregon Symphony Conductor, asking him to support us and to consider having a concert for the Free South Africa Movement.
Thandie Konkoe, a Black South African woman journalist and health care worker, is on tour sponsored by the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, D.C. and the Council for Human Rights in Eugene. We have been asked to have luncheon for her on February 19th, Tuesday, at 12:30 p.m.
Cultural Boycott-- Programmers at North Coast Community Radio in Astoria, Oregon requested a list of performers being boycotted for performances in South Africa i-n order to participate in the boycott. "'JQ~:;-to Panel Participation -- Buff was a panel participant for a discussion on "South Africa and the U.S. -- An Immoral Connection" at Lewis and Clark College.
Divestiture-- Ave! attended a meeting on State Divestiture at the State Capitol on January 17 ," 1985. Nineteen were in attendance, including nine state legislators. An initial plan for achieving this goal was laid out with several organizations and individuals taking responsibility for pieces of the work.
Transafrica Meeting-- On Saturday, January 5, A vel attended a meeting at TransAfrica in Washington D.C. The meeting was attended by 18 people representing major cities involved in demonstrations, as well as by some of the Steering Committee of the Free South Africa Movement, including Randall Robinson and Rep. Walter Fauntroy who co-chaired the meeting and Mary Berry.
As of January 4th, a total of 487 arrests had taken place in 11 of the 15 cities where demonstrations have been occuring. TransAfrica is asking groups to increase demonstrations and numbers of arrests, but at the same time not provoke the police
2 in any way, i.e., keep the focus on the issue. There is now a plan to have mayors arrested around the country. On January 19th, there will be a demonstration spear headed by Jesse Jackson. The focus will be on the link between jobs lost here and exploitation of cheap labor in South Africa.
The main reason that TransAfrica is asking for a step-up in demonstrations and arrests is because of the divestment and other SA related legislation .that is being introduced in Washington, D.C. and other cities. Representatives Gray, Solarz, Fauntroy, Kennedy, and others are putting together a bill that would include a stop to new investment, ban the Kruggerand and put a ban on transfer of technology and military assistance.
TransAfrica is working with a legal firm that will coordinate the legal strategies around the country. Kathleen Herron, National Lawyers Guild, will keep in touch with that firm and also give them information on Portland's activities.
The National Council of Churches is doing a letter writing campaign on the Kruggerand and divestment.
Roger Wilkins did a mini-workshop on how to work with the press. Mary Berry will be go0st-writing editorials for our use.
Robinson has written a letter to CBS regarding the 60 Minutes program on South Africa. A copy of that is available, along with a 27 page rebuttal of points made in the program. Contact Avel for copies.
BCTV Panel-- Avet, Ben and Reed Professor Trevor Purcell participated as panelists on alive call-in program on"Free South Africa ~.1\ovement Update"-- BCTV Channel 23. Art Alexander was host.
*Note: According to Art Alexander, The Oregonian ac·knowledged that they did little or no research prior to·publishing editorial. The editorial was allowed to go t~rough based on hears~y and not solid reporting.
3 STATEMaNT OF CALVIN L. VAN PELT January 18, 1985
For more than a decade, I have served as Honorary Consul for the Republic of South Africa in the State 'of Oregon. For the past six weeks, the position I hold has been the target of public demonstrations. The demonstrations have involved picketing at my place of work
every Wednesday and F~iday, culminating each day in a
•media arrest• of one o~ more people for criminal trespass. ·While I respect the right of people to assemble and ·express themselves, these demonstrations-have done more. They have disrupted the conduct of business at my place of work, interfered with the lives and affairs of other tenants in my office building, and injured retail-business . in the vicinity. They have necessitated the hiring of
private security pe~sonnel by my l.andlord, and have cost the public thousands of dollars for police protection for me and for those who 11•• and work around me. During the past decade, many positive changes have occur-red in South Africa, and many more are underway, making life better for all people in that country. For this reason, I have served as Honorary Consul proudly and enthusiastically. The pace-of progress in South Africa has been slower than many South African-s would have hoped, just as our civil rights movement has taken more time than many Americans would have hoped. Nevertheless, substantial progress has been and .is beingmade. It is.now·clear that the demonstrations will not cease, and that I cannot continue to serve without inflicting further hardships on those who live and work around me. This I cannot conscientiously do. I am certain .. that.some elements will regard my resignation as a victory, but it is a·triumph for harassment, not of ideas. Fair minded people will assess this situation on its merits, not by protesters' ability to coerce resignations of unpaid consuls. Accordingly, I have today withdrawn from my position as He>horary Consul for the Republic of South Africa. AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMff I EE PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION PORTIAND AREA PROGRAM OFFICE 2249 East Burnside Street Portland, Oregon 97214-1678
Response to Resignation of Calvin Van Pelt,
Honorary South African Consul
For Immediate Release Cont~d: Ave! Gordly
January 18, 1985 230-9427
We believe that what has been demonstr~ted is the power of ordinary people. The
organi.~ations involved in organizing the demonstrations, The Black United Front,
Portlanders Organized for Southern African Freedom, American Friends Service
Committee and the Rainbow Organizing Committee, want to thank everyone who helped
bring this about, especially m~mbers of the clergy, Rev. John Jackson, Rev. Phil Park,
Chaplain Jim Stuart, and State Representatives Margaret Carter and Mike Burton, and
also the people who traveled from Corvallis and Eugene to demonstrate and be arrested.
We commend ~Ar. Van Pelt, we applaud him for acting courageously in the interest
of freedom loving people here and in South Africa. Perhaps we can work cooperatively
· on some other issues. We feel that what he has done is an exceptional service to the city
of Portland and the State of Oregon.
We have an on-going concern about all Oregon ties to the South African
government-- a government based on legalized racism where the Black majority
population, including Nobel Peace prize winner 131shop Tutu, cannot vote. We will work
with the RainbowOrganizing Committee, Representative ~1argaret C:arter, and others to
move passage of a divestment bill. We want to sec the withdrawal of all curren~
investments and no new investments in the South A fric~n government.
PEACE EDUCATION PROGRAM- (503) 230-9427 • COMMUNITY RELA TJONS PROGRAM- (503) 230-9429 Brought on himself ' . To th~ ~tor: I found your editoztal "No ~Just making a noise' :r::rtersdm ~c~ory'" (Jan. 22), to be the' most To the Editor: Thank you for printing so . e , edtto~l to appear in The Oregonian. prominently the article, "South African law wur:h companson of a non-violent protest . . ose who bomb abortion clinics is offen tears blacks from land" (Jan. 22). This detailed SlVe. • report concludes with words spoken with bitter Additionally, Calyin Van Pelt (former honor helplessness by a 38-year-old black African, ary consul for South Africa) brought most of '"'"lf\H'\\"UIIhfUUUnnM•••• ~e problems onto himself, since he refused o m~et and discuss the matter. Yes, free ex- preSSl~n. does allow for debate, but the podium •1111\ll\\11\llll for thi~ tssue was occupied by one side, and the other Slde refused to debate. ROBERT PHILLIPS, . O . 4426 N.E. lOth Ave. . J"·~·;ton ' Cf.A(.. I /;;..c. ( t-5 .,..
one of 60,000 residents .due to be moved against their will from their fruitful land to a distant, arid, unproductive, so-called "homeland." The report says that 3 million blacks have already suffered that treatment and that 2 mil· II~ 7/8S. · lion more will. be transferred. . "Why do you want to tell these Western Letters .. oresoY) ,~ countries about what is happening here? They just make noises while things go on the same. All this talk and nothing has changed since I was a child," says the disappointed man. For civil disobedience On the same day, your editorial, "No win To the Editor: I trust that The Oregonian ners in 'victory' ," compared the mild, non-vio will soon be embarrassed by its editorial, "No lent protesters who have recently visited the winners in 'victory' " (Jan. 22). To equate the · office of the South African government's consul peaceful civil disobedienCe of the Free South in Portland to the Nazi thugs of Hitler's Ger Africa movement with· the terrorism of abor many. tion clinic bombers and Nazis is as exaggerated Calvin Van Pelt may claim to have been a slander as I've ever seen. Your later, eontra· harassed, but the harassment, if any, should not dietary, tacit acceptance of peaceful Civil dis · be compared to that suffered by those beaten on obedience "as a final resort" makes your ex German streets. Neither does it compare to the treme rhetoric look even more ridiculous. What harassment being suffered by the black South exactly do you mean? Africans at the hands of their white masters. It has taken civil disobedience by prominent Your editorial comments are usually wiser Americans to bring apartheid into the immedi· than those you offered on this subject. Please ate consciousness of less-aware Americans. As rethink your position; otherwise, you will be the. shock of this so-called disruption fades, the "just making a noise and changing nothing." logic of the protesters is made clear, and even Knowing your high standards I know that this becomes general public sentiment. is not what you want. As well as being perfectly peaceful, harm· REV. ERIC L. ROBINSON, less - even, in the last analysis, law-abiding in . / 1492Bums, its cooperation with the police - the Free :2. { / 2 5- West Linn. South Africa movement is the worthy heir of a long American tradition of protest in the cause of justice. t CHRIS NIELSEN, 52~5 N.E. 30th Ave. rnULTnOmRH COUnTY OREGOn
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PAULINE ANDERSON • District 1 • 248-5220 ROOM 605, COUNTY COURTHOUSE GRETCHEN KAFOURY • District 2 • 248-5219 1021 S.W. FOURTH AVENUE CAROLINE MILLER • District 3 e 248-5217 PORTLAND, OREGON 97204 EARL BLUMENAUER • District 4 • 248-5218 GORDON SHADBURNE • District 5 • 248-5213
Janu-ary 11, 1985
Statement by Commi.ssioneH'' · Gretcfleri · Kafoury
I can no longer remain silent in face of the growing evidence of the unrelenting oppression in South Africa. We who live in a free country can ~jot continue to take our freedom for granted,- when the majority of South Africans are denied the most basfc of human rights.
The failure in recent elections i'n South Africa to include the particfpation of its Black citizens can no longer be ignored; the mounting evidence of violence against toe majorfty of fts cttizens by the South African government can no longer be ignored; the imprisonment w'itt.iout trial of those who speak out against South African policies can no Jonger oe ignored; tEle forced resettlement of thousands of Black ti.tizens to ari.d wastelands can no longer be ignored.
As an elected public offi.cial in a free, open and democratic society, I believe I have a moral responstbility to call attention to the ugly reality of apartheid in South Africa. As a Quaker and a pacifist, I oelieve civil disobedience is an effecti:ve and 'appropriate tacttc for protesting injustice.
###
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER GRETCHEN KAFOURY Multnomah County Commissioner District Two Room 605, County Courthouse Portland, Oregon 97204
January 23, 1985
Avel Gordly American Friends Service Committee 2249 E. Brunside Portland, Oregon 97214 Avel: Here is the article I promised. We met with Van Pelt after his resignation and I would say that nothing was accomplished by the meeting. KeG~~ ) Gretchen -. 86 3M
Founded Dec. 4, 1850. Established as a daily Feb. 4. 1861. The Sunday Oregonian established Dec. 4, 1881. Published daily and Sunday by the Oregonian Publishing Co .• 1320 S.W. Broadway, Portland, Oregon 97201. FRED A. STICKEL, Presidentand P-ublisher WILLIAM A. HILLIARD, Executive Editor - ROBERT M:LANDAUER. Editorial Page Editor DONALD J. STERLING JR., Asst. to the Publisher PETER THOMPSON, Managing Editor ROBERT N. SCHOENBACHER, Advertising Dir. PATRICK L. MARLTON, Circulation Oir.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1985 No winners in 'victory' The honorary consul in Oregon for · built upon the standard of the end justi South Africa has resigned, and some tying the means. people are reacting with glee. But the It must not become the- operating parting words of the_ former volunteer standard of dissent in the United States spokesman for that- nation ought to be of America. _ heeded: Free expression allows for debate. "I am certain that some elements -When thafis not acceptable to one side will regard my resignation as a victory, or another~ then free expression cer but it is a: triumph for harassment, not tainly includes vigils, demonstrations of ideas," Portlander Calvin L. VanPelt and counterdemonstrations. It even in said. eludes, as a final resort, peaceful civil
Certainly the strong feelings about disobedience, with the understanding • : ·• :,_ I - ~ South Africa's apartheid policy are un- that laws of a democratic, free society derstandable. Certainly the right to as- will and ought to be enforced.· semble and express those views is to be Had the South African honorary con supported~ But where does expression sui resigned because he was convinced Letters end and harassment - or worse - that he represented a nation whose begin? - treatment of its own citizens was · Is it expression to disrupt the busi- wrong and inhumane and that his serv nesses of Van Pelt, his neighbors in the ice was- inappropriate for a person of An 'upbeat city' building with him and retail businesses conscience in a free nation, that would To the Editor: The descriptions recited l in the vicinity? Is it expressio11 to tres- have been a victory for rationality, ci Jeanne Safford on the Forum page (Jan. 17) c pass on· private property? If so, is it not vility and the democratic process in not apply to Portland. They may apply to oth1 places, but in Portland the poor and the hom also expression to bomb abortion clinics Portland, Ore. less can get help. and throw rocks through their win- The weapons for battle in this com- There are food banks throughout the metr' dows? munity, as in this nation and someday politan area: Local agencies responsible for U We think. not. That is the kind of ex· throughout the world, must be reason distribution of cheese allotments through U pression sanctioned in nations such as and persuasion applied· through the U.S. government can bend the rules in erne Nazi Germany, where thugs marched rules of the democratic process. Any gency situations. through the streets, beating those who thing less is a defeat for all of us who When the public library refuses to grant chose to be different or sought to stand believe in human rights and the orderly card or the Post Office refuses to give out rna at General Delivery or the state does not allo1 up to them. That was the modern nation advancement of civilization. one to register to vote, there is an answer. Til homeless person can give Baloney Joe's o Burnside Street as his or her address when tl: reason for refusal for any of these things is t1l fact the person has no permanellt,.l.ddress. Upgrade Anderson's post If all else fails one can always go to the pc lice. They are not the enemy. They are there t Gov. Vic Atiyeh was wise to move McCall once appointed himself chair help us all in whatev,er way they can, and the quickly in naming an acting director for man of the state Environmental Quality do. . .. Oregon's Economic De' clopment Dc Commission, giving that agency the Portland is an upbeat city. Let us keep it t1u partl}lent, rather than retaining John special visibility and public attention it way. ', .... ,, ...·,,;: Anderson until an exhaustive talent needed. WENDELL.TAMBURR< search produces a permanent successor. Anderson did an outstanding job for ,55 N.E. Village SquireAve:;·No.-11 Anderson, who has accepted a similar Oregon, both as an organizer and sales- Gresham Protesters,' ,. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1985 About the consul for south Africa and his fine services during the past decade, let me say : 'made'COhsUI > he performed in exemplary manner, and is re spected by his eonfreres in the Oregon Consular ·· Corps and by his business associates. Portland may, in the future, benefit from a unfair:;J~~Qet >··• World Trade Building largely tlirough the ef· forts of van Pelt. His testimony on international By ROLV HARLOW SCHILLIOS ,. trade at the state Legislature and his represen tation of other orgai1izations have been appre- · SCORE A VICTORY f~r the protesters who . cia ted. forced the resignation of the Hon; Calvin van As is often the ·case throughout the world, Pelt, eonsul for South ,, , . . ,, ...... business often builds bridges and opens dia Africa, but chalk up >J . ,· , ·· · Iogue after other means fail. Witness the reee~t . ~ also a loss for Oregon .. it _n my . ' bnsiness-to-business talks which have the po . . and a dlsservice toJ:)lec.JC , · · • · • ·. · tential of' knitting a divided Korea. blacks of.that nation. ~· ... ' opinion Not so inCidentally, it appears van Pelt As he aptly stated, .'· . · · should have been aceorded more prQtection 'his resignation·1~as.a,;~;.;.:-.-· .... ~· -~- than he and his property were given. His offi· triumph for harasSDien( not ideas.". Cial car had a radio stolen from it, he and his When .then-Oregon· State Treasurer Clay . family have suffered untold abuse and nearby Myers and I visi~ South Africa in 1982, we . · businesses have been injured by the deliberate .. were ·advised. by prominent blaCks and sympa actions of the protesters. . thetic whites that diyestiture by the United .•. Such actions are not only flagrant violalions States would be a step baCkward for the blaCks~ .. of local law, they are not in keeping with pro · 'That question was put directly to the noted tections we expect foreign Countries to aceord author Alan Paton, withm the study of his eom.; · American diplomats abroad. Portland .leaders fortable home outside Durbin. ' ·· · would do well to read the Vienna Accords "You can't take away the jobs from the~··.,;; ·agreed to by 92 nations, including the United ple. In my opinion, I couldn't possibly take a 1 .. . States, on protections due consuls and Consul· . . steP whiCh would put .10,000 people out. of ites. · · ' work in Portland; Oregon; Do· you think rm . Oregon is privileged to have 26 sought-after going to put 10,000 people OUt Of WOrk in Port . consulates here that perform manifold. services Elizabeth?" And he ·went:on to recau temng· beneficial to this state through furtheranee of .. American blaCks who raised the question of di·Y-'? international trade and cultural and educational •··. vestments on his last visit to Harvard Universi·. ,,t i: exchanges. Their performance reeord has likely ty that he opposed the idea._·~.y· ·. .· '. •: :< ·,._,.;::. . · saved Oregon millions of dollars through the : < Progress? "I think there have been signifi·· · more than 100 years this public serviee has · cant changes • • . I feel more hopeful· for the .. ~n provided .here - for free. · .· . . . .future than I have felt for 30 years," Paton said.' . With at least one out of every 10 jobs in We came J.Way with the clear understanding Oregon dependent on international trade, their ' one eannot equate South African problems with ·· : · rOle is not to be taken lightly...... __ those iD America and· with a realization that Yes, the well-orchestrated· protests have · · there have been dramatic changeS there ~g · scored a victory, but, I reiterate, it is question.; the past 10 years. ·. · ·· · able whether they have helped the blacks in · South Africa by their misguided acts. Certainly they have not performed a service for soCiety as a whole. We have all been diminished by the resignation of Cal van Pelt. Rolv Harlow Schillfos is honoraiy consul lor the Republic of Korea and manager of the pub lications department of the Portland Chamber .of Commerce. · The Oregonian, Saturday, January 19, 1985
Honorary consul to South Africa re~igns, cites disruptions· By DAVE HOGAN picketing. anti-apartheid protests, calling Val!· more of a demand for severance of Africans would have hoped, just as our of The Oregonian staN "While I respect the right of .people Pelt's resignation "a courageous act." · those ties," she said. civil rights movement has taken more Oregon's honorary consul for South to assemble and express themselves, She said the organizing groups.includ· VanPelt could not be reached for time than many Americans would have Africa, Calvin L. VanPelt, resigned that these demonstrations have done more," ed the Black United Front, American additional comments, and Potter saki hoped. Nevertheless, substanttal position Friday, saying that twice." VanPelt said in a statement read to The Friends Service Committee, Rainbow · he left Portland Friday and. would be progress has been and is being made." Oregonian by Irv Potter, senior vice Organizing Committee, and Portland Is weekly demonstrations outside his out of town for the weekend. In !lis VanPelt said he had served as Ore· Portland office have caused too many president for Martin Sales. "They have Organized for Southern Aflican Free· prepared statement, however, VanPelt goo's honorary consul for South Africa hardships for those who live and work disrupted the conduct of business at dom. · emphasized that he · felt conditions for more than a decade. around him. my place of work, interfered with the · "We feel that what he has done is were improving in South Africa. lives and affairs of other tenants in my an exceptional service to Portland and "I am certain that some elements Since Dec. 12, VanPelt has been the . "During the past decade, many posi· target of anti-apartheid picketing each office building, and injured retail busi· the state of Oregon," Gordly said, ad· will regard my resignation as a vic· ness in the vicinity. ding that the groups would work for tive changes have occurred in South tory, but it is a triumph for harass· Wednesday and Friday at his office in Africa and many more are under way, downtown Portland. He is vice presi· · "It is now clear that the demonstra· elimination of all Oregon connections ment, not of ideas. Fair-minded people tions will not cease and that I cannot to the South African government, · making life better for all people in that will assess this situation on its merits, dent of Martin Sales International country. For this reason, I have served Corp. continue to serve without inflicting which Is based on "legalized racism,'' not by protesters' ability to coerce res· further hardships on those who live she said. · as honorary consul proudly and enthu· ignations of unpaid consuls. Accord· More than 20 persons have been ar· and work around me.:• · "We do believe that once Oregon· siastically. ingly, I have today withdrawn from rested and charged with attempted Ave! Gordly responded Friday on ians become more aware of Oregon's "The pace of progress in South Afri· my position as honorary consul of trespassing in connection with the behalf of the groups tliat organized the ties to South Africa, there will be even ca has been slower than many South South Africa."
(
• BUiLDING MOMENTl1M- D~splte Calvin Van Pelt;s .resignation last week from his" position 'as honorary South African consul in Portland, local anti-apartheid protesters intend to remain active. According to Avel Gordley, one ofthe organi~ers of the recent demonstrations outside Van Pelt's office, more work will be aimed at breaking the ties that bind Oregon and South Africa. CALVIN L. VANPELT Coin shops that deal in Krugerrands, the Sou~h African gold coins, may be picketed next. Gordley said. And a strong divestment bill, not merely symbolic but "with teeth," will. be introduced into the s~teLegislatur~-~ystate.R~p;MargaretCarter(Dist.18). Wt\\1.~(. ~ ).'(-~ llis Gazette·Times, Corvallis Ore., Saturday, January 19, 1985
'J .. .> ~; South Africa: Oregon consul resigns
by Lanita Duke GRASSROOT NEWS, N.W. Anti;apartheid organizations and individuals won a battle in the war against the racist regime of South Africa as Oregon's honorary consul for South Africa, Calvin VanPelt, resigried Friday, January 18. - •.Van Pelt's office was the target of bi-weekly picketing and criminal trespass arrests. Since December 12, more than 20 civic, religious and po litical leaders submitted to arrest as they refused to leave VanPelt's office at Martin Sales International located in Downtown Portland. In a prepared statement VanPelt said, "While I respect the right of people to assemble and express them selves, these demonstrations have done more. They have disrupted t_he Avel Gordly (2nd from left) of Po.rtlanders Organized for Southern conduct of business at my place of Africa Freedom was on hand at the Anti-Inaugural Ball Monday night work, interfered wtth the lives and to thank the National lawyers Guild for their support during the dem affairs of other tenants in my office onstrations that led to Calvin Val Pelt resigning frorn. his position as the honorary South African consul. Also shown with Gordly are (1-r) Attor .nars Jeremy Sai'ant. Lee Ann Ward. Beverly Stein and Doug Swanson. building, and injured retail business (Photo: Richard J. Bro·wn) in the vicinity ..... I cannot continue to serve without inflicting further hardship on those who live and wor.k around me." Calvin Van·Pelt resigns Avel Gordly, spokesperson for (Continued/rom Page I, Column 6) the organizations that spearheaded hold of apartheid. VanPelt's resig- · the protest. against the South African ·TuTu cannot vote and the.South nation is one nail in the coffin of African government has instituted apartheid." consul, said VanPelt's resignation was .a courageous act. "We feel VanPelt more repression," she added, Organizations who fused this anti has done an exceptio.nal service to . It was the overt revival of repres apartheid action were the Black Unit- ; Po~tland and the State of Oregon. We sion~ the arrestofBlack labor lead- ed Front, American Friend Service ! believe that once Oregonians become . ers - that provided anti-apartheid . Committee, Oregon's rainbow Or- i aware of Oregon's ties to South Afri foes· with additional momentum in ganization Committee and Portland-~ ca, there will be a demand for sever battling S()uth Africa's legalized slav- ers Organized for Southern Africa~ ance of those ties." . ery ..ln Washington~ o:c., on thanks Freedom. . ~ VanPelt said he believes substantial giving Eve, '84, three national civil Ben Priestly, a member of the BUF,;1 progress has been made in South rights and political leaders held a . said. "Our work is not over. Until1 ·sit-in at South Africa's embassy to the majority rules and apartheid dis-~ Africa. But Gordly countered. with I · "the facts contradict his understand~ demand the felease of those labor . appears we will continue to press forl ing." · · .leaders. The consul panicked and freedom for the Black majority." i "The majority cannot' vote. Nobel · ·called the police. Thus, new meaning Both Gordly and Priestly said thej Peace Prize winner Bishop Desmond was given to civil disobedience as 14 success of the demonstrations be-l (Please turn lo Page 2, Column /) cities across the United States erupted longed to those who were arrested andj in picketing and arrests at South Af the 50-150 citizens whose bJ-weekly~ rican corisulates. presence on the picket line contribut-l Bobbi Gary, president of the Ore · ed to VanPelt's resignation. Also,l Por+lttnd gon Oray panthers and one of the 26 Gordly commended the legal support! .who were arrested, said VanPelt's they received from the National Law-i ve-f · resignation was the fruits of their yer's Guild. . · Obsu ... labor. "I hope across the country Priestly said the success of the! - . other consuls will follow VanPelt's dernonstration is proofositive thai example. Every bit of business that citizens can make a change when the!l 23-<6S"" flows to South Africa tightens the desire to do so. ·! South African Protests
Grass ~ ~er
Letter to the Editor:
We believe that whllt has been demonstrated is the power of ordinary people. The organizations involved Successful South Africa ro~~L in organizing the de~onstrations, The Black United Freedom, American Friends Service Committee and the I-10-J;~· Rainbow. Organizing Committee, want to thank everyone who helped bring this about, especially members of the clergy, Rev. John Jackson, Rev. Phil 'f~?,i!~~~~~~~!~.~OI~e ~~~ing concern.~, Park, Chaplain Jim Stuart, and State Representatives vin VanPelt resigned his position as all Oregon ties to the South African Margaret Carter and Mike Burton, and also the people the Honorary Consul to South government - a government based who traveled from Corvallis and Eugene to demonstrate . Africa. on legalized racism where the Black and be arrested. We believe that what has been majority population, including Nobel 'we commend Mr. Van Pelt for acting courageously demonstrated is the power of ordi- Peace prize winner Bishop Tutu, in the in1erest of freedom-loving people here and in South Africa. Perhaps we can work cooperatively nary people. The organizations in- cannot vote. We will work with the on so·11e other issues. We feel that what he has done is volved in organizing the demonstra- Rainbow Organizing Committee, an exceptional service to the city of Portland and the tions, The Black United Front, RepresentatiVes Margaret Carter, state of Oregon. Portlanders Organized for Southern and others to move passage of a di- We have an on-going concern about an Oregon ties African Freedom, American Friends vestment bill. We want to see the to the South African goveml)lent - a government Service Committee and the Rainbow withdrawal of all current investments ba .e I on legalized racism where the Black majority :organizing Committee, want to thank and no new investments in the South population, including Nobel . Peace prize winner :everyone who helped bring this about, African government. Bi~hop Tutu, can not vote. We win work with the :especially members of the clergy, 'Rainbow Organizing Committee, Representative :Rev. John Jackson, Rev. Phil Park; Margaret Carter, and others to move passage of ·a . APost-Picket Party get-together :chaplain Jim Stuart, and State Rep divestment bill. We want to see the withdrawal of and dinner will be held at Aldo's Margaret Carter and an current investments· and no new investments in :~esentatives Restaurant, 824 S. W. 1st, in the Gar ;Mike Burton, and also the people the ·outh African government. den Room on Friday, February 1st, ~who traveled from Corvallis and 4 to 7 Everyone is invited by American Friends Service Committee :Eugene to demonstrate and be ar p~m. : rested. POSAF, Rainbow Organizing Com mittee, BUF and AFSC. -r4 o-rr
• •' .· lt)' co en History professor braves arresf .... .in anti-aparthied d~m()nstration By BRET STILLWELL' of the Barometer · OSU associate history pro fessor Douglas Edwin (Ed) Ferguson was arrested on Dec. ·.I 19, 1984 at the South African ·. consulate in Portland on .·.. charges of He did this ·...... :. ,·. ' :,. trespass. intentionally. . Today two more people will be arrested at the consulate on .:.·.··:: 'the same· charge.They are .. .,.•· . ';'·
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c: 0 eC) 0 .~ ·~ 8 ~ ·~ ·c: :::1 THE OREGONIAN, FR·IDAY, JANUARY 11,1985
0 Apartheid protesters 1 0 protesters 0 plead innocent ior •C) PORTLAND (AP) - Attorneys ~ will request jury trials . for 10 protesters, including the Ore· i . ·gon 'Democratic Party chairman and ~ Ten persons, including th~ee pollti-. ."We do not have the constitutional ·.·two newly elected_ legislators, enter- 3. . clans, an attorney and two acaclemies, ·· right to a jury, but we are requesting · _ed innocent pleas Thursday on tres- ~ · were arraigned Thursday on charges of' one because. we want the citizens of passing charges stemming from a · . o attempted trespassing in demonstra- • Multnomah County to decide this : series. of anti-apartheid demonstra- ·· · ~ tions at the South African honorary ·case," she Said. . tions lit the South African consulate !!!. in Portland. . -~ co~~:of~ice i~ ~ortl~:· · .G . . Guild attorney. Lynne Parkinson, ; . essmg u ge · ar 1es · .. umas~ ·who is also accused of attempted tres " · Democratic Chairman Dick Celsi §> so, Kathleen HP.rron, coordinator of the< ;·and Democratic state Reps. Marga- : . G 'ld said h passing, invited Guinasso to join the Na ti onal . :. Lawyers u1 , .·. .s e; d t t Th · d d n ed :. ret Garter and Mike Burton of Port· ~ . would ask for jury trials; even thougb . : e~ons ra ors~;. e .JU ge . e~. n. ' ~.land were arrested Dec. 21 at the of- lr the ·charge$ had been reduced tQ vio.;·:: .·: saYln~ h~ ~as JUst domg my JOb .• ··. {fice of Caivin VanPelt, the honorary· I · lations, an( there is no right to a jurt: . : · Those appearing in court Thursday :;South ~f~ic~n consul. ~ · trial on violations ... ·· ...·. . .. · :. ·.,: · .: .·were. Trevor Purcell, professor of an
Student, faculty protesters arrested
by NANCY SOLOMON of the Vanguard stall Three PSU professors and the presidentofthe Associa tion of African Students were arrested recently during " semiweekly demonstrations against South African racism. · · _ · The protests are staged every- Wednesday and Friday at noon in front of the local office of Oregon's Honorary Consul for the Republic of South Africa The protesters are demanding that the consul, Calvin Van Pelt, ·resign from his unpaid, honorary position. · /',. II • •• black people in South Africa aren't even treated ~...,c~A as human beings. " h$(:1 • c:- CD '0- CD- '0 '0 IU >. ' ~ c: c: ~,: - Abdi Hassan ,.. IU--o- c:O .... o.- c:oc:c:ol\1 ·-:l:CD · • C: 0CDE~~0~-CDIU .r:::.CD •v'---IU~IUEo- ~IU-CI>-o- 0- o - 0 --E - Two protesters are arrested for trespassing during each Q. CI)00o.-CDIU ot:: t::~.._OCD0 -c:>-·;::- demonstration as part of the planned pr.otest. Since Dec. -CD0~~'000-IU 0 CD'- CD ~-- IU "'- a. a..- 1U CD '7"0 - a. a. .r:::. '" CD : ~ . ~ 0 0 - ...... - .... ~- ~ 0'00 CI>- 12, speech communications professor Stephen Kosokoff, ~ IU ~s.r:::.-:5 ~ 0 IU -'5._:5:sfa.·iij 0 ~.._ ~ Black Studies department head Darrell Millner, Black E c:M0.0-~1J'- 0 OON0'-00>.CI>eCI> Studies professor William Little and African student Ab· 0 0 C\1 CD ·- 5 0 C: Q) >.~IU ~ (I) IU >. g - C: C .r:::. IU :: 0 '0 .t::. .S (I)·;:: IU Cl~ 0 a._ z ~ "" C: 0 0 3: 2 0 di Hassan have been cited. ... -c:I-IU --~ ·;:: OIU 0-o a.CD ~lUlU ."5:5~~ .... -o:!:i: CD.r::.:(lc:~.tc:Jg::s:!o:l: "It's the least we can do for the South African people. 0 '00-.r:::.E~CI>- a.-_IU_ .... _.._CI>O They don't have the right to demonstrate, " Hassan said. .,..->-c:c:3:- :::: CD ~.r::. CD Oa.- o CD o.r:::. o>-.r::.l!:l E 3:.:.: CD "To me, as a person from that area, it's an insult to my . "" -:3~~_o o~iiiCD-oo- ;.e;~J:~0 o.r::. ~...., 0 c: "- CI>'OCI) >- >-~==1--CD~·-c:~ "iii 0 0 ·- ' CD IU- existence because the black people in South Africa aren't "-00 IU oooo ~c:o .r::.-o even treated as human beings." . c a.:;:; a. :5 .:::: .: o~ en a. e e E !:::.==>a: - ~ - "The protests are against apartheid and the government 0 of South Africa:• Kosokoff said. "Van Pelt is the local (J
representative of the government of South Africa, so it's ~ reasonable that we demand that he resign:• · ··· Initiated by the Black United Front, the Rainbow ~ Organizing ·Committee and Portlanders Organized for CD South African Freedom (POSAF), the effort to terminate ...., ~ the consulate would send a message to the South African U) 'E government, protesters say. CD 0 ...., CJ "There is a large number of people in this country who 0 realize that there are large violations of human rights in -Q) South Africa, " POSAF member Avel Gordly said. ... > "We don't want an official person placed between the a. c:( racist government of South Africa and Oregonians. That is abhorrent to us, " Demonstrations against South African consuls are tak ing place nationwide, Gordly said. In Boston and Pitt· sburgh, the consuls have resigned. Sin_ce _":!~".·_?!•. _t_!lere ~ave ~een 487 !lrrests during Ahtfi l-l~~~~n C2 3M II THE OREGONIAN, SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1985 Strachan, Kafoury not booked Portland City Commissioner Mar garet Strachan and Multnomah Coun ty Commissioner Gretchen Kafoury . were not arrested, as they had want ed, ·.Friday during the ongoing anti apartheid protests at the office of the South African honorary consul. More than 20 persons have been arrested and charged with attempted trespassing since the demonstrations started Dec. 12 outside the office of Calvin VanPelt, the honorary consul, at 838 s.w. First Ave. Strachan and Kafoury went to VanPelt's office in Martin Sales Inter- · national and, like the protesters be fore them, planned to allow them selves to be arrested for trespassing after thtlY refused to leave. However, Irv Potter, senior vice president of Martin Sales, invited the two elected officials inside and asked them to sit down. On each previous occasion, he has handed demonstra tors he said were trespassing over to the police. "Those who have already been ar rested, that may be the best way for them to make their point. Elected of The Oregonian/TOM TREICK ficials are, however, elected to enact laws; and If they want to make a·· ANTI-APARTHEID MARCH -Newly elected Multnomah County F.riday outside office of the South African honorary consul on South point, theY' are elected to a job where Commissioner Gretchen Kafoury (second from right) and Portland City west First Avenue downtown. Protests have been staged every they can make that point," he said. Commissioner Margaret Strachan join anti~apartheid demonstration Wednesday and Friday since Dec. 12. Potter accused Bobbie Gary, the president of the Grey Panthers and land Democrats, were arrested. Carter, who is a state representative, Jan. 3, said she and Strachan were main silent "in the face of growing Black Women Network, and Russ Carter, who is black, represents the' was arrested; but when we carried "adding our voices to the growing evidence of unrelenting oppression in Farrell, ·a Portland resident, of tres largely black District 18 in Northeast out the same actions, we were not. chorus of people lnjhis country who South Africa." passing after they refused to leave the Portland. Strachan said Potter's ac "That to me is clearly•a double are unwilling just tclstand by." "We who live in a free country office. tion Friday was "perfectly congru cannot continue to take our free'.•')~f,c·.-,,.-'¢'"' ~"-~>'f'"'~1"•"·~'¥~~~ffi"""::"'~!~',_~C".t:•.C'(~~-1e_"o"_',~"'·:~·~·~..-.~~·r
Twice each week protesters march downtown. Their goal: . to close the local office of tlw Honorary Consul for the Republic ofSouth Africa -,the most prominent svmbol pfthis state'sgrowing_t.i?S tQ_ql)if'l9It!_f?§j!1_gjy__ unpopular regjme. BY GARRET ROMAINE tinuing demonstrations, and he feels sorry for the other tenants in his office building who must put up with the pickets. He com AL YIN VAN PELT is in the hottest seat plains that he isn't getting enough work in Portland. Hi; predicament does not done due to the confrontations. His voice Cstem from his· fob at .Martin Sales Inter-\ becomes angry and indignant: "Why are my _::;,;:'a rights being violated?" he asks. "You deal national small, young Portlimd''firm thM with an issue on a level it can be dealt with finds markets for Romanian and East Euro effectively. Why terrorize or intimidate the pean products. Rather, it derives from a tiny people who can do nothing a!Jout it?'' footnote on Van Pelt's long resume: he is also As an honorary consul (a position akin to an assistant deputy ambassador), Van Pelt the honorary consul to South Africa. As such, actually does very little. He takes phone he has become a symbol of prejudice, segrega calls from potential visitors to South Africa, tion and apartheid to the activists in Portland and furnishes visa information or contacts with popular camera safari organizations. who want South African reform~ Very rarely, he might help bring two busi The tension in Van Pelt's life has .been build-~ nesses together. He annually attends a ing for weeks. On Dec, 12, about 150 protest- meeting with the other South African con suls in the United States, which is held in Washington, D.C. He has traveled to South ers began picketing his office, located on the Africa every two or three years, for a total of fifth floor of the Dayton Building, at 828 SW about 25 .trips, since the early 1950s. He has First Ave., next door to Aldo's restaurant. Van been honorary consul, which requires the approval of both the U.S. State Department Pelt has tried to keep cool despite the contin and the South African government, since ued protests, which have been conducted out 1974. There have been occasional pick~ts side his office every Wednesday and Friday at before, he admits, but they have never seemed so determined. noon, complete with bullhorns and signs. Each What Van Pelt is only now beginning to demonstration has culminated in the arrest of realize is that if 1984 was the year in which two or three prominent local-citizens. America's consciousness was raised about Central America, 1985 is the year of South Portland has not seen such extensive picket Africa. All across the country a national ing since the. early 1970s, and the organiz push is underway to close South Africa's ers - the Black United Front, the American U.S. consulates as a protest against apart · Friends Service Committee, and PQrtlanders heid, the official policy of segregation in that country. Several cities across the United States Organized for South African Freedom - say · have witnessed repeated demonstrations they intend to persist until Van Pelt resigns his since last November, and some 500 people have been arrested on trespassing or other honorary co_nsul position.. They claim they minor charges. They all vow to continue un have a lengthy list of people willing to subject til something significant happens. themseives- to arrest at the twice-weekly dem A variety of factors resulted in the na tional campaign: a recent crackdown in onstrations. South Africa; the award of the 1984 Nobel In an exclusive interview last week With Wil Peace Prize to Bishop Desmond Tutu, a · lamette Week, Van Pelt fimilly was able to let black Anglican minister of Johannesburg; and the coziness of the Reagan Administra off a little steam. He called the protests "pure tion toward the South African regime. intimidation, with the threat of terrorism," and In Oregon, Calvin Van Pelt and his Port hinted darkly that he has received several land office have become, for activists, em threatening phone calls demanding his resig- blematic of the ways in which Oregonians help to exploit the situation in South Africa. Please turn to page 6 That is, a number of eompanies here have significant business ties to· South ,Africa: thousands of tons of goods are shipped each nation. He also revealed that a white supre year to that country through the Port of macist/nco-nazi group had offered to act as Portland; · the state Oregon Investment his bodyguard - or at least crack a few Council invests millions of dollars in compa heads during future demonstrations. nies that do business in South Africa; and a "There's a lunatic fringe to everything," Van number of Portland shops deal in Kruger Pelt says sadly. rands, the gold coins that. are perhaps the A short, stocky man in his 50s~ with a purest symbol of the exploitation of blacks pleasant face and a little remaining white by whites in South Africa. Says Elizabeth hair, Van Pelt is every bit the grandfatherly Groff, an organizer of the protests with the type, and in fact one of his sons recently American Friends Service Committee, presented him with his first grandchild. But "Portlanders need to recognize that this is Van Pelt's professional life at present is an issue that affects them directly." overshadowing any personal happiness. He admits he is "embarrassed" about the con- 6 WILLAMETTE WEEK FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 10-16, 1985 POLITICS OREGON'S SOUTH AFRICAN CONNECTION Continued from 1
For most who follow the news, South Af- ~ rica is not a difficult puzzle to piece to- 5 get her. Compared to the intricacies of trying ~ to figure out whether the Russians are in- 5 fluencing the Sandinistas, the Salvadoran ;;; rebels or other Central American factions, 2 South African issues are relatively easy to -~ a. I "Apa~theid no, freedom yes" understand. engagement" with South Africa: • The sale of enriched uranium to South On the one hand, South African is a bas nature of Reagan's policy of "constructive Africa is reportedly still under COIJSidera tion of capitalism - a wealthy, relatively Conyers cites these examples of the true tion. stable country that is conservative and vehe nature of Reagan's policy of "constructive In the first quarter of 1984 alone, some mently anti-communist. T~e nation is also engagement" with South Africa: But it isn't just the growing revelation that rabidly pro-West, and it is one of the rela • The sale of sophisticated computers that the Reagan Administration is more friendly tively few economic suceess stories in Af help Pretoria keep tabs on citizens. to South Africa that has pushed that na rica, a continent beset by corruption, unem • The sale of aircraft, ostensibly for "medi tion's policies to the front page. The award ployment, falling food production, starva i?cal supplies," but actually for military and, of the Nobel Peace Prize for 1984 to Bishop tion, and disease. South Africa is also a vital ·police surveillance and reconnaissance. Tutu suddenly gave black South Africans an source of raw materials for the industrial • The sa]e of a Cyber 175/750 computer, eloquent and intelligent spokesman on the world. It supplies 45 percent of the West's capable of modeling nuclear detonations, world stage it had never previously enjoyed. manganese, a vital ingredient for steelmak despite the (act that South Africa has failed Tutu - who cannot vote because of his ing. It also provides 60 percent of the West's to ratify the Nuclear Non-Proliferation race - traveled widely both before and after vanadium, another crucial metal for alloy Treaty. accepting his prize in December, even meet ing with steel; and 85 percent of the plati • The sale of police equipment, such as ing with President Reagan. To figure how num, South Africa is also a principal pro~ infrared detectors, electronic sensors, track eloquent and persuasive Tutu can be, one vider of cobalt, titanium, and zirconium, ing devices, and 2;500 electric shock batons, has only to consider the surprising tone of and the nation supplies nearly half the U.S. that can be used for riots and crowd control. Reagan's December speech. Just three days intake of uranium, from mines located in after his talks with the Nobel Prize winner, Namibia. the President gave his harshest criticism to But South Africa has built its long success date on apartheid and urged South Africa to story on the backs of millions of black work Calvin Van Pelt, the see the wisdom in reforming its repressive ers, who toil for wages far lower than those policies. paid whites. Almost 22 million blacks in South Mrican consul, In November, Randall Robinson of Trans South Africa are ruled by a powerful white calls the protests "pure· Africa, a U.S. black activist organization, minority of only 4.5 million. Blacks cannot and three other black leaders met with the vote, they cannot travel freely, and they can intimidation." South African ambassador in Washington, not buy or sell land. Since the institutional D.C., to attempt the negotiated release of 13 ization of apartheid in 1948, South African black labor leaders who had been arrested whites have enjoyed one of the top stand in South Africa. When Robinson and his ards of living in the worJd. Blacks have man- g~oup were rebuffed, they vowed to take . aged only to barely stay ahead o~the rest of their message to the streets, and a nation black Africa. . wide series of protests was organized. In recent months, South Africa's govern~ According to Robinson, Bishop Tutu ment has attempted to deflect international called the American protests, which criticism and domestic grumblings by insti received front page attention in the South tuting some changes. The parliament was African press, "the best Christmas present I opened up to Asians and "coloureds" (peo . could have received." To date, there have ple of mixed race), the two other principal been at least 220 activists arrested in New racial groups, through a political formula York City; 109 in Washington, D.C.; 35 in that provided for two new, separate parlia Seattle; 12 in Porltand; five in Chicago; and mentary branches. In addition, "home three in Houston. All these arrests have lands" were opened up for settlement by been related to efforts to close down consu- blacks.· . lates, and there have been some victories. In But critics point out that the white minor the last year and a half, honorary consuls in ity still wields veto power over the other Pittsburgh and Boston have resigned. racial minorities, and that blacks, by far the In Seattle, Mayor Charles Royer has been largest group of citizens in the country, are sharply critical of the city's honorary South still left out of the governing process. De~ African consul, and has written a letter de spite the "homelands" scheme, productive manding the consulate there be closed: lands are still reserved for the whites. Portland's Mayor Bud Clark, an admirer of The relationship between the United Royer, is said by Portland activists to be States. and South Africa has always been studying the issue carefully. strong politically, but very sensitive. The On top of the protests over consulates, Carter Administration, which placed a high anti-Krugerrand demonstrations have begun pdority on human rights, chilled U.S. rela in Pittsburgh (26 arrests), in Boston (25 ar tions with Pretoria, South Africa's capital. rests), and in Minneapolis and Miami. The During 1980, the Carter Commerce Depart First Bank of St.. Paul in Minnesota has ment withheld approval of any export li halted the sale of the gold coins, due to the censes to that country. protests. But everything changed with the election In all, some 487 people had been arrested of Ronald Reagan in 1980. On a rhetorical by Jan. 4, and the number has continued to level. Reagan noticeably softened U.S. criti grow since. Demonstrations are expected to cism of South Africa, ·and according to begin in several more cities this month. Michigan Congressman John Conyers, a What sets these protests apart from those _in black Democrat, the Reagan Administration the past is the participation of "newsworthy has violated the spirit, if not the letter, of people." At least 15 U.S. representatives several trade embargoes that affected South have been arrested, as well as prominent Africa. mayors, such as Detroit's Coleman Young. Conyers cites these examples of the true Jewish and labor leaders have been arrested, FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 10-16, 1985 WILLAMETTE WEEK 7 POLITICS· along with the Rev. Jesse Jackson, two of the they don't know what they're t11lking about." late Sen. Robert Kennedy's children, activist Harco Manufacturing Co., which markets Dick Gregory, and tennis star Arthur Ashe. cab pressurizers for tractors, regretted it. had One protester with great symbolic signifi been a few years since any orders had come cance has been Rosa Parks, the virtual in from South Africa. "We'd like to do founder of the U.S. civil rights movement 30 more," said a spokesperson. · years ago when she refused to give up her Mears Controls wouldn't even discuss its seat on a bus to a white person. business dealings with South Africa, al In Portland, those already arrested in though a spokeswoman admitted that sales clude Dick Celsi, chairman of the Oregon continue. "You'll have to find your story Democratic Party; Bob Baugh, treasurer of somewhere else," she said. the Oregon AFL-CIO; Ron Herndon, co Kershaw Cutlery told Willamette Week it chairman of the Black United Front; Mike doesn't "foresee any business in the future Burton, District 17 Representative, and Rep. - it has something to do with the politics" Margaret Carter, Oregon House District 18, and red tape. An example of such red tape among others. was described by Pacific Diesel, which was Although the protests that occur twice required by the U.S. Commerce Department weekly in Portland have helped draw some to get an affadavit signed by the South Afri attention to the plight of South Africa's can purchasing agent involved, stating that blacks, they have done little to enlighten the equipment it intended to export would Portlanders about the level to which eco not be used for military purposes. nomic ties exist between Oregon and South A-Dec International, a Portland firm that Africa. still sells dental equipment to South Africa, In 1981, the last year for which figures are said its exports to that country have been at available, some 49 companies in Oregon did a healthy level and "wiU continue to im business with South Africa. According to Trespassing at the consul's office prove." Said A-Dec: "We're not political in figures compiled by the International Trade any way, shape, or form. We're in the health Division of the Oregon Department of Eco 559 tons of goods entered Oregon from is continuing. care business ... we're trying to help all nomic Development, in conjunction with South African sources. In 1982 the total Audionics, a Portland company that sells mankind." the U.S. Commerce Department's Interna reached 3,185 tons, and in 1984, 4,019 tons. · power amplifiers and pre-amps, did cite po None of the companies contacted had tional Trade Administration, some $23.5 Oregon's exports to South Africa last year litical reasons for discontinuing trade re ever dealt with Van Pelt. Many responded to milJion in exports and $6 million in imports consisted mostly of soda ash, wood pulp, cently with South Africa. "We don't believe questions about his role as consul in facili moved between this state and South Africa. lumber, dried peas, and linerboard for mak in slavery," a spokesperson said. "We don't tating trade with the comment, "I never The Port of Portland has more recent fig ing cardboard. Imports were paced by iron do business with bigots." heard of him" or "Who's he?" ures, but they are on a tonnage basis. Still, ore, fabricated metal products, auto parts, Diesel Equipment Co. of Portland said they offer additional insight into how Ore and coffee during most years. equipment sales to South Africa were only a MOVES TO DIVEST gon has benefited from the Reagan Admin Tektronix, the largest employer in Ore small part of its business, amounting to only istration's friendlier attitude toward Preto gon, continues to market products to South $1,000 per year. But the company intends to But trade isn't the only stake Oregon ria. In 1983, O~egon exported 17,123 tons of Africa. Through a subsidiary, Protea, in continue. Said a Diesel Equipment spokes holds in South Africa. Investment in compa goods to South Africa, up sharply from less South Africa, Tek markets test and measure person: "It would be very refreshing to see nies that do business in that country are an than 4,000 tons the year before. By 1984, ment instruments and information-display someone write about the total picture in important part of this state's peripheral sup goods bound for South Africa that cleared · produucts. According to Tek spokeswoman South Africa - but you get these pickets port of apartheid. In a crucial decision con the Port of Portland jumped to 41,979 tons. Susan Stone, the market is not a large part that don't know. their butt from a bowling cerning this issue, a decision by the Oregon Imports have also increased. In 1980, only of her company's international trade, but it ball - well, it'~ easy to pick up a sign, but Please turn to page 8 LETTERS Continued from 4 has been an attempt to increase the number of honorary consulates in order to foster trade and tourism, to dispense information for the South African government, and to keep tabs on the anti-apartheid movement. If Mr. Van Pelt is not fulfilling his duties as a mini-ambassador for the South African government. then why does he remain consul? Absent from the article is any mention of the constant and well orchestrated lobbying efforts by the South African government to counter efforts by anti-apartheid groups in Portland. Since 1974, when Van Pelt To the editor: became honorary consul, these efforts have included: WAS GREATLY disappointed by •In 1977 a black South African I your article on Portland's South from the Los Angeles general African honorary consul. Although it consulate office was flown to Portland provides some pertinent information a week before the City Council voted on Oregon's trade with South Africa, on an anti-Krugerrand resolution. He it so narrowly construes the role of held a press conference out of the . the honorary consul that it ends up office ofT.E. Slanker (seller 1;>f portraying Van Pelt as an innocent Krugerrands) to tell the public of the bystander with little or no influence wonderful conditions for black over relations between this city and workers in South African mines. South Africa. In addition, lost in the . • In 1979, immediately after an article's sentimental approach to Van article appeared in The Oregonian · Pelt as a grandfatherly "victim" of the regarding a high school curriculum anti-apartheid movement is the packet published jointly by the central and very important issue of American Friends Service Committee legitimacy: that the mere presence, let and Portland Public Schools, alone the functions, of an honorary information on· the curriculum was consulate gives legitimacy to and sent to the South African Ambassador defends the South African in Washington, D.C., who then wrote government in its tragic course of a letter of protest to the AFSC "slow reform"- one step forward headquarters in Philadelphia. and two back. •In 1981, 1982 and 1983, when During the past several years there resolutions on divestment were before Please turn to page 7 the County Commission ·and City Council and bills were in the state Legislature, officials from the South African Information Department made timely visits to Portland and Salem to spend days feeding local public officials information from a South African government point of view. The content of the article suggests that your reporter did not question Van Pelt on his involvement in the above activities. This displays disturbing naivete not only about the way that honorary consuls function but also about the seriousness of the issue of whether or not Portland should maintain its South African connection.
Elizabeth Groff 2249 E Burnside St.
Letters directed to this page should be typewritten, double-spaced and signed. They should be addressed to: Letters to the Editor, 315 Oregon Pioneer Building, 320 SW Stark St., Portland, Ore., 97204. 8 WILLAMETTE WEEK FOR.THE WEEKOF JANUARY 10-16, 1985 / POLITICS get out of it? There is no role model to copy." . OREGON'S Van Pelt refuses to duck the most obvious question people would like to ask him - why can't a man like Bishop Tutu vote? "It's wrong that he ·can't vote. Of course, he SOUTH should be able to. Giving blacks the vote is something that has to be done. But I can't change that from this office." Van Pelt says he wants to stay on as hon orary consul both to keep the lines of com AFRICAN munication open and to avoid sending the wrong signal to countries like Japan, which are planning to develop Portland as an in ternational market. But he has said he will CONNECTION Perhaps the purest symbol of South Africa's apartheid policy not become "a martyr" for the South Afri can government, and pressure for his resig Continued from 7 . erations. are so emotional, organizers like Ave! Gord nation continues to grow. Board of Higher Education in 1977 to divest But elsewhere, the divestiture movement ley, a young woman of quiet dignity and Still, there are those who will never be South African investments from its endow is growing. Since 1982, Philadelphia, Boston, subtle energy who chairs the American mobilized by Gordley and Herndon. While ment funds was overturned last month by Washington, D.C., and New York City have Friends Service Committee's South African the protesters. shouted and marched a cou Lane County Circuit Judge George Wood passed ordinances forbidding investment of project, have had little trouble recruiting ple of weeks ago, a patron at Aldo's contin~ rich. municipal funds in South African concerns. protesters. She and Ron Herndon of the ued to sip a drink and ignore the hubbub. The board's endowment fund totals about Five states - Maryland, Massachusetts, Black United Front vow to. continue the Dressed in classic yuppie style, with a dark $20 million, and at least $7 million is in Michigan, Connecticut and Nebraska - pickets until Van Pelt resigns, and they plan suit and a foulard tie, the man put down his vested in companies that do business with have done the same thing in regard to state to target coin. shops that sell Krugerrands drink and admitted he is basically in sympa South Africa. The Oregon Investment Coun investment funds. · next. thy with the protesters. "But my protest days cil presides over the endowment fund, and it Two years ago, former Portland City Com Van Pelt is truly caught in the middle. He ·are over," he says evenly. "After you get out decided that divestiture of the funds would missioner Charles Jordan introduced a non claims progress is being made in South Af in the real world, you tend to ·stop identify be an inappropriate symbolic gesture, de binding resolution concerning divestiture, rica concerning race relations, and, with ing yourself with causes. Besides, South Af spite a vote by the Board of Higher Education which passed in the City Council. But the great passion, adds: "I can't tell you the rica is the only economy over there that to do just that. Under the "prudent investor move proved to be a largely symbolic ges changes that have occurred there. I'm a seems to be working. People over there are rule," the council said, it could not consider ture. great critic of apartheid, as are most people as well off as they're going to be." • an investment on the basis of social consid- Bec.ause issues surrounding South Africa in South Africa. My question is, how do you
THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY BPA Issue Alert Sunday Afternoon Programs PUBLIC INVITED JANUARY 13: Theosophy In Its Early Days JANUARY 20: The Doctrine of the Root Races JANUARY 27: Reincarnation . ltRllOTTAOV ~. Tt"r"'"''A,VoC:nw C'-f't..-llv_n ___ , ~nth Afric~ protests Ne~i1:Y~25o peoptejamiriediile.;idewalks outside the South African consulate in Port ·land on December 12, to call attention to '-, political detainees in South Africa and to \. January 1985 , .... ~ .. -.. Is seek to close the consuiate. D. VolumeS "'ngoing demonstrations will be con " ducted until Consul.Calvin Van Pelt resigns Number 1 his position," according to Ben Priestly, a . member ofPortlanders Organized for South African Freedom (POSAF), the.local group ··· I . which is organizing... demonstrations. Pro- . I testors sought to meet with Van Pelt ~ut were told that the consul had left for the day. I 'IWo demonstrators, Ron Herndon, co chairman of the Black United Front, and the I Rev. John Jackson, were arrested by police I for refusing to leave Van Pelt's office. The I men were charged with trespassing and were later released on their own recog nizance. :'The South African people want political power to reflect a truly democratic society not based on race," said Priestly. . Currently black South Africans have no representation in parliament, although black and Asian peoples for the vast major- . ity of the population there. Repressive laws r such as Section 27 which forbids criticism of police officers have resulted in arrests of many political, religious, and labor leaders, both black and white. POSAF protests are part of a nation wide series of demonstrations and civil dis obedience which began in Washington, D.C. earlier this fall; Arrestees so far have included Dick Gregory, Yolanda King, daughter of the Rev. Martin Luther King, I Jr., two children of the late Robert Kennedy, 'I and several members of Congress. I Rallies are scheduled every Wednesday and Friday at noon outside the honorary South African· consulate at 838 SW First · A'V. in Portland. For more information, call I.I POSAF at 230-9429. ., TN.· AJ/,' c.t.fl u.... 'f u. '(\ v, "' 'fY) I '1 6' ~ Rev. John Jackson arrested at South Africa protest, see page l ~ ·'- OR.tborJ rA1J .,onian, Monday, January 21, 1985 Section B Editorial, Forum ~ery Wednesday and Friday, beginning at noon, the National l Black United Front. and i Portlanders Organized for ~.· I Southern African Freedom ~ will demons.trate outside the g 58 cited Dayton Building, 838 SW 1st S Ave. The purpose, according to J Ave! Gordly, is to close the ~ Portland South African honorary "' decrying consulate office, to show solidari- ~ ty with political detainees, to stop I ~~· the sale of South African krug- I S. Africa gerands and to support the ii boycott of entertainers who have r». SEATTLE (AP) - Police made 58 worked in South Africa. Call arrests Sunday at an anti-apartheid 30-9427 ·or 282-1830 for more rally that organizers said drew hun dreds of people at the South .African consulate, more arrests than ·in inore than four months of weekly protests. Those arrested on trespassing charges revresented a cross-section of groups, including feminists, labor unions, peace activists and Commu nists, said Gerald Lenoir, co-chairman of the Seattle Coalition against Apart heid. They were cited and released after the largest demonstration at the consulate to date, police said. Among those arrested were Bob Santos, a candidate for the King Coun ty Council who also had been arrested in an earlier demonstration; Oscar Eason, president of the national board of Blacks in Government; and Lou Truskoff, president of the Seattle unit of the American Postal Workers Union. Police estimated the .crowd at 700 people; a newspaper reporter said there were more than 800; Lenoir said 1,200. In preceding Sunday protests that began in September, 53 people were arrested at the consulate but charges were dropped by City Attorney Doug Jewett. Recently Jewett said those ar- · rested in the future would face prose cution. At first, Jewett said his office had more _important work to do, especially domestic violence and drunken driving cases. In a letter to the editor in the combined Seattle Times and Post-Intel ligencer on Sunday, however, he wrote: Baugh arrested in S. African protest "Last week a spokesman for the Demonstration outside the office of Cal;. fusing to leave VanPelt's office. Arrested > protesters promised 100 or more tres vin VanPelt, the South African consul in with him at left is Jim Drey, a retired pass arrests for an upcoming weekend. Portland, was held to protest a~ainst the Portlander. Protest demonstrations are The rally Sunday was publicized to repressive poJJ~ies ~f the Republic of hel~ on regular basis, coordinated by the 1 coincide with the inauguration of Pres South.Africa. VanPelt represents the rac Black United Front and the Amerian e ident Reagan, which "signals four ist regime from offices of Martin Sales In Friends Service Commj.ttee. Others ar 1 more years of constructive engage- ternational Corporation in the Dayton rested have included Democratic legisla ment," quiet diplomacy designed to Building, 838 SW First Ave., Portland. · tors and party officials. In. the wake of e avoid antagonizing the government of Among the pickets is Bob Baugh, Oregon similar demonstrations nationally, the s South Africa, Lenoir said. . AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer. In photo South African government freed seven 1 "We've got a good program and below, Baugh is being led away in hand black trade unionists from prison. we'll try to get through before Super cuffs on a charge of trespassing after re- 3 Bowl," Lenoir said. Free South Africa
1 Bishop Desmond Tutu of the South African Angel Movement Growing ican Church, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, says "the The daily picketing of the South African embassy, ·, Reagan Administration's policy of constructive enga?e which is gaining momentum, is for the purpose of edu 1 ment has given a bad name to democracy. Constructive cating people, nationally and internationally, about engagement is an abomination, an unmi?gated di~e:. South Africa's apartheid system and also to bring pres For the United States to collaborate With apartheid IS sure on the South African government for complete tantamount to condoning the· internal policies of Nazi · eradication of the inhumane apartheid government, Germany or the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin.'·' and to force the Reagan·Administration to abandon its' While the Reagan Administration tries to present the South African palicy of constructive engagement. picture that it is unmoved by the demo?Slrations, for Blacks in South Africa live under severe brutal condi the tTrst time since he has been President, he had tioOS. They must carry passbooks at all times. The laws Chester Crocker brief the White House press on his prevent the ~lack South African workers from earning South African policy. Crocker said the President has the same wages as whites. Blacks who live in the little consistently said that apartheid is repugnant. Yet he has barren carved-out homelands have to leave their homes never made that known to the American people. He to work for the whites. This situation causes a separa . said that there is a process of change under way in tion of the men from their faniilies for many months. South Africa. For examples of this, he cited that edu Wives are not allowed to live with these men during cation has improved. He did not mention .that South their period of work. Blacks in South Africa are not Africa spends $95 to educate Blacks while it spends allowed to protest. $785 for Whites. Crocker said that the recent South Ip the early part of October, the · 21st battalion African constitution which granted miniscule political of the South African Defense Force was sent into the rights to the 2 million mixed citizens and denied all Black town of Soweto. On- October 2, troops again political rights to the 24 million Blacks, who are not conducted searches in four Black townships, and allowed to vote or have any part in the political process, on November 13, a large number of troops raided was progress. He made some slight indication th~t they another Black town. are doing something but he refused to say what It was. On November ~ and 6, 1 million South African He was asked why it is that the Administration gets on Blacks; predominantly made up of industrial workers, camera and speaks out about repressive treatments in ! staged a two-day strike in South Africa t
EDITORIAL/OPINION. ,, .· put S. Africa on trial / ~The refusal of District Court Judge Charles to be a violation of local laws. Clark should fol- Guinasso to grant jury trials to defendants par low the example of Seattle's Mayor Royer, who ticipating in the protest against a South African asked South Africa to close their consulate in Sonorary Consulate is equivalent to practicing the Emerald City~ . apartheid with American laws. Any promotion of South African interests is a :; The District Attorney's tactic of re-classifying promotion of Nazism. Morally, the greatest sin ftle charge of trespassing to attempted trespass is to remain silent when a crime is committed. qtg sidesteps the right·of Americans to a jury Van Pelt's business activities are a crime and he f$ial as guaranteed in our.Bill of Rights. should honor the request visitors have made - .... , I ·- The very existence of a South African Consu- resign. ij.te in Portland is criminal. He is an ambassador Justice is not for the convenience of the Judge · of inhumanity whose sole interest is to promote or the District Attorney. Their job descriptions the business interest of a country that would call for them to protect and serve the citizens ijave made Adolf Hitler proud. and not to censor, dilute or repress. .: The Judge and District Attorney are trying to We urge you to call the District Attorney, defuse a national civil rights movement that has demanding a jury trial for the "Free South Af already exploded. Since Thanksgiving Eve '84, rica" defendants. Freedom for the majority ~ civic, political and religious leaders have tres Blacks is only hours away. These minute exam passed and protested the continuing presence of . ples of tolerating oppression are against the laws South Africans in the Unit~d States. ' of humanity. Keeping the consulate open makes all of us accessories to a crime. : In Portland, the guilt or innocence of the Locally and nationally, a tidal wave of con '~Free South Africa" defendants should not be cern is drowning out the excuses for keeping decided by one person. Portlanders should learn consulates operational. The "Free South Af the statistics of slavery that affect the lives of the rica" defendants are demanding an end to the majority population. destruction of a people and the rape of the land. : We need to put South Africa on trial. The Join the winning side. Demand a jury trial for burden is on Mayor Bud Clark to put the matter · the defentlants and the resignation of South iil perspective by declaring Van Pelt's presence African Consulate Van Pelt. Rogers Cablesystems
Rogers Cablesystems of Portland 3075 NE Sandy Boulevard Portland, OR 97232 (503) 230-2099
January 8, 1985 Avel GordlY A.F.S.C. 2249 E. Burnside Portland, OR 97204 . Dear Ms. Gordly:
On the January 15th edition of 11 NE Spectrum, 11 our topic for live call-in discussion will be an update on the national Free South Africa Movement and the Free South Africa activities here in Portland. As per our discussions, could A.F.S.C./P.O.S.A.F. provide three panelists for the discussion? As the P.O.S.~.F. representative to the recent national conference in Washington D.C., your partic ipation would certainly enhance our program. Participants should be at the 31st Street .Programming door by 7:30 p.m. We go live at 8:00 p.m. The program is, at present, scheduled for one hour. A written response is not necessary; a confirming phone call will suffice. Thank you for your assistance. y:~~~~~ Arthur S. Alexander Coordinator, BCTV Ch. 23
AA:CC FREE SOUTH AFRICA MOVEMENT
ORGANIZERS' MEETING , JANUARY 5, 1985
1:00PM~ Welcome and Opening Remarks-- Mr• Randall Robinson Con. Walter Fauntroy Dr. Mary Berry
1:45PM- National Coordinatiori of TransAfrica Staff and Krugerrand and Consulate Demos Organizers and Divestment efforts
2:30PM- Timeline for Protests and -- TransAfrica Staff Legislation ·
2:45PM - Special Events for Consideration -- Mr. Randall Robinson
3:00PM - Questions and Concerns -- Organizers
3:45PM- Closing Remarks -- Steering Committee Members AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITfEE PACIFiC NORTHWEST REGION Contacts: Avel Gordly POFrn AI'\D AR£4 PROGRAM OFFICE Elizabeth Groff 2249 East Burnside Street· Portland, Oregon 97214-1678 . January 25, 1985
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. Investments in South Africa
Bob Smith, U.S. Representative from Burns, Oregon has just returned from a tour of Southern Africa sponsored by the South Africa Foundation. The South Africa Foundation is a semi~independent group of businessmen who work closely with the South A£rican Department of Information to promote South Africa as a stabl~ and profitable field for investment. Although there are no formal ties between the foundation and the government, there are many informal ties between it and the Departments of Information and Finance. The foundation and the Department of Information are known to cooperate at every level. · 1H~ fouridation was est~blished in 1960, soon after the Sharpeville Massacre, to restore overseas confidence in South Africa. One of the foundation's main activities is sponsoring visitors to South Africa. It frequently provides expense-paid trips to influential and hopefully susceptible visitors, guiding them with much skill and exposing them to just enough opposition opinion for the pro-government pitch tb seem honest and candid.
Public Debate on U.S. Investments Recent deomonstrations by the Free South Africa Movement and rium~~ous anti-apartheid groups around the country, along with pending .legislation at the national and state levels, have put the question of U.S. investment~ in the forefront of public debate on South Africa. This increased attention to South Africa has also brought an increase in activity on the part of the South African government-and its lobbies. The government and its closely affiliated private lobbying foundations spend millions of dollars annually to counter divestment and other efforts aimed at bringing pressure on the South African govern~ent. Rep. Bob Smith's.all expenses paid South A£rica Foundation tour is an example of such lobbying.
American Friends Service Committee Findings The AFSC has been engaged in issues of Southern Africa for over three decades. ·It sent a multi-racial fact-finding delegation to South Africa and front-line states ~n 1980. That group met with a broad range of community, church, government and business people - some working to change the system and ~thers working to maintain the status quo. Since then, individuals have traveled to South Africa, facilitating a constant exchan"e of information. These exhanges have resulted in the following findings:
PEACE EDUCATION PROGRAM- (503) 230-9427 COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAM- (503) 230-9429 • ·' -2- AFSC Press Release "U.S. Investments"
1.) When the· argument is made that Blacks in South Africa will suffer first and most from economic sanctions or corporate withdrawal, one must first of all listen to who.is making the argument. For example, one of .the black South AfricanSfrequently quoted as a critic of apartheid but in favor of continued investments is Chief Gatsha Buthelezi. As chief of the Kwazulu "homeland'' and employee of the South African government, he can hardly be considered an objective observer. Numerous other black South Africans who are not beholden to the government, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Bishop Tutu and Dr. Allan Boesak, president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, have spoken out in favor of economic pressure on the government.
2.) Less then 1% of all black South African are employed by U.S. companies. The great majority of black South Africans are so far outside the mainstreu economy that they would be marginally affected by corporate withdrawal. As one black South African woman put it, "When you are already lying on the floor, y9u don't have far to fall."
3.) The purpose of divestment actions is not to create "economic chaos" in South Africa. It is widely recognized that it would take considerable amount of corporate withdrawal and time for the economy·to be disrupted in any real way. The purpose of economic sanctions of any kind is to send a strong, clear message to the South African government that it must beg~n riow to negotiate with the legitimate black leaders (Nelson Mandela and others who have been imprisoned for years)of the disenfranchized majority,. both on the. grievances which have prompted school boycotts and outbreaks of violence, as well as the ongoing denial of power-sharing to the black majority.
Schlemmer Report
A widely discussed survey conducted among black South African factory workers published in September 1984 needs to be closely examined. According to the survey, conducted by Professor Lawrence Schlemmer of the University of Natal (also president of the South African Institute of Race Relations) 75% of the 551 workers questioned said they disagreed with a strategy of disinvestment and 41% said that such a policy would harm blacks. It is important to·note: · The sur7ey was funded by the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, Herman Nickel. The Institute of Race Relations, a group that opposes the policies of apartheid, has now disassociated itself from the report.
Any personr black or white, expressing ~pproval of disinvestment faces the minimu~ of 5 years in prison under South African law. All those surveyed were industrial workers and stoqd to· ·lose their jobs. In addition, the survey was not conducted through anonymous questionnaires, but by face-to-face interviews which meant full identification. These investments are attractive to off racism. The city of Eugene has our businesSes because money is saved urged jewelers to stop selling the kru Oregon's role by paying rock bottom wages. Em gerrand. The Multnomah County ployers dream of paying wages be Council has called on the state to in apartheid ' tween 100 and 300 dollars a month in cut its ties to South Africa. Numerous this country. In South Africa it is a churches and unions have taken in-' reality. vestments out of companies in South by Marcus Cheatham Many Oregonians and the Oregon Africa. But these are non-binding The extent of Oregon's economic State government own stock in com resolutions. When it comes to real relations with South Africa, ·and· this panies that operate in South Africa action Oregon drags its feet. In each state's stubborn refusal to recognize for the same reason. Owners of stock of the last three sessions of the state and deal with this problem are shock in North West Bancorp should be legislature bills were defeated which ing. Compared with many other states . aware that it owns part of :Norwest would have taken Oregon's pension Oregon appears backward. Our Corporation with 2.5 million dollars fund out of South Africa. Divest powerful business lobby, including, .. in loans to South Africa. Widely ment, as it is called, is a safe and the Treasurer's office and the Hon- held Western Bank is owned by First powerful way of saying no to racism . "orary-Sou.th African consul Calvin Interstate Bancorp, mentioned ear- which has worked well in a number ~Van Peit. squa-sh efforts aX.cutting ·.: lier ..The. worst-offender is our own of other states. Like other universi links ~ith the world's most racist 'state government. It invests 20 to 25 ties across the country, Oregon col~ society. Oregon is even a source for percent of our state pension fund, lege students and the State Board "military aid" to apartheid. PERS, in companies that operate in of Higher Education voted to take Many OregQn banks provide South South Africa. If you are a state em their endowment funds out of South Africa with loans needed to import ployee that means your pension fund Africa, but the Attorney General and the oil and technology essential for · is used to support apartheid. The circuit court have ruled that they survivaL Banks li~~ the Bank. of State Board of Higher Education also can't do it. They say it's not "pru Boston and Rainier Bank ha~e made invests its endowment funds in com dent." such loans. One of the worst offend .panie5 in South Africa. If this makes you mad, there is ers is SeaFirst; a division of Bank of . Forty to fifty Oregon manufac plenty you can do. Take your money America. It has loaned nearly 300 turers and traders get in on the act. out of banks that loan to South Af million dollars to South Africaand · .Dozens of Oregon jewelers import rica. Don't buy from companies that it owns controlling interest in So1,1th and sell the krugerrand, a South invest in or trade with South Africa. West Africa Bank in the heart of · African gold coin made so attrac Talk to your co-workers and church Namibia's pillaged diamond fields .. . tively inexpensive because African members to find out if your pension First Interstate. Bank is apr()bleni~ miners are paid only 200 dollars a fund or church invests in companies too~ Although it has not made loans, month and work in unsafe conditions. that do business with South Africa. it is partly owned by Bank of Amer Oregon's D. D. Moore is a leading It's easy. Most of the information for ica, one of ,South Africa,.s best importer of South African precious this article came from The Unified friends. :: ' ,. ·., · ·.stones. And here is where we come List of U.S. Companies in South It is estimated that· the U.S. is · to Oregon's "military aid." Accord Africa and Namibia published by the South Africa's leading supplier of ing to International Exporters /984 Pacific Northwest Research Center in . goods and services, so h is no sur the Lawrence George Company on Eugene. As more and more Oregon prise that a number of Oregon busi Southwest 1st ha been selling hol ians find out just how much this nesses invest there. Teledyne owns 18 sters, scabbards,.and rifle sling~ to state supports apartheid pressure to percent of. Occidental Petroleum South Africa, and Michael's of Ore cut the links grows. whose South African subsidiaries gon Company on Northwest Glisan include fertilizer and machinery com has exported gun components to the . panies. Hewlett Packard has 270 apartheid state. They are led by Pre Marcus Cheatham is a member of employees in South Africa and pro cision Cast parts, however, part of Portlanders Organized for Southern vides the regime -with over 38 million whose 20 million dollars in interna African Freedom (POSAF), a local dollars in high technology compon tional sales of aircraft parts has gone multi-racial citizens actions group ents with clear military applications. to. South Africa under Ronald Rea that supports Black majority rule in Oregon's Ca'Scade Corporation also _gan's constructive engagement policy. Southern Africa and an end to U.S. - has a plant hi South Africa which Oregonians have not stood by while support for apartheid. For more in makes forklift attachments .. their brothers and sisters made money formation ca/123()..9427. OB.f~~~ J-t..J-J>s- QN_SQUTH AFRICA
is old news: over 70o/o of the popula to be at cross purposes: real democra- 'i .. Democratic" tion is relegated to 13% of the most cy poses a mortal threat to exploi useless land; these same people tation. double standards Black South Africans - have no Unlike the restrained optimism the by Bill Bigelow vote, cannot live where they wish and U.S. expressed for elections in South can be imprisoned simply for speak Last August elections were held in Africa, which excluded over 70% of ing out against this oppression. the potential electorate, continuous South Africa. Just over two months What's new are the recent elec later Nicaraguans went to the polls. vitriolic attacks have been heaped on tions. For the first time, all so-called How the U.S. government responded Nicaragua's elections. This, despite Colored and Indian South Africans to these two events tells us a lot about the fact that no Nicaraguan of voting were allowed to vote. The South Afri what is genuinely behind U.S. foreign age was excluded, and political parties can government's goal was trans policy. of all persuasions were allowed-even parent: divide and rule. Split off siz We are all familiar with Reagan, encouraged-to campaign. able numbers of Indians and Coloreds Shultz, and company's denunciation and the potential non-white alliance The Nicaraguan revolution has of the Nicaraguan elections. They were a "sham", a "phony", a tactic to would be dealt a severe blow. shifted state resources to programs to solidify the iron grip of the Sandi Sound "democrat.ic'''? The U.S. benefit the majority of the people: State Department ate It up. 1 ne1r nistas in their "totalitarian dungeon." health clinics, literacy programs, But what of South Africa's elections? argument was as simple as it was day care centers. Land has been re wrong: more people voting - more According to the State Department, distributed and workers offered new rights and encouragement. The econ these represented a move toward democracy. The reality was .the opposite - omy would still have to be considered "decisive political change." Our lead "successful" elections, in w'hich Col capitalist, but owners' prerogatives ers quietly lamented the exclusion of oreds and Indians enthusiastically em are limited and profit is no longer the South Africa's Black majority from braced their newly-bestowed suffrage, the voting, but expressed hope that sole criterion for production. would have crippled the real move the electons would accelerate the ment towards democracy by giving process of change. In short, it is the investment cli What is it, really, that determines them a stake irt an undemocratic sys mate in Nicaragua that is gloomy, tem and pitting them against the ma whether the U.S. responds to an elec not necessarily the prospects for jority, extra-electoral opposition. tion in another country with congrat democracy. (As it was, over 80% of the Coloreds ulations or threats of annihilation? Nicaragua, one of the smallest, and Indians chose to boycott the Our government consistently burps poorest, and -least developed coun elections rather than be co-opted.) out rhetoric about "democracy". tries in Latin America, is no big loss Let's take them at their word. What is Don't U.S. rulers see through this for U.S. capitalism. But the possi democracy? Patricia Kullberg, in an sham? Of course they do. They fully bility that bigger fish, such as El Sal insightful article in the November is support this process of democracy vador, Guatemala, or - God forbid sue of Central American Update, avoidance. For a clue as to why, one -Chile, might follow its lead and argues that at the very least it means might note that direct U.S. investment take control of their own economic "that the people have equal political in South Africa has gone from $140 destinies is a chilling thought. power and the capacity to use it." So million to over $2.5 billion in the last The U.S. government's slander of cieties in which few people decide 25 years. It's no wonder: profit rates Nicaragua's elections was as inevit who will have work and who won't, in South Africa through most of this able as was its glorification of the what crops will be grown, and what period were twice what they were in South A(rican balloting. Ultimately, goods manufactured, is not demo the United States. Continuing injus these decisions stem from economic cratic -·even though the powerful tice in South Africa does-n't hurt U.S. consideations not from a lust for and powerless may be "equal" when economic interests; it helps. worldwide democracy. We should they arrive at the ballot box. It's obscene, but true: the U.S. recognize the deeper roots of U.S. Nicaragua is attacked. South Afri feigns a concern for democracy to policy. However incomplete and still ca is applauded. How does the Ad mask its actual goal - a safe and undefined, the Nicaraguan experi ministration decide? profitable investment climate. The ment challenges the domination of South Africa's racist social system problem is that these two goals tend U.S. economic control.