News Clippings and Coalition Events, 1985

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{ONE 374-414)

EO Og

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f the building is Robert E. Schneeman
& last night after right, district eo
er arrest on a disorderly-condyct charg

; mmander of the Federa} Protective Ser.
e. She was one of vice; and two unidentified officers,
test of South Afrie

2 —~{ Gazette Phata —

their outrage over American policy
toward racially Segregated South Afri-
ca,

“I can't think of a better way to
remind my fellow citizens that there is
great suffering and racist tyranny
there,” said Lawrence Wittner, one of
the 10 people who were arrested
Thursday night by Albany police for
refusing to leave the Leo O'Brien
Federal Office Building.

The group included 6th Ward Alder-
man Nancy Burton and several pomi-
nent local clergymen, including the
Rev. Robert Dixon and the Rev. Alvin
C. Porteous, all of whom Said this was
their first arrest.

The protesters, along with their 175
Supporters who marched outside in
subfreezing temperatures for more
than an hour, called for a cutoff of
American relations with South Africa's
minority white government.

The 10 arrested were charged with
disorderly conduct, a violation punish-
able by up to 15 days in jail and a fine
of no more than $259. They were
Scheduled to appear today in Albany
Police Court.

All were released Thursday evening
on their own recognizance.

The demonstation inside the build-
ing's first-floor lobby began with a
Series of brief sermons from the
ministers and a few verses of “We
Shall Overcome.”

Just after six, the 10 demonstrators
Sat cross-legged in a Semicircle on the
lobby floor,

Sgt. Gary Lester of the ‘Federal
Protective Service Stood directly in
front of the protesters and told them
they would be arrested if they re-
mained in the building.

“The building is about to close,” he
Said. “At this time, please leave.”

The 10 did not budge.

One by one, they stood and submit-
ted to body searches, They were then

Street, the Broup ¢rupted into a round
of whistles, cheers a

a
-

Without saying a Word, Wittner
flashed a broad grin and was placed
inside the van.

Each of the nine that followed — the
Rev. Brian O'Shaughnessy, the Rev.
Alan Delamater, Martin Manley, John
Funiciello, Isaac Bracey, Rezsin Ad-
ams, Ms. Burton, Dixon, Porteous ad
Wittner —~ was treated Similarly, Each
time, the demonstrators interrupted
their chanting to applaud,

The protestors were delivered to the
Division 2 Stationhouse, where they
received appearance tickets and were
released. They were met after their

release by a Broup“of seven local
attorneys, who were to represent them
today in Police Court.

ters would fight the charges.

“We have yet to work that out with
our clients,” said atterney Anita Thay-
er, who is representing Dixon and
Funiciello,

The Albany demonstration follows
more than a month of daily arrests
outside the South African Embassy in
Washington, D.C, and the nation’s
consulate in New York City by groups
Opposed to the policy of racial Separa-
tion, or apartheid.

“It’s a rather unusual thing for a
Baptist minister to do,” said Proteous,
Pastor of the Emmanuel Baptist
Church, of his arrest.

Tt was a first for him and for Ms.

Burton, “| d to gulp a cou le of times
thetght of motmaiig snes

' Group plans protes;

against S. African”

as
By Nancy Connell a ae /&
Statt writer ¢ “/

4 coalition of ciyij rights and church
Sroups took the occasion of Martin
Luther King Jr.'s birthday Tuesday to
announce a planned “dramatic act of

HONn-violent ciyi! disobedience” Thurs.
day to protest apartheid in South

In addition, a protest is scheduled
for 5 p.m. Thursday at the Leo O’Brien
Federai Building.

The Albany Chapter of the NAACP.
the Capital District Coalition Against
Apartheid and Racism, the Capital
Area Council of Churches and the
Greater Albany Jewish Federation, as
well as Alderrnan Nebraska Brace and
individual clergymen, participated in
the press conference.

The proposed civi! disobedience in
Albany is part of a nationwide effort to
focus attention on apartheid and the
policies of the Reagan administration
toward South Africa. Apartheid is a
System of strict raciai segregation
enforced in South Africa.

The activities are being coordinated
by TransAfrica, a foreign policy lobby.
People arrested for Civil disobedience
during protests that began before
Thanksgiving include Nobel Prize win.
her George Wald: Reps. Ronald Del-

lums of California and John Conyers of
Michigan; the Rey. Joseph Lowery,
president of the Southern Christian
Leadership Conference; and Mary
Frances Berry, a member of the U.S.
Civil Rights Commission.

“The Reagan administration has
been pursuing a policy they call
constructive engagement,” said Vera
Michelson, chairman of the Capital
District Coalition Against Apartheid
and Racism.

“Those words are really a coverup
for a policy of collaboration, and US
collaboration with South Africa means
military and nuclear exchange: it
means diplomatic exchange; it means
an increased presence of South African

officials in the US: it means the
United States does not condemn South
Africa for its tyranny; it means that
Reagan considers Prime Minister Pik

continued investment of multinational

Michelson said the United Nations
has called on member nations to

country imposed against Poland be-
Cause of its civil rights violations.

The anti-apartheid groups plan a
rally at § p.m. Thursday at the Federal
Building, North Pearl Street and

“The ¢ivil disobedience will be
Separate from the demonstration,”
Michelson said. “We're not. going to
publicly say what they're going to do.”

Michelson was asked if those partici-
pating in the civil disobedience intend
to get arrested,

“Our statement is — acts of civil
disobedience wi}} be committed,”

acts.”

Brace said he would introduce a
resolution in the Albany Common
Council condemning apartheid. Brace,
who represents the largely black Arbor
Hill community, said the resolution
will also call on the city to rid itself of
investments that involve interests in
South Africa,

Brace said the legislation wil} be c0-
Sponsored by Aldermen Nancy Burton,

added that he was optimistic it vould
pass.

FREE SOUTH

AFRICA NOW!
END U.S. AID TO
APARTHEID

COME TO A RALLY TO DEMONSTRATE:

@ OUR OUTRAGE AT THE BRUTAL OPPRESSION OF SOUTH AFRICA*S BLACK
MAJORITY BY THE WHITE MINORTTY GOVERNMENT

@ OUR ANGER AT REAGAN'S COLLABORATION WITH THAT OPPRESSION

@ OUR SOLIDARITY WITH THE WAVES OF ANTI~APARTHEID PROTESTS SWEEPING
SOUTH AFRICA AND THE U.S.

@ OUR SUPPORT POR A DRAMATIC ACT OF NON-VIOLENT CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
WHICH WILL BE HAPPENING HERE IN ALBANY AT THE SAME TIME

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1985 5:00 PM.
FEDERAL BUILDING, N. PEARL & CLINTON. ALBANY

THE CAPITAL DISTRICT COALITION AGAINST APARTHEID AND RACISM

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE
(NAACP ~ ALBANY BRANCH)

436-0562 462-1823

FREE SOUTH AFRICA: A MOVEMENT WHOSE TIME IS NOW

MUA Tos AD BD s49

Reset? In south Africa, the white 17% of the popilation
owns and controls all of tne land, wealth and power -- at the expense
of black South Africans, who are the vast majority (83.4). Jnder the
system of racial domination called “apartheid,” Llack South
Africans have a separate, inferior education system; need special
permission to travel anywhere inside their own country; can be forced
to leave their families, live in workers’® barracks and be paid sub-
minimum wages; can be shipped to remote barren areas and forced to
live there; and ARE NOT EVEN CONSIDERED CITIZENS OF [Hk COUNTRY WHBRE
THEY WERE BORN, AND WHICH THEY BUILT WITH THEIR LABOR: THEY CANNOT VOTE.

wey 6 : Ad ? They don’t. In the 1900's,
it took Britain, the world's strongest military power, 100 years to
crush the resistance of the Black peoples of Southern Africa. Since
1912, when they formed the African National Congress (ANC), Black
south Africans have fought for their rights through every channel open
to them. After 1940, when their peaceful protests were met with Zuns,
they added armed struggle to their means of seering justice. IN 1984,
THERE WAS A NEW S'RGE OF RESISTANCL TO APARTHEID BY THOUSANDS OF
‘STUDENTS, WCREERS, AND RESIDENTS OF PHE uLACK TOWNSHIPS. ONCE AGAIN,
THE SOVERNWENT'S RESPCNSE WAS SUNS AND PRISONS.

Som ne

“a, 2

Ne OFM
Mi oe

Wuy G a?The white government of South Africa
uses an immense and powerful military and police force backed by
sophisticated technology to maintain this unjust system. THE ECONOMIC
AND TECHNOLOGICAL RESOURCES THAT ALLOW THE. TO DO THIS COME PRINARILY
FROM. EVROPE AND THE UNITED STATES. Under the Reagan administration,
the \.3S. has become South Africa's leading trade partner, supplying
crucial computers, military and nuclear technology, and large amounts
of MONEY.

A_MCVEMEN' sciatelioke s A wave of anti-apartheid protests is
now sweeping across the U.8. Called the Free South Africa j.ovement,
it started in washington in November. Since then, dozens of prominent
legislators, labor officials, religious leaders, civil rights
activists and Black community leaders have been arrested for acts of
civil disobedience at the South African embassy, and the protests have
spread across the country. The movement's demands are:
by Release of labor leaders imprisoned in South Africa
2) Release of Nelson !andela, leader of the African
National Congress, and all other political
prisoners
(3) End Reagan's policy of collaboration (called “construc~
tive engagement") with apartheid
(4) Divest (withdraw) all public money (for example,
pension funds) from U.3. corporations and banks
doing business with racist South Africas end all
U.S. investments, loans and trade with South Africa

MAJORITY RULE IN SOUTH AFRICA! END APARTHEID!

THE FIGHT AGAINST APARTHEID .z
IN SOUTH AFRICA

MOVE MENT AGAINST RACIST REGIME INTENSIFIESIN
U.S. AND SOUTH AFRICA

Staal

Over the past several weeks, there have S$ PE. rN K E RS :

been regular pickets involving thousands

ii, SF es he mae oof civil rights activists, ade unionists, and
\ fae “ others in major cities across the United HENRY a LONGE
\ ee American South African Peoples

States against the apartheid regime in
South Africa. These demonstrations were Friendship Association

sparked by the South African govern- JOH N a UN Ll. E. a LO

ment's stepped-up repression in the face of
a wave of protests and strikes by the Black American Federation of State County
majority. Municipal Maployees

The U.S. actions have focused on de- JON FL A ND E i? XS

mands to release trade union leaders de-
4 tained without charges, opposition to the Member United Steelworkers of America

U.S. government's support to the Suuth Local 8247, Socialist Workers Party

ee regime, and opposition to apart- VERA MICH E LSON

Apartheid is a system of segregation and Chairperson, Coaiition Against

oppression imposed on the 27 million Apartheid and Racism
Blacks who make up the overwhelming

majority in South Africa. Whites con-

stitute only 5 million of the popula-

tion

q°%

Daily protests are taking place at the South African embassy in Washington, D.C.

FRIDAY JANUARY 11 8pm

MILITANT LABOR FORUM
352CENTRAL AVE., ALBANY

434-3247 DONATION : $2, «1. ».s./vnemptoved)

*organizations listed
for identification
purposes only.

Co-sponsored by
the Young Socialist
Alliance

Habr& treducciéa al espanol.

ane:

order that no city funds be deposited in
banks with investments there.

“The Common Council of the city of
Albany condemns and rejects the
uncivilized and ble policies
of apartheid the nation that
pra it,” the aldermen declared in
a resolution passed unanimously
Thursday night.

The resolution was a revised version
of one prepared by the Capital District
Coalition Against Apartheid and Rac-
ism. In the original version, according
to Alderwoman Nancy Burton, the
council would have directed Comptrol-
ler Charles Hemingway not to invest
any city funds in banks with holdings in
the African nation.

Ms. Burton, who was arrested Jan 17
in a protest at the Leo W. O’Brien
Federal Office Building, Albany, said
the revised resolution did not go far

to
“I don't know if legally we can do
that,” Brace said. “What we wanted to
do tonight was take a first step.”

Abed a
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‘

eles

Conners’ son *

eyes primary -:*

Will the son of state Assemblyman,
Richard J. Conners, D-Albany, chal::
lenge Albany's 6th Ward Alderwoman
Nancy Burton in a primary election -
this year? ie ae

“T'm consi it,” says Michael F. °
Conners, 35, who heads the Conners & -
Reddy insurance firm, But he empha-
sized it was “awfully early” to ay”
nounce his plans, ae

Other sources, including Ms. Burton. |
indicated Thursday that Conners would
announce his candidacy on March 8.”

Conners, a Democrat who retire _
moved into a home on Willett Street iq’.
Albany’s Washington Park neighber-.*
hood, confirmed this week that 6th
Ward leader Nicholas Sacca ‘was
among those who had asked him to nin
for Ms. Burton's council seat. mie

Conners said if he did run he would
be “a definite underdog,” adding: “1
would run a very positive campaign. {
think Nancy Burton is a good person.” .

Ms. Burton was less kind. Sar oe

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city not to do with bank»
dealing with South ; bee

op iu ha pp eae
grou t resolution
said eianioiin tes pane
jhursday’s action, if not totally satis

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nation whose uncivilized apartheid

ies are inimical to Judeo-Chris-

1 as the principles

Whalen said he would “join with al
“We call on leaders the worid over

civilized people everywhere in con-

for which the Rev. Martin Luther King

Jr. lived and died.”
demning apartheid and the nation that

tian teachings as wel
practices it.”

polic

proclamation condemns §S. Africa, apartheid

to reject this reprehensible policy in
the name of the Rev. Martin Luther
King Jr.”

Albany City Hall was closed in honor
of King’s bitthday, which is being
observed as a legal holiday in New
York state for the first time this year

wants the state to allow school to be
held on the state holiday, but Board of
Education President Roger N. Wright
supports the King holiday,

The holiday was approved by the
state Legislature last summer after
the district had adopted its 1984-85

te We call on leaders the world over to reject

2 at ae rs ao eee

this reprehensible policy in the name of the Rev.
Martin Luther King Jr. 5

~~ Mayor Thomas Whalen

It will be observed as a federal holiday
in 1986

King’s birthday was Jan. 15, but the
legal holiday was set for the third
Monday of January.

in Clifton Park, tbe holiday observ-
ance has divided two top officials in
the Shenendchowa Schooi district.

Superintendent Edwin Dunmire

calendar. That left the district with the
choice of either cutting one instruc-
tional day or eliminating a vacation
day elsewhere in the schedule.

A survey showed residents wanted to
maintain the number of instructional
days, officials said, so the board
decided to eliminate the Good Friday
holiday.

“The best way to honor Martin
Luther King Jr. and his memory is to
have schoo] that day,” Dunmire said.

Wright opposed Dunmire’s proposal,
saying he would not participate in
actions to eliminate the day off.

The Reagan administration has stat-
ed its opposition to South Africa's
policy of apartheid, or strict racial
segregation, However, it does not
support withdrawal of American funds
invested in South African firms.

Whalen said he supported divest-
ment of American funds from South
Africa, adding that the city did not
invest in firms doing business with
South Africa.

“The city’s opportunity for invest-
ment are rather limited,” Whalen said.

He said the city invests surplus funds
in treasury notes or certificates of

deposit,
Whalen said he issued the proclama-
tion because he believes that the more

local governments make their position
known, the greater the pressure will be

on the federal government to change
its policies.

Brace said he would introduce a
resoldtion condemning apartheid at
Thursday's Common Council meeting:

Albany gave the day off to its non-
union employees, but unionized fugc-
tions such as police protection and
garbage collection were not affected.
City Budget Director Daniel Klepak
could not estimate the cost of the day
off when he was contacted at home
late Monday afternoon,

Most Schenectady County employees
were also off Monday, except for those
employed in such necessary services
as the sheriff's department and county
nursing home. said George Davidson,
Schenectady County deputy comyfis-
sioner of finance. : 4

ito tte ¢

Davidson said it was diffiewll to
estimate the additional cost Ydiithe
county for those employeegswho
worked Monday. He said it wow a
small fraction of the average ail;
employee payroll of about $50,000.»

200 pieket in Albany rally”
10 seized in anti-apartheid protest

By Quincey R. Johnson

Staff writer

A protest against U.S. policies on
South Africa ended Thursday with the
arrest of 10 area civic and religious
leaders at the Leo W. O’Brien Federal
Building in Albany.

The 10 demonstrators were arrested
and charged with disorderly conduct
after they refused to leave the building
lobby.

As the 10 disobeyed orders to leave
and sat down in the lobby, more than
200 protesters walked a picket line
outside the building in sub-freezing
weather. Pickets included Albany
County Legislator Sandra Rose Tem-
ple and Alice Green of the Americhn
Civil Liberties Union.

They yelled and chanted slogans
against Reagan administration policies

that they said did not do enough to
force changes in South Africa’s aparth-

eid system, which they said unfairly
discriminates against the country’s
black majority.

Martin Manley, a Schenectady resi-
dent and member of the Coalition
Against Aparthied, said he was not
worried about being arrested. “Not at
all,” he said. “I think this is the right
time carry on this activity. When it is
done in an organized group, it's a nice
way to work for justice.”

He said he has been working against
aparthied sincé the SouthAfrican
Springbok rugby team came to Albany
in 1981. “It's my usual inclination to
avoid being arrested,” Manley said.

Albany 6th Ward Alderman Nancy
Burton, who also was arrested, said she
wanted to enlighten people about the

» Reagan administration's policy toward

South Africa. “This administration puts
economics over human fights. This is a
drastic shift over the last administra-

tion,” Burton said

The Reagan policy, described by
administration officials as construc-
tive engagement, calls for behind-the-
scenes diplomacy without public criti-
cism of the South African government
policies involving treatment of blacks.

Vera Michelson, one of the organiz-
ers of the protest, said the administra-
tion's policy of constructive engage-
ment is “a hideous coverup for actually
supporting aparthied South Africa,”

Trevor Abrahams of the African
National Congress, one of the pickets
marching outside the building, said

people all over the world are protest-
ing minority rule in South Africa. He
said the regime is repressive to blacks
in the country.

Abrahams said protesters wanted
the release of people imprisioned

See 10 HELD / 8-12

UNDER ARREST — A foderai
officer arrests the Rev. Rabert
W. Dixon, pastor of Calvary
Baptist Church of Albany, at
Leo O'Brien Federal Building in
Albany Thursday on a charge of
disorderly conduct in connec-
tion with an anti-apartheid pro-
test. ‘

TIMES UNION ***

10 held in anti-apartheid protest

_Albany, N.Y., Friday, Jan. 18, 1985

.Gontinued from B-1 |
because of their opposition to South
African government policies.

Arrested and released for appear-
ance in Albany Police Court 9:30 a.m.
today were:

Manley, of 216 Front St., Schenecta-
dy; Burton, of 213 Elm St, Albany;
Rezsin Adams, 112 Chestnut St. Al-
bany, of the Coalition Against Lag coke
eid; Isaac Bracey, Old Hickory Drive,
Albany; of the National Association for
the Advancement of Colored People;
the Rev W. Alan Delamater, pastor of

Calvary United Methodist Church,
Albany; the Rev. Robert W. Dixon,

pastor of Calvary Baptist Church,
Albany; John Funicello of the Albany

7 mn CR ow

O'Shaughnessy, a priest in the Albany
Roman Catholic Diocese; the Rev.
Alvin C. Porteous, pastor of Emmanuel
Baptist Church, Albany, and Dr. Lawr-

ence S. Wittner, vice t of the
United University faker.
Officers of the Federal Protective
Service, which handles security for the
General Services Administration, stood

in a small office off the lobby while the
10 people talked for more than 45

minutes.

The federal officiers told the protes-
ters that they would be asked to leave
the building at 6 p.m. At that time, a
federal officer said: “This building is
closed at this time.”

Federal officers requested that the

nt ome sendin tance bea bell ttanw aé Shint

time. Moments later, officers from the
Arbor Hill Neighorhood unit of the
Albany Police Department came to the
scene to assist the federal officers in

‘transporting the protesters to vision Il

headquarters on Morton Avenue.

At Division I headquarters, the
people arrested were charged one at a
time and released. The protesters were
met by a group of attorneys who had
volunteered to represent them. Attor-
ney Anita Thayer organized the group,
which includes Joan Byalin, Thomas
Keefe, Mary Jo Long, Mark Mishler,
Gasper Castillo and Frank Anderson.

Thayer said the 10 will meet in .
police court today before the proceed-
ings before deciding what their course

af aatiag wentd he

— council condemns S. African apartheid

By Nancy Connell Tu
Statt writer

A resolution ¢ pital be
in South Africa was vn unanimeous-
pA by the Albany Common Council .

ursday, & on which the legisla-
tion's sj said was the first of its
kind by a city in New York state.

Third Ward Alderman Nebraska

Brace, who introduced the resolution, :

said Albany would be the first city in
the state to pass such legislation. The
resolution was by Alder-
men Arthur Scott, Joseph Buechs and
Nancy Burton. Burton was arrested
last week for participating in an
organized act of civil d ience to
protest apartheid...

The resolution noted that “the
apartheid policy of South Africa for-
bids the black 83 percent of the
population from having citizenship,
voting. owning land, or living and

" i

( [2S /&S- eoirea

where they choose, and re” ine
quires all black th Africans, to
" In the resolution, .

carry a
the council at caramie hte

gee and Jae uti tat
apartheid nation that
ee it”.

* Burton suggested the city should
also find out if the banks it uses do
business in South Africa. If they do, the
city should take its money elsewhere,
Burton said. She did not attempt to
make the divestiture issue part of the
resolution, however.

In other action; the council intro-
duced legislation appropriating $240,-
000 for a Tricentennial Park behind
city hall. Most of the money, $174,000,
wilt be used to buy two buildings at2
and 3 Pine St. from Albany attorney
William Cade. -

The remainder of the sum will be
used for improvéments to-the park,

demolition of the “hee
ting:
Swill: represent an enlargement

rere pi park behind city hall facing on

. After the death of Mayor Erastus
— 2nd, a committee studying
ways to honor the late mayor recom-
mended the creation of the park behind
city hall'as a memorial. —_

rg noted that such a —
ing's a

combine , recognition of
ei of service in city hall with’ his

ove of nature.

Before his death, Corning worked
successfully to — the demolition
of the Cade buildings because of their
historic value.

On the council agenda Thursday, the
rk was referred to as Tricentennia!
ark, which prompted Aldermen Ger-
‘ald Jennings jeory obert VanAmburgh

question . "ipo Cor the parcel ir
question was Corning mernoria!
Assistant tion Ooenel Gary
pan, gga promised to check into th
ma

The council also introduced legisia

‘tion te ask thé state Legislature t:

allow the city to initiate a permi
system which would give resident
first crack at on-street parking.

Burton and Jennings both said the

- hoped that the permit would not b

limited to Center the neighbo:
hood closest to the State Plaz
and the one most troubled by th
parking shortage caused by sta!
employees who park on the street.

Legislation appropriating $80,000 {1
a new roof at the Albany Publ
Library was also introduced.

ss
Albany council will be asked ©

: kk/

/ / x 2: f ony KYLE HUGHES
wx ~ Rnlckerbocker News Reporter —

As a protest against the apartheid system of racial
discrimination, the Albany Common Council will be asked

this week to approve a resolution condemning American
investment in South African business,

\ Alderman Nebraska Brace said he was drawing up the

resélution to present at the council's meeting Thursday.

“ ‘Brace said he felt it was necessary for city government to
go on record against South Africa’s apartheid system.
“] think Albany has taken its rightful role,” he said.

, Albany Mayor Thomas M. Whalen III said the city had no
imopey invested in South Africa. In observance of the Rev.
Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday celebration sees. Be
ned with Brace, Alderman Arthur Scott and Alban
County Legislator Sandra L. Temple to condemn Sou

“South Africa was an issue of paramount concern in
Pry 4 in September 1961, when against the wishes of then
Gov. Hugh Carey and numerous protesters, former Mayor
Erastus Corning 2nd permitted the South African rugby

to condemn apartheid policy

team, the Springboks, to play at Bleecker Stadium, ....
- ‘The controversy attracted national attention, and Corning
was condemned by some for allowing the South Africans to
come to the city. The episode added impetus to the anti-
apartheid movement in Albany.

At a press conference Monday, Mayor Whalen criticized
South Africa, but was non-committal when asked if he

‘would go against Corning’s example and bar the South
African team if the situation arose again.

“That’s kind of never-never land,” Whalen said. “I-don't
think right now that that’s a subject that’s appropriate.” —

Whalen made the comment at a press conference he
called to read a proclamation in honor of King’s birthday.
in the proclamation, Whalen said the city joined “with all
civilized people everywhere in condemning apartheid and

the nation that practices It, and we call on 1aGets 18 Or.

reprehens ible policy in the name of Rev.
fr,

Copies of the resolution will be sent to New York's two
US. senators and to Rep. Samuel Stratton, D-Schenectady,
Whalen said.

EDITORIALS —

Selective
outrage

Albany 6th Ward Alderman Nancy Burton
did the best job of summing it all up the
other night, just before she was arrested.

“This administration,” she said, “puts
economics over human rights.”

That was why Ms. Burton and nine other
area civic and religious leaders refused to
end their sit-in at the Leo W. O’Brien Federal
Building and ended up being taken into
custody on disorderly conduct charges. Their
point was that the Reagan administration
isn’t doing enough to end apartheid in South
Africa.

Certainly no one can dispute the basic
injustice of the apartheid system, which
discriminates shamefully against South Afri-
ca’s black majority. It’s an unjust, inhuman
system, and it should be done away with.

But it's a quantum leap in logic to blame
Ronald Reagan for supporting apartheid
because the administration refuses to-outlaw
all American investment in and U.S trade
with South Africa. This nation also trades
with and invests in other countries with
human rights’ records every bit as bad as
South Africa’s and, in many cases, a lot
worse.

30 /¢S~

sdurdy BU.

Whatever the sins of the white South
African minority, for example, it didn't send
troops into Afghanistan. It doesn't maintain a
slave-labor system for political prisoners in
Siberia. It doesn't stick political dissidents
into mental hospitals and pump them full of
drugs because they disagree with govern-
ment policy. When South African dissidents
are accorded honors such as the Nobel Peace
Prize, they are free to 8° to Stockholm and
express their points of view in front of the
world.

None of this means that the South African
government should be exonerated because
it’s not as repressive as the Soviet Union's —
or China's or Libya's or Iran's, to name a few
others. But it does mean that this particular
expression of outrage over human rights
violations seems highly selective,

The protest at the federal building the
other night was based on several premises
that seem somewhat shaky, One, criticism of
the administration on this matter presuppos-
es that an expression of hostility on the part
of the U.S. government would, in fact.
actually compel the South African govern-
ment to do away with apartheid. The fact is
that the most extreme sanctions we've been
able to impose on other nations — the Sovict
Union, for example — have had little or no
discernible effect on the internal policies of
those nations.

The protest also rested on the basic
principle that a nation should impose a
subjective morality test on any country with
which it does business. By that logic, we
shouldn't do business with the United
Kingdom, because of what it's doing in
Northern Ireland. We should abandon Israel
because of its disputes with its Arab citizens.
We should even shun our neighbor to the
north, Canada, because of its overly restric- ..
tive immigration policies.~In short, it's a
principle that can be carried only so far, and
it's a matter of judgment as to when to
impose it and how severely.

The fact is that the administration has
firmly stated its opposition to apartheid and
has urged the South African government to
do. away with it. So far those pleas have been
largely ignored. It does seem to make sense,
however, that a friend would be in a better
position to exert influence over the South
African government than an enemy, and
that's what the protesters would have the
U.S. become if the administration did what
it's being told to do.

neon ine

iasltS

GAZE TIE PHONE 374-4141

Albany Council Takes
Anti-Apartheid Stand

By CARLO WOLFF
Gazette Reporter
ALBANY — The Albany Common Council
last night unanimously a a resolu-
tion condernning - the system of
racial separatism in South — and Na-
mibia.

by Ward? Alderman Arthur T.
rd 3 Alderman Nebraska Brace,
ochecd ares hay fe nag yrs
of Ward 6, the resolution is the first anti
apartheid stance adopted by any cit y in the
wine meee however, had wanted the city to
take an even ee
recent arrest said, she sup-
cerkes Gs ramen what it
called “the uncivilized and reprehensible

8
Scott, Wa
Joseph B

policies of a and the nation that
practices it.”

But she said she would have preferred the
resolution also direct city officials not

to invest in banks that invest in South Africa
or Namibia, also known as Southwest Afri-
ca.

Burton was one of 10 civic and religious
activists arrested in the Leo O’Brien Feder-

al Building on Jan. 17 in a civil dizobedience |

case involving a protest against apartheid.
Charged with disorderly conduct, all 10
are due in Albany Police on Wednes-

The city moves its around a tot,”
rire s04d in toe onench Glects prenedin
the regular she’s been tol
Citibank, Chase Manhattan, Marine Midland
and Manufacturers Hanover “do business
— that do business” with South

During the roll call vote, Buechs directed
T. Garry Burns, common council clerk, to
Senne ea nd cg

yman, gena
man representing Albany. Scott said he
suasage trond the seuniey” ahoeh spore
ge apart-
heid, which Ward 13 Alderman Robert Van
Amburgh called a licy abhorrent not

only to conscience to common sense.”
{ter the unanimous adoption, Brace

council members to a le
small audidace who Che
Coalition A and 5

NAACP the Jan. 17 demonstra-
tien qutaiie the O'Briaa building.

* coed Oe

with three banks of investing in

| about,” said the city's chief elected fisca)

ee ee

S. Africa-Tied Banks
By CARLO wourr 2/8/25] - Moumzana said “American big busines
ALBANY ~s City Comptroller Charles mente that holster ths intiitory on political
ion the 4 million members of tin

wneeway said yesterday he I see .
whether the city can in ness { rulin White minority impose on the coun-
. try's 36 million blacks.

Late last month, the Albany Common
Council approved a resclution condemning

*
Hemingway said he plans to discuss the

situation with ion Counsel Vincens
J. McArdle pi ly

The city has used Citibank, Chemica}
Bank and Chase Manhattan Bank for short.

South Africa,
* *
t

Brace and Ward 6 Alderman Nancy Burton
of Ward 6, the resolution is the first anti.
apartheid stance a by any city in the
State, according to Brace.

But it s short of calling for a divest.
ment clause directing city fiseal officials
not to invest in banks that invest in South
re or Namibia, also known as Southwest
Africa.

One of 16 religious and civic leaders ar-
rested Jan. 17 during an anti-apartheid
test in the Leo O'Br
Burton had wanted the council resolution to

all opposes apartheid.
“This ig something I never really thought

officer, adding he doesn't know whether the
city's “Common Counei} could tell me not to

McArdle, the City's top legal adviser,
could not be reached for comment yester-

day,

The three banks, along with Manufactur-
ers Hanover, were scored yesterday for in-
vesting in South Africa’ The criticism
surfaced during a news conference at Urban
League/NAACP headquarters on Living.
ston Avenue.

Called by the Coalition Against Apartheid
and Racism, the conference showcased
speakers ede sag. divestment of busi-

linked to South Africa.

During pss: A news conference,
eid coalition spokesman Vera
Michelson said her sroup plans to forge bills
calling for such divestment on cit , Count
and state levels. She Said she is wor ing wit

ny
racial separatism known as apartheid.
Neo iteoinnend chief representative of
the African Nati nal Congress’ observer Bank, Chase ttan Bank and Manufac-
cheison said the thrust of the local bill wil}
be to “indicate the city’s will” not to do
usiness with such banks.

~- Ac rrr tr neta ap aeypeer

rotests against South Africa's
policy of racism and union repres-
sion continued this winter.

In December, AFSCME Pres, Gerald
W. McEntee, arrested for his protest in
Washington, D.C., vowed that “we
shall stand and fight until we get a
change in that policy.”

Days later, members of APSCME’s
International Executive Board, meeting
in Washington, voted “absolute opposi-
tion to the racist apartheid policies of
the government of South Africa” and
then adjourned their session to demon-
strate near that nation’s embassy.

The AFSCME board called upon
AFSCME locals and councils to partici-

pate in the protests.

Members of CSEA/AFSCME
Local 1000 join hundreds of
protestors who marched and

chamted against apartheid in
fromt of the federal

im Albany, New York. Tem
leber leaders, memebers of the

clergy, end community activ
ists were arrested here when
they rewasined imskie the
building after clesing hoars.
Marching here (left to right)
are Joel Schwartz, a member
of CSE A's board of directors;
Daniel X. Campbell, CSEA
staffer; and Irene Carr,
CSEA statewide secretary.

As the winter went on, union
members in Washington and around the
nation followed their national leaders
and continued the demonstrations.

Archie Mack, president of AFSCME
Local 2743-—~the local represents work-
ers at the District of Columbia Depart-
ment of Consumer and Regulatory
Affairs—~spoke for many of the demon-
strators and many of those arrested: “It
is a great honor to be a physical part of
this movement to express my opposition
to the Reagan administration’s policy of
constructive engagement and to let our
oppressed brothers and sisters in South
Africa know that we stand beside them
in their fight for freedom and dignity.”

CSEA joins growing
protestagainst

racisnl

ALBANY-—-CSEA members and officers added their support to a protest against
policies on South Africa staged at the Leo W. O'Brien Federal Building here recently.

More than 200 people picketed at the rally, which ended with the arrest of 10 area
civic, religious and union leaders, who were charged with disorderly conduct after
they refused to leave the building at its closing time.

At 8 preee conference several days earlier, organized by the National Associa-
tion for the Advancement of Colored Peopie and the Aibany-besed Coalition Against
Apartheid, CSEA statewide Secretary Irene Carr voiced CSEA’s opposition to South
Atrica’s apartheid system, which unteirty discriminetes agsinst the bieck majority,
and which hae tried to bresk the independent bleck unions (see story in box, right).

“in solidarity with our South African brothers and sisters, CSEA expresses

outrage at the arrest and detention of trade unionists by the government of South
Africa,’’ Carr seid.

C. Alien Mead, president of CSEA's Capital Region IV, said CSEA's involvement
againet apartheid began in 1981 during a controversial rugby game invoiving the South

African Springhoks and the Schenectady besed all-star Eastern Rugby Union team.
The game was scheduled at Bleeker Stadium in Albany with the approval of the late
Aibany Mayor Erastus Corning.

“CSEA, AFSCME, the NAACP and the then newly-formed Caalition Against Apert-
heid led hundreds of demonstrators in a rally against the game in a cold rainstorm,
recalled Mead.

At the recent rally, protesters gathered in sutyzero temperatures, chanting slo
gans against the Reagan administration’s policy of ‘constructive engagement’’ with
South Africa’s rulers.

Among the 10 who were arrested were John Puniceilo of the AFSCME Interna
tlonal Area Office and Aibany Central Labor Council, and Lawrence S. Wittner, vice
president of the United University Proteasions.

The 10 were brought before Albany City Court Judge Thomas Keegan and released
later that evening. They face a possibile penalty of 15 days in jail and e possible tine
of $250 each.

picket line were, from
County Social Services

Unit President Steve

, CSEA Region [V President C.
Mead and CSEA statewide

RIGHT: On the

left, Albany
Department

Radler

Secretary Irene Carr.

Allen

»
7 ¢
“ ‘ne

ANTL-APARTHEID — Protesters included CSEA activists, from left, Warren
Moloney of SUNY, Sue Waltz of the Department of Motor Vehicles, and
Barbara Charies of the Labor Deyartment.

_ organizers hy
» and atte to.co stbem: “aackieplingiand killed Ouse colgheated.,”
| Woregd gc ee et ay case? was Of Neil Aggett,“a ‘white orgie

. bese

ication of the American Federation of Stete, County & Municipal Employees, AFL-CIQ,
EGLO LATEST LULL LAE RD BETES I ABE EIE BODIE BOLE ILLES EERE TEES EVEBENG EEE ERIE SERN BEELER ROUEN D RESEDA,

ees

THE PUBLIC. SECTOR, Friday, January 25, 1985 Page 1

ait District Caslition Against Apartheid. and. Racism, Albany, NY.

M sone Marobe United Demaratic Front,

African National
Congress leader, Nelson
Mandela, brings a f
, message from her

% |

ee A a | \ father fo a mass
Everyone Welcome | 0 (Rr be ae
cm ) OUR STRUGGLE at:
m 1985 ’
fle e., §\ WILBORN TEMPLE
P sq} Jay and S. Swan
Free of ch P Albany, N.Y.

| (and Floor)
| March 25, 1985 430 - 6:00

~.,

WHAT IS APARTHEID?

Apartheid South Africa is a society which denies basic human
rights to over eighty percent of the total population. Under the
apartheid system, the white minority has total control of the

country. Blacks are not allowed to vote, to buy or sell land, to
move freely or to work or live where they choose. Their lives are

totally controlled by the Afrikaner government which is determined
to preserve its own superiority.

WHAT IS THE UNITED DEMOCRATIC FRONT?

In August, 1983, a multi-racial coalition, the Unitea Democratic
Front (U.D.F.) was formed in South Africa. It was formed to oppose
& new constitution (dispensation) which was put forth by the apartheid
regime. The government of South Africa tries to convince the wor
community that reform is under wie One such"reform" was the estab-
lishment of a new constitution. is "reform" was really just another
mowe by the government to further entrench the status quo. Under the
new constitution, limited representation was granted to mixed race
and Asian peoples but the whites maintained final control - and the
Black majority was totally excluded from any Participation.

The United Democratic Front, a broad based coalition made up of
over 700 organizations representing labor, student, womens, religious,
civic and youth groups, led the opposition to the new constitution.
After the constitutton became law, the U.D.F. continued the struggle

against apartheid. Their major objective now is to rally all anti-
aparthed orces to work for peaceful change.

In the last few months, South African government authorities,
recognizing the broad following of the U.D.F., hap begun to repress

this legal organization. U.D.F. offices have been raided and most of
the top U.D.F. leadership has been arrested.

WHO IS MAFASONE MAROBE?

Mafasone Marobe, who will be speaking in Albany, New York on |
March 25, 1985, is on a two week tour of the United States from South
Africa. Marobe is a member of the Bxecutive Regional Committee of
the United Democratic Front and igs Secretary of the U.D.F. - Transvaal
Region, South Africa. He coordinated the signature campaign in the

Transvaal against the parliamentary elections. Marobe is also an organ-
izer for the General Allied Workers Union {a U.D.F. affiliate).

In the 1970's, Mérobe was elected to the ixecutive Committee of
the Soweto Youth Council. He was &@ member of the now banned Soweto -
Student Representative Council in 1$76. He was defendant in the

Sedition Trials and sentenced in 1977 ~ Marobe served six years on
Robben Island.

The purpose of his tour in the United States is to talk to the

American people about the U.D.F. and about what is happening in South
Africa right now.

If you have any questions about this program, please call (518) 436-0562
: CLaBoR DONATED) oe

S. African decries Reagan policy

By Mary D'Ambrosio

Sratt weiter

Jailed for two months after his last
stint in the US. in late 1984, black
South African leader Mafason Morobe
returned four months after his release
1o again tell the American people that
the Reagan administration bas it all
wrong about South Africa.

Morobe, who also goes by the
surname “Murphy,” met with labor
and the press in Albany

@ Gov. Cuomo protests President
Reagan's message./B-7

Monday and spoke to about 100 people
at Albany's Wilborn Temple Monday
night as part of a three-week tour on a
conditional passport.

While in the US., he learned that
South African government security
police had visited his home at 3 a.m.
one morning looking for him. he told
the audience.

Morobe’s organization, the United
Democratic Front. has faced increas-
ing persecution from the white minori-
ty ruled government since summer,
and 16 of its leaders have been jailed.
according to a release from the Capital
District Coalition Against Apartheid
and Racism

“| almost had to sneak out of South
Africa -- although with my passport,”
Morobe said. He said he was relentless-
ly photographed as he moved through
customs and boarded the plane at the
airport

“At stake is aot onlv my life, but
millions of others.” Morobe said,
adding that he made his speaking trips
because he felt obligated to use his
education and ability to reach Amert-
cans with his concerns for his home-
land and compatriots.

Gar stake is not
only my life, but
millions of
others y

— Mafason Morobe

Morobe once spent six years in jail
on sedition charges, and served jail
“detention” without being charged in
October and November of 1984, after a
September visit to the US., he said.

Now Morobe. who, in khaki pants
and a soft wool sweater, spoke leveily
for more than an hour about horrors
many Americans had heard before.
faces "great personal danger” upon his
return, said Naomi Jaffe of the Capital
District Coalition.

Saying he was barred by law from
openly urging that foreign investors
divest themselves of interests in com-
panies that do business in South Africa,
Morobe argued only that it was a
“fallacy” that blacks would be hurt by
the pullout of American business
interests

“Blacks cannot be any worse off,” he
said
The policy of so-called “constructive

engage’ = « ~ indirect investment in
South an firms — is not limited to
the n 13 borders. he said. It has
‘got 1. ntacles even beyond Preto-

se watt

ria, it has its chains linked up all over
the world.” he said, citing Indonesia
the Caribbean and Central Americ.

Morobe decried President Reagan:
tolerance of the South African govern
ment.

“We are faced with a man wh he.
no regard whatsoever tor human ie
he said of Reagan

He cited US covert aid ‘oe Nicara
guan coniras with the paralle! aif to
the El) Salvadoran government and
said: “I think we are faced with a
hypocrite |

“fm sorry hes still vour pres:
dent.” Morobe said in mock apologs
‘But I think the truth is important once
in awhile.”

Apartheid ~- South Africas peace. of
racial segregation ~ he said. create
“an extremely lucrative market fer
business.

He said the UDF does not adverate a
government that makes polio. boos
on race Its aim he said was fen’
not terrorism

The governor said be had chosen his >|
words carefully for the speech. He said |
to make-a decision on thee» |‘

ie Fi

Brings

ibly worse for

id system of hig
hip in the multirg.
ront,
me * *
After all, 16 leaders of his
claims to seek a pancelist end to South Afri.
Can apartheid, a ready have been jailed on
charges of a crime for which the
i is the 17th, the
rural secretary of the Transvaal region for
orga-
3 Decent Vera Michaeison’of
the Capital District Oalition Against Apart-
heid and Racism.

There are other Signs that su
29-year-old Johannesburg resident is a
marked man. South African police.
ae erephed him as he was

photographs
airport,” Marobe aig
English.

Since he arrived, Morobe said he learned
that South African Security police had Visit.

“That's my language, not MY nationali.
ty,” he said,

* ° ca
For the moment, Moro
aside thought of the danger of returning
home in order o bring to the American
public the bj er proble

pop-

fi young South

can needed only to point to yesterday's
newspapers to illustrate the tragedy of a

Nineteen People killed last Thursday
j ed fire on a crowd of blacks
in Langa Township. Ten more have been
€d since then by police and marauding
blacks in the Langa and Kwanobuhle Town.

roughly 259 people have

Violence prompted by
Srowing dissatisfaction with the poor living

ndards and lack of Political rights for
blacks.

mts the outbreak of
UDF, claimed, remaing committed

oe o . ‘a

violence is Boing to Major role in that, [

think that is for posterity to judge.” he said.

following a Office Brees conference in the
ildin

"”

nizing MY people with
limited d,s of the law, | wil} continue io
do so

group, which |

effect greater ch

Selves within the very
the law.

S. African Apartheid Foe
Struggle to Are

3/26 /§ 3°

ence will not prevail as the only way
ange in his country,
“We've [UDF] tried

We are really

tion,” Marobe Said

Onalized segregation and repression

of blacks in South Africa, he said.

to do is a
government,”

“AIL it [the Reagan administration] Savks
iS apologize for the South African
Morobe said. “It is for the

ry
Divestment iS &@ solution Morobe said he

Could not discuss because talk of it 1S prahi

bited by South

with a financial Stake

istS at the Empire

peech before a Soup of human rights activ.
tate Plaza convention

center yesterday. (See story, Page 10)

ff charges that the UDF

Operates under direct orders from the Soviet

pee last night at

ay and S. §

eT Oe

ee ee

Pea

— buy groceries there

AVE ON DELI HERE N
BISON \)

STICK PEPPERONI

Anti-

ALBANY (AP) = Gov. io M. Cuomo
was cheered yesterday by hundreds of civil-
rights leaders when he said, “We're pro-

ech of divestment in companies that do

+ ¥ *

During his address to the civil rights lead-
ers, Cuomo said that the “recent deaths of
unarmed black South Africans. . . only rein-
force our determination to make sure no

rt of our away funds supports the traves-

y of apartheid.”

While the mention of a divestment pro-
| be drew sustained applause from the au-

ience attending the “state of human rights

saremcetmnnony

Cuomo Proclaims, Then Qualifies

porters after the that it still had to
be determined if the investment of such
public funds contributes to the South Afri-
can policy of racial discrimination.

Cuomo said he expected to receive a re-
port soon from a task force that is investi-
gating the South African divestment issue.

Later, the governor said that he “stood by
every word” of his speech and added, “What
pa Speech Says is exactly what we're

ng.’

“I have a desire for the state to be on

record against apartheid,” said Cuomo after

his speech. “I'm Saying I'm not sure what
form it should take.”

The governor said that he had chosen his
words carefully for the speech. He said he
expected to make a decision on the “com-
plex issue” of divestment after he and the
state Legislature agree on a new state bud-
get for the fiscal year that begins April 1.

The governor noted that those against di-
vesiment claim that it would hurt black
South Africans more than it would help
them, while many black leaders from this
nation as well as from South Africa argue
that it would help eliminate apartheid.

Of the 500 companies that New York
State's §23 billion public employees pension
fund has investments with, about 100 do
business in South Africa, according to state
Comptroller Edward V. Regan. Regan, who
has not estimated how much money the
state has invested with those 100 companies,
has said that while he apartheid, he
doesn't believe divestment would be in the
best interests of the pension fund of which he
is sole trustee. Regan also claims that di-
vestment could hurt the companies in-
volved, many of which employ people in
New York State.

While Regan has issued statements decry-
ing apartheid, Cuomo said that he wanted
“something more than a statement” when it
came to official state policy.

tae 7

Cuomo used the speech to again biast
Reagan for what the governor
said was the pg oe administration's policy
of “ its heels on the renewal of the
v Act” and “dismantling the
t offered people in our ghettos

of escape.”

Calling Reagan's policies enregiene:
ive,” Cuomo said they allow the United
outa” ts eee on og oe oa
era a he uman rights violations
in the Soviet Union while we excuse a mas-
sacre of black South Africans.”

artheid Lyestment Policy
hd York Sta Row oe told

i
on civil ia gone White said that amount was
23 percent hi

“When more people are oo and
there are fewer layoffs, there are fewer
people who believe they have been discri-
minated against unlawfully,” said the com-
missioner.

As in goss past, race discrimination (37.8
percent) and sex discrimination (28.2 per:
cent) Sm oe the list of reasons cited in dis-
criminat compres. Age was cited as
srt gl for 17.9 percent of the com-
plaints.

And while the division has no | power
to order settlements in discrimination cases
involving qeys and lesbians, officials said
the agency began such complaints
in 1984 and is attem to work out volun-
tary settlements. Division officials said that

they have received 17 complaints charging
such discrimination in the private sector.

“ South Atr

»
it

By BRUCE SCRUTON
Knickerbocker News Reporter

Mafason “Murphy” Morobe had to
“sneak” out of his own country,
although his travel papers do not
acknowledge he is a citizen of South
Africa.

When he returns shortly, he faces a
possible prison sentence and probably
police harassment. The harassment, he
told a crowd at the Wilborn Temple in
Albany, has already begun,

The Capital District Coalition
Against Apartheid and Racism spon-
sored the talk.

“About two weeks ago, the secret
police entered my home at 3 a.m.,” he
said Monday night, “They probably had
heard I was home from overseas.”

He is not allowed a South African
passport, only travel papers, since a

Such is the plight of a political
activist in South Africa. “We are faced
with a monster which has painied itself
into a corner and will try ee it
can to get out of that corner,” he said.

Soft-spoken and quiet, Marobe, who
is on a five-city tour of the United
States, said for many years it seemed
to blacks that “the cries of our ~—
were like cries in the wilderness, We
now realize there is some movement
beginning to take place and we are not
alone.”

In his hour-long talk at the Wilborn
Temple in Albany, he said, “The wealth
of the country (South Africa) has
become the monoply of the minority”
and the time has come “to respond to
the state's repression, the denial of

rights, the systematic killing of the
soul of the nation.”

He said the South African govern-.
ment had said different races could not.

live together, but “the UDG is in the
process of proving that (apartheid) is a
failacy. More and more young whites

are joining the UDF; more and
young whites are refusing to joiu the
apartheid army and ROing to jail for it.’

Unlike some other blacks from South
Africa in this area who are advocating
revolt, Morobe said his group was
working for peace and “to build a new

South Africa goverament which will
not consider another man based on his
color, will not consider another man
based on his religion; will not consider
another man based on his creed.”

< ny

MAFASON MOROBE
-» ‘faced with @ monster’

the Capital District Coalition Against Apartheid. and. Kacism, Albany, N.Y.
presents : i. ~

Mafasone Marobe, United Demaratic Front

on tour of the WS. who will Speak about the
Cusrent situalion in apartheid South Africa

Pra .
J & ' M
” fy ” bs»
b) ‘*
< i ’ 2 a ¥
| ; ae » ; ;
‘ ‘ oo
/ : _
L ss >
A, ' i

African National
“- Congress leader, Nelson f
\

\ Mandela, brings a
4 message from her
' father fo a mass

Everyone Welcome oa ‘4 ( 1 a bi rally of over

monday at:
oy 25, 1985 s\ WILBORN TEMPLE
30 pm. wee#) Jay and $. Swan
Free of charee : Albany, N.Y.

Labor Reception |
| N.Y.S.ULT, Headquarters !
| 159 Wolf Rood, Al ny, MY,

| and Floor)

| March 25, 1985 4:30- ssl

WHAT IS APARTHEIDT

Apartheid South Africa is a society which denies basic human
rights to over eighty percent of the total population. Under the
apartheid system, the white minority has total control of the
country. Blacks are not allowed to vote, to buy or sell land, to
move freely or to work or live where they choose. Their lives are

totally controlled by the Afrikaner government which is determined
to preserve its own superiority.

WHAT IS THE UNITED DEMOCRATIC FRONT?

In August, 1983, a multi-racial coalition, the United Democratic
Front (U.D.F.) was formed in South Africa. It was formed to oppose
a new constitution (dispensation) which was put forth by the apartheid
regime. The government of South Africa tries to convince the wor
community that reform is under way. One such"reform" was the estab-
lishment of a new constitution. This "reform" was really just another
mowe by the government to further entrench the status quo. Under the
new constitution, limited representation was granted to mixed race
and Asian peoples but the whites maintained final control - and the
Black majority was totally excluded from any participation.

against apartheid. Their major objective now is to rally all anti-
apartheli orces to work for peaceful change.

In the last few months, South African government authorities,
recognizing the broad following of the U.D.F., hae begun to repress

this legal organization. U.D.F. offices have been raided and most of
the top U.D.F. leadership has been arrested.

WHO IS MAFASONE MAROBE?

Mafasone Marobe, who will be speaking in Albany, New York on
March 25, 1985, is on a two week tour of the United States from South
Africa. Marobe is a member of the Bxecutive Regional Committee of
the United Democratic Front and ig Secretary of the U.D.F. - Transvaal
Region, South Africa. He coordinated the signature campaign in the
Transvaal against the parliamentary elections. Marobe ig also an organ-
izer for the General Allied Workers Union (a U.D.F. affiliate).

In the 1970's, Marobe was elected to the axecutive Committee of
the Soweto Youth Council. He was a member of the now banned Soweto .
Student Representative Council in 1976. He was defendant in the

Sedition Trials and sentenced in 1977 - Marobe served six years on
Robben Island.

The purpose of his tour in the United States is to talk to the

American people about the U.D.F. and about what is happening in South
Africa right now.

If you have any questions about this program, please call (518) 436-0562
: CLaBoR DONATED) —

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