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2-28-1991

Resist Newsletter, Feb. 1991

Resist

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Recommended Citation Resist, "Resist Newsletter, Feb. 1991" (1991). Resist Newsletters. 231. https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/resistnewsletter/231 Inside: Erik Larsen, GI Resister

Newsletter #233 A Call to Resist Illegitimate Authority February, 1991

ELAINE BERNARD '{EA',)T'S CALLED DEMCCRACY. I Even if you carefully followed the media this past summer and fall, most Americans heard very little about a rather remarkable election just after Labor Day. Canada's social democratic labor party, the New Democratic Party (NDP), won a surprising provincial election victory in the industrial heartland, Ontario. This first ever NDP government in Ontario has and union staff. It rather fits the real mean­ Premier Bob Rae rejected the far fetched national significance and marks a dramatic ing of the description, "for the people, by attempts to link his government with the altering of the political landscape in the people." Not a banker in their midst, failed regimes in Eastern Europe. "Like Canada. and only seven lawyers, as one Canadian millions of others around the world," Ontario is unquestionably Canada's economist lamented. commented Rae, "I have cheered the tri­ most important province, accounting for In light of the significance of the umph of popular democracy in Eastern more than one third of the population and election of a social democratic govern­ Europe. But I refuse to interpret those producing close to half the country's GNP. ment directly north of New York, Michi­ astonishing events as a vindication of While the NDP has won provincial gan and Minnesota, it is interesting to note capitalism, or a repudiation of anything I elections in Western Canada, governing at the silence in this country. While proudly would call democratic socialism." Small different times the provinces of Saskatch­ proclaiming the fall of "socialist" govern­ wonder the US media would prefer to ewan, Manitoba, British Columbia and men ts from Prague to Managua, the ignore Rae and the NDP victory. currently the Yukon, the Ontario victory national media prefers to keep people in In Ontario and the rest of Canada, the has made the party a serious contender for the U.S. in the dark about the rising popu­ media could hardly ignore this election power nationally at a time of growing larity of a democratic socialist alternative victory. But in this case the game is uncertainty and crisis within the country. in Canada. The newspaper of record, the slightly different. The Canadian media Of the 74 Members of the Provincial New York Tunes, for example, did not even immediately attempted to undermine the Parliament that make up the newly-elected mention the election victory until almost a mandate of the new government by NDP government, 27 are trade union month later. The Wall Street Journal, on suggesting that its election reflects "a activists and 20 are women. They are steel the other hand, quickly queried the intelli­ simple, unfocused, protest vote." Echoing workers, teachers, auto workers, hospital gence of Ontarian voters asking if "they a similar trend attributed to U.S. voters, workers, communications workers, pulp get their news from Eastern Europe by dog the Canadian media argued that the workers, public employees from sled?" Ontario election did not reflect a vote for municipal, provincial and federal agencies, Back in Ontario, the newly elected continued on page two continued from page one political system where governments have the NDP, but a vote against the Liberals. the power to call elections before their Have you seen our new Rae and the New Democrats rejected this term runs out, politicians are often brochure? analysis arguing that "it was an election ... tempted to go to the polls while things not a sneak attack." look good. Our new brochure will be going attempting to label the election a In At the beginning of the summer, out to about 90,000 people over the protest vote, the media is seeking to under­ Peterson had the highest voter approval next few months. (We're looking mine the party's mandate for change. In a rating of any government in Canada, over to pick up between 500-1000 new remarkable editorial in Canada's national 50%. The NOP was trailing far behind Resist supporters.) Many of you will weekly magazine, Maclean's, entitled with 26% of the vote, and the Conserva­ probably get a copy in the mail, by "The Road To Anarchy," editor Kevin tives, burdened by their association with being on one or more of the lists Doyle linked the Ontario election to a the highly unpopular Conservative federal we will be renting/trading. The general malaise throughout the country. government, were behind the NOP. But, reality is, it's much cheaper to take Quoting Yale political scientist Robert though there were two years left in his the chance of sending out duplicate Dahl, anarchy is explained as "a society term, Peterson decided on a summer mailings than it is to use the consisting only of purely voluntary election. He did this because, with a expensive computer technology associations, a society without a state." scandal over a Liberal fundraiser's misuse necessary to purge the lists of Canadians, Doyle tells us, "feel they can of charitable donations for political duplicates. So, after you've looked now protect their own interests better than influence about to go to court, and Ontario it over, why not pass it along to a governments can and, in fact, that about to enter a recession, he was betting friend who isn't familiar with our government, in the traditional sense, is no on another five year mandate before things work? Thanks. longer necessary." This he assures us, "is turned sour. not anarchy - but it is an exceptionally From his first election press serious concern." In the post Cold War conference, which was disrupted by activ­ period, when anti-communism does not ists from Greenpeace, to failed attempts at appear to worlc its old magic, the specter redbaiting during the last few days of the of anarchism has been resurrected in an campaign when the NOP had surged attempt to frighten an increasingly poli­ ahead of the Liberals in the polls, the five­ tically active citizenry. week election was a tribute to the popular In a good sense, the warning about movements and a disaster for Peterson. the "threat" of "voluntary associations" The growing dissatisfaction with the replacing the state is not as off-the-wall as Ontario Liberals and Peterson was not it might first appear. In the case of the because they were a particularly bad or Ontario victory, the popular movements irresponsible government by recent stand­ and voluntary associations, including ards. In fact, through an accord with the unions, environmentalist, women's NDP in the mid 1980s, they had passed organizations, native people, minorities, some progressive legislation. But they and people of color, all contributed to the were the first government caught in the demise of the provincial Liberal govern­ growing political awareness and opposi­ ment. One hopes that the many activists tion developing in Canada since the who have been elected as part of the new passage of the Canada/U.S. Free Trade government will maintain their links to the Agreement and the failed attempt at popular movements, and insist that the constitutional restructuring proposed in the public policy of the new government Meech Lake accord ILLEGITIMATE AUTHORITY strengthen and expand the role of grass­ Fu,,,"-""' (,o1:4-,J cltMtge. "'1ee /'67 roots movements so vital to social trans­ Debating the Social Contract For information and grant guidelines write lo: Resist, One Summer St ., Somenille, MA 02143 fonnation. Ongoing public debates throughout the country over the last few years have The Resist Newsletter i5 published ten Peterson Missed a Bet forced Canadians into a far ranging dis­ times a year by Resist, Inc., One Summer Street, Somerville, MA 02143. (617) When the Liberal government of cussion about the nature of their society, 623-5110. The views expressed in articles. David Peterson called a summer election social programs, the constitution, econo­ other than editorials, are those of the in Ontario, no one, including the NOP, mic treaties, and indeed, the social con­ authors and do not necessarily represent expected such a dramatic conclusion. tract that underlies Canadian society. From the opinions of the Resi st staff or board. Peterson had lead the Liberals (the left of the continuing discussion of Free Trade center party of business) in two other and its implications for the economy, Resi st Staff: Nancy Wechsler Nancy Moniz provincial election campaigns, first kick­ through the Meech Lake Accord and the Tatiana Schreiber ing out the Progressive Conservatives (the restructuring of the Canadian state, to the right of center party of business) who had dramatic 3-month Native barricade at Oka, Typeselling: Wayne Curtis ruled the province for 42 years, and then Quebec, (spurred by anger over decades of Gay Community News in a subsequent election in 1987 winning a government indifference to the indigenous Printing: Red Sun Press O "' Printed on Recycled Paper decisive majority. But in a parliamentary continued on page seven

Page Two Resist Newsletter February, 1991 It Just Opened My Eyes ... GI Resister Lance Corporal Erik Larsen has told the Marine Corps Reserve that if ordered to the Gulf, he will refuse. For the last sev­ eral months, he has been speaking around the country and the world about GI resistance to the Gul/War.

ERIKLARSEN

Throughout my whole childhood I had this feeling of duty or service to my com­ munity and country. That's one thing the Boy Scouts really stresses, being an active citizen. I announced at my Eagle Scout ceremony that I had joined the Marines and one of the people who was a speaker at my ceremony was my recruiter, who was my old Cub Scout master when I was nine or ten. He was a gunnery sergeant and had three or four tours in 'Nam and was pretty highly decorated: pwple heart. If I hadn't met him, I probably wouldn't be in the Marines - he was a real strong influence. After I had finished all my active­ duty, I started looking back on some of my experiences, and I just couldn't believe some of the things I would do, or the things I said. Like there's this one song we would sing on our daily five miles: "Rape the town and kill the people, that's the thing we love to do. Rape the town and kill the people, that's the thing we want to do. Throw some napalm on the school­ house, watch the kiddies scream and shouL Rape the town and kill the people, that's the thing we love to do." Or, "Na­ palm, napalm sticks like glue, sticks the mommas and the poppas and the kiddies "Hey, can I have a quarter, I need a taxi to what the reality of what my government too." Alot about gooks and ragheads. I was get back to the base." I managed to fill up practices, it just opened my eyes and I in boot camp around the time that we had their cup. As I was doing that I was think­ began to really dislike being a part of the bombed Libya. ing, "Why wouldn't Gls give money to service. From boot camp I went to electronics these people or why aren't we treating At school I won an election for stu­ school at Ft. Bliss, Texas. We would go these people a little bit better?" dent body trustee, so I got interviewed by down to Juarez, Mexico, get drunk and I went back to school after active a local reporter. Instead of talking to me beat the shit out of the "spies." One night duty. One of my first classes was on about issues and stuff about the college, he in particular I just kind of got tired of that Central American history and this blew concentrated on my being a Marine. That whole scene, so I wound up on the bridge my mind. I couldn't believe that the was a time when the Iran/Contra affair between the U.S. and Mexico. There are Marines, the organization I was with, had was really big in the press. I told him what always some little kids there begging for been responsible for a hundred years of I thought about our history in Central money. It was drizzling that night, so they U.S. policies gone awry- U.S. policies America and the big quote that appeared were in their Hefty bags and they had that weren't in the interest of other people in the paper was, "Just because you're a shorts and sandals on and that's it. You'd - and how we were encouraging torture Marine, doesn't mean you have to believe see all the American Gls returning from and death squads. I had learned a script what Oliver North believes." So at my the whorehouses, the bars and discos, and about how to be a good person, I had these next Marine drill weekend that article had the kids weren't getting any money. So I real moral ideas about serving humanity in been blown up and copied, and it was took the kids' cup and I'd ask the Gls, general. But when I began to learn exactly continued on page four

#233 Resist Newsletter Page Three Larsen continued from page three plastered on Coke machines, in the bath­ Home is a War Zone Americans to strip for these room,on bulletin boards. My face was searches, without even moving to a made a target for a dart board. I got the Free My People, a youth leadership private location to do so.) message that I wasn't supposed to have organization in Boston, sent Resist this statement, which was prepared for a • U.S. military involvement in trans­ said that, and I wasn't supposed to have porting thousands of tons of cocaine spoken out and told the truth. Speak Out on 'The War At Homeffhe War in the Middle East" on the occasion of into this country - cocaine is I was in an interdisciplinary program chemical warfare against our Martin Luther King Jr. 's birthday. We are at school that concentrates on the classics. people; I started to try to make connections pleased to have the opportunity to reprint between Antigone and other books, and the statement here. It is youth who have • the giant banks launder billions of what's special about Antigone is that it first the most at stake and the most to lose in dollars of drug money - a practice introduced me to the idea of "Who am I the war in the Middle East. If our anti-war without which the drug trade could ultimately responsible to? Myself or the mo\lement here is to be effective, it is not exist; state, or am I responsible to a higher essential that we not only understand the "war at home" being waged againt youth, • police officials in many cities are authority?" One of the lines in the play is: implicated in the overseeing of drug "Honor is given that man or woman who but that we take concrete, substantive actions to resist it. operations and the selling of AK.47s obeys the laws of God." Shortly after that I and Uzi submachine guns in the started reading Archbishop Romero. In his inner-city. last speech before he was killed by a death squad, he addressed Salvadoran soldiers, There is a war against the people of • the commonness of violence is the saying something to the effect, "In the Boston's inner-city today. There is a war efflux of this war, and women and name of God you must stop this repression being waged against people of color, children are the most unprotected in the face of another man's order to kill. against women and children, against poor targets. You must obey laws of God." I began to and working people, against the African­ American and Latino communities of question, "If, as a soldier, I am part of this U.S. War Against Middle East People Boston. The war begins with: machine that is a perpetrator of human is War Against Us. rights abuses, who should I really be • the centuries-old domination of At the same time that the Bush listening to, myself, or God's laws: human native, African and Latino peoples Administration amasses $37 billion of our rights?" by the United States; tax. money to wage war in the Middle East When I started to see that we were • endemic discrimination leading to • in order to go to college, Black and getting involved in another war, I decided mass unemployment, sub-standard Latino youth have to get federal to speak out before it was too late. In education, slum housing and abys­ money, whether through loans, August 19'JO, I informed the military that I mally inadequate health care; ROTC or the Reserves, each of would refuse to be sent to Saudi Arabia if which makes them eligible to be I was called. • • the forcing of whole populations, shipped off to the sand in Saudi especially women and youth, into Arabia; This statement by 23-year-old Marine underemployment in service jobs for reservist Erik Larsen was edited from an the dominant White population. • mass unemployment leads to an interview conducted by Willa Seidenberg The "War on Drugs" is part of the war "economic draft." The Urban and Bill Short as an update for the project against our people. It has meant: League estimates that 38 % of the A Matter of Conscience: Resistance soldiers sent to Saudi Arabia are of Within the U.S. Military During the Viet­ • a virtual occupation of our neighbor­ color. nam War. Larsen has a newsletter, Gls for hoods by a hostile local and state • the experience of Vietnam, and the Peace. To subscribe, write P.O. Box police and national guard, alien to reality that "back line" technicians 42488, San Francisco, CA 94-142. the community, and trained to wage "the war on drugs" against us; and officers are almost exclusively White, make it plain that, as the • the large number of undereducated dying escalates, over 50% of the and unemployed youth treated as body bags will contain women and criminals who need to be repressed men of color, Latinos and Blacks through "stop and search, boot especially. Empowerment journalism for camps, and prison. (ed. note: in the New England movements for Boston, the city and police depart­ • anti-Arab violence inside the U.S nonviolent social change. Monthly ment have supported a "stop and has reached such a pitch that it is since 1972. Subscriptions $8/year search" policy which allows police affecting all people of color, who, ($12 by first class mail) from~ broad discretion in stopping youth even in the most remote way, work. American Friends Service whom they suspect to be gang mem­ resemble Arabs. Committee, 2161 Mass. Ave., Cam­ bers carrying weapons. Local Black bridge, MA 02140. Sample free. activists and civil rights watch-dogs War means futher monopoly have charged that police have gone of wealth and power. so far as to force young African- U.S. imperialist war always results in

PageFow Resist Newsletter February, 1991 a leap in the centralization and concen­ tration of capital (wealth and power) into fewer and fewer hands. Therefore, while the military industry and the Pentagon are paid $37 billion to dominate Arabs in the Middle East (also benefiting the oil · companies): • Bush vetoes the Civil Rights Bill; • Bush's negro, Michael Williams, denies people of color the right to federal scholarships for college; • African-American infant mortality ranks 47th in the world behind many colonial and neo-0>lonial nations in Asia, Africa and Latin America; • AIDS scourges our communities. If it is a man-made virus, AIDS con­ stitutes chemical/biological war­ fare agaimt our peoples; Speak Out on the war at home/the war In the Middle East, organl7.ed by Free My People. Photo: FJlen Shub • New York City had 2,000 homicides in 1990; the vast majority of the victims Latino and African­ American; Boston had 150. RESISTANCE INFO Education for Liberation We at Resist, like m~t peace and justi~ organizations, have been receiving phone We must respond to the war by calls from people who want to know how to resist a renewed draft, or how to gain educating and mobilizing our people in an Conscientious Objector status. Here are the phone numbers of groups that can help: unremitting struggle for liberation and self-determination. Free My People has In the Boston area: National Lawyers Guild Military Law Boston Alliance Against Registration Task Force, P.O. Box 33544, San Diego, been studying the Palestinian liberation Draft, P.O Box 2406, CA 92163, (619) 233-1701. movement and we must learn from the and the spirit, strategy and tactics of the Intifada Cambridge, MA 02238, (617) 354-0931. American Friends Service Committee (uprising). 1501 Cherry St, Philadelphia, PA, , The forces that made up the "main­ National. Organizations: Central Committee for Conscientious 19102, (215) 241-7176. stream" of the anti-Vietnam War move­ Objectors (CCCO), ment - White, middle class - must not 2208 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146, National Interreligious Service Board for repeat the mistakes of the sixties. Today's (215) 545-4626. C.O.s, lf,01 Conn. Ave, NW, #750, anti-war movement must be committed to P.O. Box 42249, San Francisco, CA Wash., D.C., 20009, (202) 483-4510. ending the war against the oppressed of 94142, (415) 552-6433. the United States. Committee Opposed to Militarism and A common strategy must be devel­ War Resisters League, 339 Lafayette St, the Draft, P.O. Box 15195, San Diego, oped which takes up campaigns to: New York, NY 10012 (212) 228-0450. CA 92175, (619) 753-7518, 272-5718. demand reparations from those downtown banks proven to be involved in drug money laundering; transfer money from the war chest to the education, housing and health care chests; gain employment Get Your Queer JIM BROWN, KAY DIAZ, at the large construction projects in the MARY ANN KOPYDLOWSKI, city for people from our communities; Selves into this TATIANA SCHREIBER gain community control over AIDS Movement! research to end this form of chemical and We are writing as a newly-formed affi­ biological warfare; and establish commu­ Resist received this letter which was nity group, Queer to the Left, urging the nity control over the military in our neigh­ sent to national lesbian and gay media, gay, lesbian and bisexual community to borhoods. urging gay progressives to join anti-war oppose U.S. war in the Middle :East. We efforts. (Though one of the writers is this approach our participation in the anti-war "I won't die for the price of gas. newsletter editor, the piece does not movement from dual sensibilities. Yq, Uncle Sam, you can km my ass!" necessarily reflect the opinions oj the One is our moral outrage (as adults -graffiti in downtown Boston Resist staff or board ... ) who ought to know better) at President continued on page six

#233 Resist Newsletter Page Five Queer Left continued from page five Bush's willingness to sacrifice the lives of same media - that silence us, label us intervention movements. Let's liven up the thousands of US soldiers, as well as the defective, censor us, criminalize our anti-war movement with some gay camp, countless numbers of Arabs and others sexuality, harass us, discriminate against some lesbian subversiveness and some who already have died and will die in the us and, finally, kill us - are responsible bisexual bridging! catastrophic war that has begun. Bush's for whipping up the current war frenzy. Speaking of bridges, you probably apparent fervor for war, above and beyond They do this by demonizing, degrading know that there are at least two national that of any other country participating in and disregarding the lives of all those who coalitions protesting U.S. intervention in the multi-national forces, subverts true are different the Gulf. Because the two groups could democracy here at home. We would not trust an anti-war not agree on one date for a national march, We believe that the war is neither movement which would ignore, either two separate marches had to be held on about protecting democracy in the Middle deliberately or by oversight, the realities of January 19th and 26th, potentially East, n91" about oil, but about U.S. control our lives. Rather than defer to a narrow weakening the movement overall. The over the region. The war has "conven­ agenda designed to avoid controversy, we bottom line is mobilization against war iently" dashed any hopes for a peace propose to expand the vision of the peace and the senseless devastation of life and dividend or, in fact, a peace economy that movement to reflect our own experience the environment. Don't let disunity would be based on providing for the health and that of everyone who lacks the power between the groups paralyze you. We are and well-being of all people. and resources to define the dominant certain a peace movement will only We also participate in the movement culture. That culture is created by an succeed if it fights the war at home and the as lesbians and gay men who have been actual minority of people. If we incor­ war abroad simultaneously. Get your fighting for our own liberation and that of porated into our vision the aspirations of queers selves into this movement!! • other marginalized communities. We will those without homes, without jobs, not be invisible within this DMCent anti­ without adequate health care, without The writers are lesbian and gay activists war movement! We demand this, not to food, without education, and without living in the Boston area who are plan­ be divisive, but because we know that an freedom of expression (including sexual ning anti-war actions and educating them­ inclusive movement is a stronger move­ and cultural self-determination), we'd have selves about the Middle East. For more ment. And we are in this for the long haul. a vision worth fighting for. information about the group, contact We remember the words of Simon Gay liberation is one of the strongest Mary Ann Kopydlowski, at (617) 524- Nkoli, a Black gay South African activist movements of the day. We have taken 62()(), or Kay Diaz at (617) 983-5422. fighting for the liberation of that country. great strides. We still have so· much more When he decided to come out to fellow work to do. Unfortunately, war is upon us, "I won't pay for murder in the Middle anti-apartheid activists, he thought to and we are setting aside some of our work ~t, when I can get it at home for free." himself, "What will people think if they to help stop it. Gay people have histor­ -posters b.y Abe Rybeck and know I'm a gay person? I better fight ically been central to all movements for Read Weaver recently appearing against apartheid in a hidden way." But social change; indeed, past peace and non- in Boston with a pink triangle then he realired the danger in that line of and peace symbol thinking. People would ask, "What did you do to bring about change in this country, where were you during the battle?" Nkoli said that it would be foolish to answer, "We were with you, but we didn't want you to know that we were there." When people say, "Where were you when it was time to stop this war?" we want to say: We were there, side-by-side with those peoples of the Middle East working to protect their right to self­ determination ( which does not mean supporting artificial lines drawn in the sand by British and French diplomats who carved up the region after WWI to serve their own commercial interests). We are here, and we are not hidden, because we know what it feels like to be isolated, just when you need solidarity the most We are here because we do not sepa­ rate the U.S. war against us from its foreign wars. The same elites: the same President, the same Supreme Court, the military, same the same big business, the Queer to the Left at the D.C. anti-war demonstration January 26th.

Page Six Resist Newsletter February, 1991 Ontario continued from page two people's demand for settlement of land citizens, not simply to create an environ­ Despite the fact that Canadians have claims and self-government) many of the ment within which business can prosper. enjoyed a comprehensive national health fundamental assumptions of Canadian This is the essence of the NDP's social care system for close to thirty years (first society are now undergoing significant democratic approach, and it appears to introduced at the provincial level by· an change. have found new and fertile ground in the NOP government) and that there is a The Meech Lake accord, which had summer election in Ontario. strong tradition of "public ownership" in been cooked up by the ten provincial pre­ According to NDP campaign strate­ many sectors of the economy including miers and the prime minister, sought to gists, Peterson was "caught out" He knew the media, insurance, and (in some prov­ bring the Francophone province of Quebec bad times were approaching, but had inces) even financial services, proposing into the Canadian constitutional fold by judged that the recession would hit in the public enterprise as a viable alternative to recognizing Quebec as a "distinct society," fall. But many working people were free market forces is still an uphill battle. and extending to all provinces extensive already hurting by the summer. According But, overall, Canadians have remained rights which would make universal to the Canadian Labor Congress, for more sympathetic to universal comprehen­ national programs, so cherished in example, over 150,000 jobs have been lost sive programs and public enterprise than Canada, very difficult, if not impossible in in Canada because of the Canada/U .S. Americans. the future. In addition, the Meech Lake Free Trade agreement, and most of them proposal would have established that were in Ontario. By tearing down the tariff Promising "Immediate Action" Canada was founded by only two nations, wall between Canada and the U.S. and by Since taking office in early October, one English and one French. The two assuring U.S. corporations "national treat­ the new government has been working on nations formula was an insult to aboriginal ment" in Canada, many U.S. corporations translating its election platform into a peoples and their demands for national simply shut down their Canadian plants legislative agenda. The first general recognition and self-determination. and shipped products to Canada from their elaboration of this program was given in The debate on Free Trade, in par­ U.S. plants duty-free. the "Throne Speech" of November 20. ticular, moved Canadians towards a new The NDP campaigned on the populist (The Throne Speech is a tradition in receptivity to social democratic ideas and terrain of "fairness" and compassion "for parliamentary systems where at the policies. As the comer piece of a neo­ ordinary working families." But the beginning of a new session of parliament, conservative economic agenda in Canada, traditional social democratic stand of the ceremonial head of state - in Free Trade has become the justification for increased government services financed Ontario's case the Lieutenant Governor - structural changes in the economy which by fairer taxes seemed to find new life in reads a type of "state of the union" address have included an accelerated move to post-Free Trade Ontario. Rae's promise to outlining the government's program for the deregulation and privatization, and introduce "a minimum tax on corporations coming session.) Some of the key points decreased social services. and new taxes on large inheritances and of the government's program include The Canadian labor movement, repre­ real estate speculation" addressed the immediate action to help stimulate the senting 37% of the work force, has been growing concerns of Ontarians that economy, including $700 million to create more successful than U.S. labor in resist­ throughout the last decade the social wage jobs through public works, such as main­ ing the neo-conservative/business agenda of working people has been declining taining roads and public buildings. This that would shift the economic burden of while corporate profits continue to soar. A spending, the government has assured, global restructuring of markets and strength of the NOP campaign was its will occur despite Ontario's $ 2.5 billion increased competition onto the backs of ability to address the tax issue in a pro­ deficit. (There are no legislative demands working people. Labor in Canada, with its gressive and anti-corporate fashion by or voter initiatives that provincial own political party, the NDP, has been focusing working people's anger about governments must present balanced successful in preventing the Tory ideology taxes onto the terrain of social justice. budgets in Canada.) A number of pro­ (of glorifying free markets and opposing Environmental issues also figured grams have been outlined for some of the social intervention· in corporate decision­ prominently in the NDP campaign. Pro­ poorest paid workers. Daycare workers, making) from dominating all political posing an Environmental Bill of Rights, for example, have been promised an discourse in the country. the party effectively argued that because it immediate pay hike, with a universal pay But the Free Trade Agreement which was not linked to business, it would not be equity scheme to follow. The government came into effect on January 1, 1989, has soft on corporate polluters. has promised to increase the minimum already begun to significantly change the Another area where the NOP wage to 60% of the average industrial balance of forces within the country. It has promised to take on business, was in the wage in Ontario. This would set the mini­ relinquished Canadian sovereignty on case of car insurance. At the time of the mum wageat$7.40. many economic matters and moved Cana­ election, the Liberals were in the process The labor movement has been assured dian business towards economic integra­ of introducing a no-fault private insurance that the new government will amend the tion with the U.S. while acting as a cover scheme which would do little for provincial labor code to remove some of for yet another attack against universal consumers, but be highly profitable for the the barriers to unionization~ They have social programs. In opposing the demands insurance companies as it removed the also stated that they will initiate a wage of the business agenda, a growing number right of accident victims to sue for dam­ protection fund to ensure that workers get of Canadians have demonstrated a new ages. As an alternative to the Liberal's paid when companies go bankrupt. The openness to the idea that the role of the plan, the NDP promised a publicly owned labor code will also be amended to assure state should be to assure the welfare of the car insurance system with the right to sue. that workers will get improved notices of

#233 Resist Ntwsletter Page Seven layoffs. Public employees have been who is appointed by the first Minister - government. Second, the new Ontario promised that political rights will be in the case of Ontario, the Premier, Bob government is the most female and labor extended to them. Rae). In reality, these bureaucrats run the intensive of any government in Canadian The NOP government promised to department and can, and have, made min­ history. Never before have Canadians encourage the hiring of minorities and to isters look like incompetent fools. His­ elected a government with so many work towards more self-government for torically, the NOP has been hesitant to legislators directly linked to the rank and native people. Women have been prom­ make a clean sweep of the bureaucracy, file of the labor and popular movements. ised improved pregnancy and parental often leaving many senior government To highlight only two of the many MPs leave, and the government has said it will positions in the hands of people actively elected in this sweep, Marion Boyd, who take measures to reduce violence against hostile to the new government's program is now Minister. of Education, defeated women. It has also promised welfare and values. Premier David Peterson in his own parlia­ reforms to "address the shame of child A second, equally important, con­ mentary seat. Boyd is a feminist who was poverty in the midst of affluence." straint will be business' opposition to most director of a shelter for battered women While they have permitted the com­ of the new government's program. While and children. The new Minister in charge pletion of a nuclear plant already in it is not a particularly radical program of of Community and Social Services, construction, they have announced a social reconstruction, business will see it Zanana Akande is a school principal, has freeze on new nuclear power develop­ as a counter-productive interference in the taught at University of Toronto and Yorlc ment. The Throne speech reiterated the marketplace. While business was slow off University, and has been a leader in the election promise to legislate an Environ­ the mark in the elections, not expecting an Black community in Toronto. Women mental Bill of Rights designed to give NOP victory, it now has a number of years account for almost half of the new cabinet, individuals more control over their envi­ to unite the opposition to the NOP in the holding 11 out of 25 positions. ronment, and to adopt higher standards for province. The election of a social democratic the quality of drinking water. Again, the experience of other NOP government in Ontario should be a tre­ Worlcing from the experience of other provincial governments can be instructive mendous inspiration to working people NOP provincial governments which have in dealing with this problem. Once in here in the U.S. It shows that even in part introduced publicly-owned auto insurance government, the NOP often fails to of the industrial center of North America, systems, the NOP government in Ontario mobilize labor and popular support for there are opportunities for democratic has promised to scrap the Liberal plan and their reforms. While Liberal and Conserv­ socialist programs and ideas to be given a move quickly towards a publicly owned ative governments proudly promote pro­ wide hearing and acceptance. system. business programs and initiatives, the The new government was elected as a On taxes, the NOP will be setting up a NOP tends to try to be "fair" and "even­ result of years of diligent worlc by thous­ "fair tax" commission which will outline a handed." In this misguided attempt at ands of community-based activists who blueprint for a more equitable tax system. "balance," NOP governments can often risked being marginalized in their building While the idea of a minimum tax for become more hostile to the popular move­ of a "third party." In the words of U.S. corporations was discussed in the election ments than explicitly "pro-business" labor leader and socialist Eugene V. Debs, platform, this issue will be only one of governments. NOP governments perceive they decided that it was better "to vote for many options looked at by the "fair tax" the popular movements as forcing the something they wanted, and not get it, commission. government to go too quickly. The history rather than vote for something they didn't While there is not as yet much detail of social democracy is littered with fights want and get it" on any of these proposals, Ontarians have between the mass base of the party The success, or failure, of the Ontario been promised that the individual demanding implementation of the party's government is not just in the hands of its ministers responsible for various areas will program, and an isolated, unresponsive elected officials. It is also in the hands of be making more detailed announcements government under siege by its own base. community activists both inside and out­ unveiling the new programs throughout Finally, there is the wider economic side of the party. It is vital that these the winter and spring. environment in which the NOP has come groups work to keep the government to power. While Ontario is the industrial moving on its promised reforms. Business Bureaucrats Within and heartland of the country, it has just entered will certainly be vocal in its opposition to Busine~men Without a recession and is running a large deficit the NOP program. The only power strong There are, of course, a number of There will be tremendous pressure on the enough to counter this business pressure important constraints on the government government to postpone issues of equality will be wide-spread public activism in implementing these programs. Based on and social justice until the current demanding social justice. • the experience of NOP governments in recession has passed. other provinces, one of the most signi­ Elaine Bernard is Director of the Trade ficant constraints will be the opposition Optimism and Inspiration Union Program at Harvard University within, e.g. the senior government offi­ (We Could Use Some) and is past President and long-time cials. There is a tradition in Canada of a Yet, in spite of these constraints, there activist in the British Columbia NDP. She professional civil service extending to the are some grounds for optimism about the has also recently returned from Lithuania, highest levels in government departments. new government. First, many of the and we look forward to learning her In theory, civil servants are accountable to reforms proposed are not necessarily interpretation of events there. the Minister (in the parliamentary system, expensive. Indeed, many of the social always an elected Member of Parliament justice issues are non-cost items for the

PageEigltJ Resist Newsletter February, 1991 continued from page ten ued an educational and networking role country, and to a smaller list of key organ­ Nationally, the Committee has for attorneys, counselors and law students izations. In addition, the groups are work­ supported women's rights at national interested in draft, military and veteran's ing on developing more detailed training demonstrations and in organizing work. law. In the mid-1970's, the committee materials including videotaped counselor Internationally, members of the group became dormant, but was revived again in training sessions and information on the have participated in delegations to El Sal­ 1979 by a group in San Diego. The Task political rights of service members and on vador, and has kept itself informed of poli­ Force soon became involved in work political and legal consequences of mili­ tical events in the Middle East through against the Carter draft registration tary resistance. speakers and events. program, and supported draft resisters. 1\vo years ago, the group was visited During the 1980's the Task Force Midwest Committee for Military Coun­ by a member of Women in Black in Israel, expanded its work with veterans, prin­ seling, Inc., 343 South Dearborn St, Suite and began to discuss ways to support cipally in the area of discharge upgrade 1113, Chicago, Illinois, 60604. Palestinian rights to self-determination. work; it also made work against the Since the draft ended in 1975, the Mid­ Recent events in the Gulf have pushed the military's exclusion of lesbians and gays a west Committee for Military Counseling group to widen its understanding of the priority area. In the mid-1980's, the Task (MCMC) has been a resource for free and various political interests at stake in the Force worked to oppose the military's ongoing military counseling services, but region. In September the Committee held policies on AIDS and HIV testing. The the organization has operated on a shoe­ a discussion on the Middle East, and then group is preparing a counseling manual on string. Volunteer attorneys and counselors organized a "Speakout on the Crisis in the this issue. In addition, the Task Force is have assisted clients, many of them low Gulf' on Veteran's Day. Speakers were pri­ part of the planning group for a national income people in the military, and veterans marily people of color and included local campaign to demilitarize the schools, who have had difficulty finding work housing activists, church leaders, students focusing on recruiter misconduct and other because of bad discharges or seeking and veterans. 150 people turned out, and aspects of military presence in high benefits for disabilities. Services include 71 signed up to do neighborhood-based schools and colleges. referrals, over-the-phone advice, case pre­ outreach and organizing work on the issue. During the past several months, the parations and hearing representation. The group joined the local "Emer­ Task Force (along with the American The MCMC represents people with gency Coalition for Peace, Justice and Friends Service Committee's Youth & few options. Military recruiters often tell Non-Intervention in the Middle East," and Militarism Project, the CCCO, the War recruits to lie about medical or psychiatric worked to bring local representatives from Resisters League and others) has been conditions, past drug use or criminal its own community to the large anti-war swamped with requests for help from ors records in order to qualify for enlistment, rally held in Boston on December 1st The and their families concerning the Gulf specific jobs or security clearances. If group did a mailing for the Coalition to War. These include people who intend to these lies are discovered, they lose their several hundred women's groups and refuse orders to the Gulf; who want to enlistment contract guarantees and can be · organizations representing people of color. make public their opposition to Bush's assigned to the most undesireable jobs. The Committee has begun to speak policy; who want to file for Conscientious But any allegation of recruiter malpractice with local youth about the military and the Objector status; and who want help with is ignored unless substantiated by an "un­ U.S.government's history of protecting other discharges. These organizations feel biased" witness. Once in the military, corporate interests under the guise of that dissent within the military, and all recruits are subject to a separate system of democracy. They have been joined by Vets forms of non-support of the war effort, are justice, which can often seem unjust and for Peace in these efforts. The Dorchester an important part of the overall effort to capricious. A recent survey found that Women's Committee continues to focus on oppose this war. The Task Force believes 98% of court martials result in its own neighborhoods. Dorchester had the it is essential to broaden this opposition convictions, and 35% of these convictions third highest body count of any Boston and non-support, and to make civilian are later found to be erroneous. neighborhood in the Vietnam War. "We assistance available to all ors who want it MCMC offers counsel in these and intend to see that this does not happen The national network of military many other areas of military law. The again," they promise. Resist's recent grant counselors and attorneys is too small (and deployment of U.S. forces to the Middle was used to defray costs of this neighbor­ in many cases too rusty) to provide local East has led to numerous calls to the hood-based anti-war organizing. referrals for all the people requesting help. MCMC office, and the calls become Therefore, the Task Force, in collaboration increasingly urgent At the same time, the National Lawyers' Guild Military Law with several of the above organizations organization has had a shortfall of dona­ Task Force, 1168 Union St., Suite 201, (the exact make-up of this collaborative tions and other public support. Public San Diego, CA 92101. effort had not been determined at the time Service Announcements sent to local The Task Force is a national commit­ we went to press) is starting a campaign to media outlets have not been broadcast; tee of the National Lawyer's Guild. It was train new counselors and increase the letters to the editor have not been pub­ founded during the Vietnam War, prin­ training of existing counselors. Resist's lished. Resist urges readers to support cipally to provide legal and political sup­ grant was used to send a mass mailing of military counseling and counter-recruit­ port for soldiers and sailors resisting the counter-recruitment and basic training ment efforts in your communities. Our war, and those opposed to the draft With materials to about 1000 peace and anti­ grant to MCMC was used for general the end of the war, the committee contin- interventionist activists around the operating expenses; in particular increased phone services and literature production.

#233 Resist Newsletter Page Nine In each issue of Resist we highlight a few being sent to the Middle East; the cost of Dorchester Women's Committee (Mid­ recent grants we have made to projects in the war and its effects on social programs dle East Organizing Project), 27 Maryland a particular area. This issue features at home; and who is profiting. Speakers St, Dorchester, MA 02125. groups organizing against U.S. war in the included representatives of the National The Dorchester Women's Committee Middle East. (These grant requests were Alliance of Third World Journalists, the grew out of local efforts (in the Dorchester received and awarded prior to the out­ Congregation of National Black Churches, neighborhood of Boston) to organize an break of war on January 16th.) The infor­ and community activists. International Women's Day Celebration. mation in these brief reports is provided to On November 10th, there was a That was back in 1978, and the group has us by the groups themselves. For more demonstration at the White House spon­ continued to commemorate Women's Day information, please write to them at the sored by the oganization, under the banner each year. At the same time, the Com­ addresses provided. "Civil Rights Before Oil Rights/No Blood mittee has addressed crises as they arise for Oil." Continuing demonstrations led by locally, nationally and internationally. Washington Area Coalition to Stop U.S. different sectors of the Coalition have The goals of the Women's Committee Intervention in the Middle East, 2111 taken place each Saturday since August are to organize and educate local commu­ Florida Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 25th including the December 1st student­ nities around a range of issues including 20008. led event "Education Not Ammunition." racism, sexism, homophobia, and U.S. On August 14th, shortly after the On December 8th, 50 demonstrators were imperialism abroad. (The group wrote to announcement of a U.S. troop buildup in arrested after 500 people blocked the street Resist that it's political perspective is "the Saudi Arabia, the Washington Peace and threw down two dozen white "body world is fucked ... " They then elaborated Center (a peace and justice resource bags" symbolizing war casualties. on this a bit). Their work involves women center) organized a community meeting. The Coalition has produced and made of all ages, races, classes and ethnicities in Over 75 people came to hear a presenta­ available an educational video containing local events, political discussions, and tion by Joe Stork, editor of Middle East excerpts from a teach-in on the Middle public speaking. (The Committee has an Report, and to develop a response to the East held in Berkely, and speakers and active youth group.) Recently the group situation. This meeting laid the ground­ demonstration footage from D.C. events. has worked to develop a network of work for the formation of the Washington The Coalition has an ongoing visi­ activist women involved in groups that are Area Coalition to Stop U.S. Intervention in bility campaign including postering not necessarily "women's" groups. the Middle East. The Coalition now throughout the city, leafleting, hanging Locally, while always supporting includes some 35 local peace and justice banners over highway overpasses, and individual women who need help, the groups and has helped to bring together a selling buttons. Thousands of leaflets have group has also worked to keep alive crit­ network of student groups from six been handed out with details on the cost of ical women's resources such as Women, campuses in the Washington Area. war, and how people can oppose it. In Inc., a transitional home for drug-addicted The two political principles under­ addition, the group has circulated petitions women with children. Battering, child lying the Coalition's work are self-deter­ to show public opposition to Bush's war abuse and street violence have been mination and non-violence. The group has effort. Resist's grant went to general or­ important areas for the group's work. issued a statement which includes the ganizing expenses for visibility efforts. continued on page nine following demands: the unconditional, immediate and complete withdrawal of U.S. military forces from the region and r ------j"~~the-Re;i;iPtedge Program 7 an end to the naval blockade; the with­ drawal of Iraqi troops from Kuwait; a non­ We 'd like you to consider becoming a • Yes! l would like to become a Resist l violent, diplomatic resolution to the Resist Pledge. Pledges account for over Pledge. I'd like to pledge $. ____/ I conflict; and a national energy policy in 25 % of our income. By becoming a ______(monthly, bi-I the U.S. based on environmentally safe p_ledge, you help guarantee ~esist a monthly, quarterly, 2x a year, yearly). : energy sources. The Coalition also con­ f 1xed and dependa~le source of mco~e • Enclosed is my pledge contribution 1 demns anti-Arab racism and violence. on which we can bmld our grant makmg of $·---~· 1 program. In return, we will send you a I The group has been involved in monthly pledge letter and reminder, • I can't join the pledge program just activities including demonstrations, educa­ along with your newsletter. We will now, but here's a contribution to sup- tional forums, etc., aimed to educate the keep you up-to-date on the groups we port your work. $ ____ D.C. area public about the true reasons for have funded, and the other work being Name ______the U.S. military buildup, and to agitate done at Resist. So take the plunge and for an end to hostilities. The Coalition has become a Resist Pledge! We count on Address ------been consistent in its insistence on linking you, and the groups we fund count on City/State/Zip ______the war in the Middle East to domestic us. demands. For example, on November 8d1, Resist One Summer Street, Somerville, MA 02143 • (617) 623-5110 the group sponsored a forum, "The Gulf - ·------Crisis and African Americans," w 1ch addressed the numbers of people of color

Page Ten Resist Newsletter February, 1991