[ January 2000 ] [ February 2000 ] [ March 2000 ] [ April 2000 ] [ May 2000 ] [ June 2000 ] [ July 2000 ] [ August 2000 ] [ September 2000 ] [ October 2000 ] [ November 2000 ] [ December 2000 ]

20 ARRESTED AT GAP PROTEST
By: Janet Slagter

May 6th is a day to remember in Fresno labor rights and free speech history. On that Saturday, seventy peaceful people dared to walk through the Fashion Fair Mall parking lot carrying signs or leaflets, chanting "Hey, hey! Ho, ho! Sweatshop labor’s got to go!" Protesters were a coalition of university, labor, and community groups, led by United Students Against Sweatshops, who broke the silence about the Gap corporation’s use of sweatshop labor in Saipan, Mexico, Russia, Honduras and other locations. The forces of repression met the protesters. A police helicopter patrolled overhead while more than a hundred private and public security forces, some in riot helmets and some in plain clothes, cooperated to silence, remove, and arrest twenty of the demonstrators who refused to desist from exercising their free speech rights.

Security was itching to arrest anyone entering mall property as part of the demonstration. Mike Rhodes, editor of the Community Alliance newsletter, stood with a placard at the main mall entrance to direct participants to assemble on the Shaw Avenue sidewalk. He was immediately approached by the director of mall security and warned to leave or be arrested. Mike replied, "I intend to stand here and exercise my rights to free speech." The security director read the arrest statement and Mike was taken into custody by Fresno city police officers who accompanied the private security guards.

Meanwhile protesters gathered on the public sidewalk and decided to march together to the building’s main entrance. They were carrying posters advertising the Gap’s employment practices and fliers describing workers’ conditions. One man wore a large paper maché Uncle Sam puppet. Even as they walked through the parking lot, security guards singled out individuals and began to read the prepared arrest warning. One group of people bravely decided to risk arrest. They climbed the steps to the entrance and linked arms. Each was wearing a T-shirt with a duct tape letter on the back. Collectively they spelled out "Gap=sweatshop." These people were arrested one by one as supporters chanted, "Down with the Gap, Free Speech!" In a moment of true irony, “Uncle Sam” was arrested and the puppet seized. All were handcuffed and kept standing around for half an hour before they were transported to Ahwanee Middle School to be processed and cited.

At the school the eighteen adults arrested were cited for trespassing. Two women under eighteen were released without citation. One woman who refused to give her name to the police and one man who was not carrying identification were taken downtown and identified through fingerprints, cited, and released.

Despite demonstrators’ completely peaceful demeanor, police were over-prepared for violence and resistance. Besides the helicopter and riot preparations, they had a "PAL" bus and several vans waiting in a cordoned off area of the parking lot to carry demonstrators to Ahwanee Middle School where more police were standing by. Inside the mall, both uniformed and plain-clothes officers followed people around and talked to each other on their cell phones and police radios. One person arrested estimated sixty police at Ahwanee School. Participants and onlookers were amazed at the massive public expenditure for police protection of corporations from people’s speech.

FRESNO BACKGROUND

Owners of the Fashion Fair mall and the GAP want to gag criticism of their corporate practices. As this newsletter reported in its May edition, more than one hundred people met at the Fashion Fair Mall on March 29th and peacefully protested the Gap’s labor policies. When the mall threatened arrests, Fresno police refused to arrest people for carrying signs and distributing leaflets. The protest was so successful, despite a news blackout by the Fresno Bee, that in April, local mall management received word from its corporate headquarters that such an event must never happen again. The mall’s LA lawyers sent letters threatening arrests in future demonstrations to all the organizations that participated in the March action. Mall managers met with the Fresno Police to convince them to enforce mall policy. Anti-sweatshop organizers also met repeatedly with mall security and the Fresno Police to negotiate another peaceful protest. But Fresno Police reversed their position and agreed that when the mall’s private security guards performed citizens’ arrests on demonstrators for trespassing, the Fresno Police Department would honor those arrests.

THE ANTI-SWEATSHOP CAMPAIGN

In a two-year old campaign, human rights organizations and unions are calling on GAP Inc, owner of Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic labels and the second largest clothing manufacturer and retailer in the world, to STOP its sweatshop abuses around the world. GAP Inc. can begin by settling the Saipan Lawsuit and agreeing to include a "Living Wage" in their Code of Vendor Conduct, and agreeing to have independent monitors watch their factories for compliance with wage, hour, and working conditions requirements. In January, 1999, Global Exchange and other organizations filed suit against GAP among other clothing corporations for their labor and human rights abuses in the US territory of Saipan. GAP is one of only four corporations that have not signed the agreement and the largest buyer of Saipan sweatshop products. In Saipan, workers are charged thousands of dollars in recruitment fees for low-paying jobs, forced to work overtime without overtime pay, and forbidden to organize unions. Millard Drexler, GAP Inc. CEO, made $172.8 million last year. This is approximately $60,000 an hour. Compare this with the 28 cents that workers in Tehuacan, Mexico make, the 11 cents that workers in Russia make, or the $3.05 that workers in Saipan make. GAP can afford to pay their workers a living wage!

WHAT’S NEXT? KEEPING THE PRESSURE ON THE GAP

At a recent planning meeting, participants decided to continue protesting GAP Inc.’s practices. The next informational picket will be held Saturday, June 3rd at noon. This time picketers will gather on the sidewalk at the Gap’s Old Navy store in Clovis. Its location is 115 Shaw Avenue, just east of Villa. It is time to call attention to Old Navy as well as Gap stores. The store’s location on a public sidewalk means people can exercise their rights to picket and speak out. To prepare for this event, people interested in participating are invited to a sign-making workshop at the Fresno Center for Non-Violence, 985 North Van Ness, and June 1st at 6:30 PM. Another tactic being pursued is to secure tables at Fashion Fair Mall from which to distribute literature about sweatshop practices and collect signatures on petitions to end the Gap’s sweatshops. United Students Against Sweatshops will apply for tables for Sunday, June 4^th and calls on other individuals and community groups to apply for tables on successive days. USAS will provide literature and petitions to anyone interested in joining the campaign to turn up the pressure on the GAP. Call (559) 233-3978 for information.

WHAT’S NEXT? COURT DATE

Everyone cited has been given a court date of July 5th at 8:30 AM. Protesters are urging community supporters to attend the hearing. They are considering alternatives. If charges are pressed they plan to plead innocent to the trespassing charge and ask for a jury trial. Will they defend themselves? Rely on legal counsel? Supporters with legal knowledge, time, and an interest in fighting for free speech rights are encouraged to lend a hand in the case. This is an opportunity to defend workers and the freedom of speech and assembly!

WHAT ABOUT FREE SPEECH?

Do we have free speech rights in shopping centers? According to a US Supreme Court decision (Pruneyard) in 1980, we have rights to distribute leaflets and circulate petitions in malls, which have become the new town plazas. Malls, however, can set "time, place, and manner" rules that limit access. Fashion Fair’s extremely limiting rules are obviously designed to be so restrictive and burdensome that political activists decide it is not worth the effort. Their most restrictive rules require that activity be confined to a table they provide, that there can be no more than two professional quality placards taped to the table, that no sign or leaflet interfere with the commercial purpose of the mall or its tenants, that the name of every person who will participate will be listed on the application, that the person who signs the application signs for the behavior of all other participants, and that the mall must approve the content of all signs, leaflets, and petitions to be used. Many of these provisions need to be challenged and the defense of these eighteen people can become an opportunity to lift these restrictions on speech for all shopping centers in California!

For Photos of the GAP Demonstration, visit the GAP Photo Gallery

EDITORIAL
By Mike Rhodes

Why were 20 nonviolent protestors arrested and detained in front of Fashion Fair last month? For handing out fliers and holding signs? This outrageous affront to free speech must not go unchallenged. If we allow Fashion Fair to get away with this attack on our First Amendment rights no group or individual will be safe to express themselves at this mall. Fashion Fair will threaten and arrest anyone who does not conform to their draconian rules. What are those rules? Fashion Fair believes they have the right to:

• Determine time place and manner of any demonstration. They can limit the demonstration to two persons and give them a table in the basement bathroom if they want to.
• Censor all handouts and signs. They will not allow you to say anything about Fashion Fair or their tenants. That means NO mention of The Gap on any handouts or signs. Anyone holding a sign with a stick could be arrested on weapons charges!
• Demand a list of all participants at your event and hold you liable for their actions.

These restrictions on free speech and our First Amendment are not acceptable! If Fashion Fair prevails in this case their security guards will define the boundary of our freedom. I give you the words of Utah Phillips:

Federal and state law clearly gives citizens a right to hold informational pickets at malls like Fashion Fair. The issue is how many restrictions are we going to allow a corporation like Fashion Fair place on our right of Free Speech.

The mall has, in many ways, taken the place of the old town square where citizens would meet, socialize, and discuss political issues. It is outrageous that Fashion Fair can call in a massive presence of private security forces backed up by the Fresno Police department to threaten our First Amendment Rights. The Fresno Police should have been at Fashion Fair to defend us from the "Fascist Fair" security forces who were trying to subvert the Constitution.

The Community Alliance believes this struggle for Free Speech is a major issue for the progressive movement in Fresno and calls on all our allies to support The Gap 20! If charges are not dropped your presence at the trial and support of the defendants will be critical.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Very soon there will be an election to recall all members of the Fresno Free College Foundation Board of Directors. That most people in the valley are unaware of the recall is evidence of just how badly one is needed.

It's likely you haven t heard news of the recall on KFCF, the radio station the Foundation holds license to, nor is it likely you will hear much more than what you read in the first line above. What's missing is any open discussion of the important issues surrounding the reasons for the elections.

In March, the Community Radio Coalition (CRC) gathered over 150 valid signatures (significantly more than required) to call for simple elections. However, the FFCF board majority, for whatever reason, resisted at first, then later conceded, but only to the much longer and more cumbersome, two step process of first recalling the board and then holding elections to fill the vacancies.

The Central Issue Privately Owned, Public Radio: It's time for change, and well past time for residents of Fresno and the San Joaquín Valley to have their own, real community radio station. For all of its nearly 25 year history, KFCF 88.1FM has been a privately owned, public radio station . Though the Foundation holds the station's license and is supposed to manage it, KFCF's transmitting equipment, studios, studio equipment, and residential property on which the studios stand are all owned by one person. Following are some of the problems associated with a privately owned KFCF:

• The owner is a member of the board, and is also KFCF's program director a post he alone has held for the station's 25 year history. Attempts by past and current board members to amend these direct conflicts of interest have been deflected by the owner and his friends on the board.

• The owner/board member/program director refuses community calls for local programming and has denied diverse volunteer involvement.

• The owner resists all attempts at broader community input and involvement, and has subverted the will of past and current board members who attempted to make KFCF responsive to community needs for local programming.

• The owner alone decides the station's programming, allowing his closest friends access to KFCF at the near exclusion of the rest of the community. (CRC pressure to increase local community access has produced some recent, limited success.)

• Last November, the owner's friends (and KFCF programmers) took control of the FFCF Board of Directors in a legal, if less than forthright, proxy driven election.

The first step toward change is by recalling the current board. Only after a successful recall will FFCF voting members then have the opportunity to select candidates who share a clear vision for bringing about long overdue, positive and democratic change to the FFCF Board.

CRC candidates wish to see KFCF evolve into a genuine community radio station that serves its local community with important, local programming while preserving its vitally important programming link to KPFA for as long as the Berkeley station's service is available. CRC candidates have faith that KFCF's listeners will support their community radio station in its drive to become free of private ownership, faith that listeners will support a move to new community headquarters (somewhere in the Tower), and that KFCF listeners want to volunteer and help guide their station.

Please vote to recall, and please ask for fair and open discussion of the issues on KFCF. If the recall is successful, please vote for candidates who will work for KFCF's independence and its evolution toward becoming a real community radio station.

Thank you,
Gunnar Jensen, member
Community Radio Coalition, 264-6059

LABOR AND COMMUNITY LEADERS STAND UP FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS

Following a successful campaign by Los Angeles janitors to raise the wages and living standards of nearly 9,000 immigrant workers, union leaders will hold a hearing on the rights of immigrant workers in Fresno on Tuesday, June 6. The hearing will be held at the Fresno Fairgrounds, Art Building and starts at 5 p.m.

The hearing is an opportunity for Central California immigrant workers, advocates and union members to convene and discuss the new national AFL-CIO immigration policy passed in February. The hearing planned for Fresno is expected to draw close to a thousand of workers, community members, religious leaders, and elected officials.

The San Joaquin Valley represents one of the largest concentrations of immigrants in the nation. These mostly unorganized workers toil in all industries including construction, manufacturing, agricultural, and services. They are often paid minimum wage with no benefits.

The landmark resolution of the AFL-CIO calls for reforms that will protect workplace rights and freedoms, and hold employers accountable when they exploit immigrant workers. These reforms include a new amnesty program, repeal of employer sanctions, and strengthening the right to organize for immigrant workers. The current immigration system has led to discrimination and does not punish employers who exploit undocumented workers, "thus denying labor rights for all workers," the national AFL-CIO Executive Council statement said.

California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski will moderate the hearing. Joining him will be: Eliseo Medina, Vice President, California Labor Federation and Service Employees International Union and Arturo Rodriquez, President, United Farm Workers of America.

For more information contact the Community Alliance at (559) 233-3978.

Calendar of Events for June 2000

Thursday, June 1 • 6:30 p.m.
Planning meeting for The Gap demonstration at the Fresno Center for Nonviolence, 985 N Van Ness. Sign making, strategy, etc.

Saturday, June 3 • 9 a.m.
The Kennedy Club will be meeting at 4247 N Thorne (corner of Ashlan and Thorne). The meeting will include a panel discussion on What it takes to win in November . Leaders of the discussion will be Ronnie McNair, chair Fresno County Democratic Central Committee; Billie MacDougall, President (nominee) of the Fresno County Democratic Women s Club, and Ray Ensher President of the Kennedy Club of the San Joaquin. Coffee and pastries are available beginning at 9 a.m. with a brief business meeting and program beginning at 9:30 a.m.. The Kennedy Club is open to members of any political party. For details call President Ray Ensher at 439-8140.

Saturday, June 3 • Starts at 6 a.m.
YARD SALE: The Fresno Nonviolence Center annual fundraiser, 985 N Van Ness. Please collect your disposable treasures and drop off Friday afternoon (June 2) or call Angela at 435-6383 for pick-up. Volunteers needed both Friday p.m. and Saturday a.m.. For more information about the Fresno Center for Nonviolence see their web page at: http://www.centerfornonviolence.org//

Saturday, June 3 • Noon
Anti-sweatshop protest will be held at the Gap's Old Navy store, 115 Shaw Avenue in Clovis, just east of Villa. Call (559) 233-3978 for information.

Sunday, June 4
On Sunday June 4, 2000, Fresno Stonewall GLBT Pride Parade and Festival will take place in the Tower District. The parade line up begins at 9 a.m. at the DMV on Olive and Weber and the parade procession starts at 10a.m. down Olive to the Tower Theatre and on to Fulton Ave. where the festival grounds is located. The Fresno Stonewall Pride Committee formed 3 years ago and took over the Parade and Festival to stay in the spirit of that historical event June 27, 1969 in Greenwich Village, New York at the Stonewall Inn. New York Police raids were conducted at the Stonewall on a weekly basis. However, that particular evening the patrons had all they were going to take from NYPD. After so many beatings and unjustified harassments they drew the line and started to fight back. While the crowds inside were protesting, a crowd of about two to three hundred onlookers gathered outside, surrounded police and paddy wagons and chanted, "We aren't going to take this anymore". The raid on the Stonewall Inn set off 3 days of confrontation with police. For more information call 485-7884 or 233-6805. Email: fresnostonewall@pacbell.net

Sunday, June 4 • 3:00 p.m.
Faith Petric and Peter Kessler in concert in the Wolk Garden followed by potluck and jam session. Tickets $10. For more information call Pat at 431-3653.

Tuesday, June 6 • 5 p.m.
The AFL-CIO is hosting several hearings throughout the country to address the issue of amnesty for undocumented workers. There will be workers, activists, immigrants, and representatives from the AFL-CIO attending to discuss the proposed amnesty plan and strategies for implementation. The meeting will be held at the Fresno Fairgrounds, Arts Building. For more information call Cruz Phillips at (661) 979-5854.

Tuesday, June 6 • 7 p.m.
Remember the Battle in Seattle? Three of our intrepid demonstrators went on to Washington D.C. to continue the protests. George Elfie Ballis (with new video footage), Mark Stout and Justin Ruben will report on their adventures and impressions - and suggestions for action. This will also be our chance to say good-bye (and thanks) to Justin, who is leaving to further his education. Event takes place at the Fresno Center for Nonviolence, 985 N Van Ness.

Wednesday, June 7 • 6 - 8:45 p.m.
The Fresno Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides requested that the Department of Health Services hold another hearing on the issue of DBCP. The hearing will be at the Fresno County Library downtown. This pesticide and soil fumigant, banned over twenty years ago because it is carcinogenic and causes male sterility, contaminates our drinking water. For more information, contact Fresno Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides at 559-227-6134.

Thursday, June 8 • 7 p.m.
The Fresno County Green Party invites you to its County Council meeting at the Fresno Center for Nonviolence, 985 N Van Ness Av (S of Olive). Social Justice, Grassroots Democracy, Nonviolence, and Ecological Wisdom. The Green Party will be preparing for extensive outreach and voter registration during the upcoming summer months. Call 497-1724 for details. Green Party events: http://www.greens.org/cal/fresno

Saturday, June 10 • 9:30 a.m.
Fresno Center for Nonviolence monthly meeting at 985 N Van Ness. For more information about the Fresno Center for Nonviolence see their web page at: http://www.centerfornonviolence.org//

Wednesday, June 14 • 7-9 p.m.
Fund-raiser reception for Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate Medea Benjamin. Call 497-1724 or visit their web site at: http://www.greens.org/cal/fresno for details.

Thursday, June 15
Deadline for submissions to the July issue of the Labor Community Alliance newsletter.

Thursday, June 15 • 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
This month's Community Health Care Roundtable will feature guests Sister Ruth Marie Nickerson, CEO of St. Agnes Medical Center and Jim Aldredge from the Kenneth L. Maddy Institute of Public Affairs. The Roundtable takes place at the College Community Congregational Church located at 5550 N. Fresno Street in Fresno (at Browning between Barstow and Bullard). Free continental breakfast is always included. Please call Fresno Metro Ministry at 485-1416 for reservations.

Thursday, June 15 • 6:30 p.m.
Planning meeting to discuss participation by Fresno area groups in the Democratic National Convention protest this summer in Los Angeles. For more information call 452-0277 (ask for Dallas) or E-mail Fresnofnb@yahoo.com, web site: http://D2KLA.org/

Thursday, June 15 • 7:30 p.m.
Death Penalty Focus meeting at the Fresno Center for Nonviolence, 985 N Van Ness. For more information contact Maria Telesco at: <martel0000@aol.com> or visit their web site at: http://www.fresnoalliance.com/focus/

Saturday, June 17 • 9 - 11 a.m.
Women s International League for Peace and Freedom monthly meeting at the Fresno Center for Nonviolence, 985 N Van Ness. Elections of new Board Members. Call Zay at 227-2133 for more information.

Saturday, June 17 • 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sara Hedgepeth-Harris and Hal Harris are Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte hosts for this fabulous party combining a sumptuous BBQ and benefit auction to raise money for political activities. Dinner will include BBQ Tri Tip, Chinese chicken salad, Vietnamese eggrolls with chilled Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Tickets are available at $25 per guest, non-refundable and not tax deductible. Please contact Nancy Jessen at 488-4919 or Vinh Ngo at 488-4913 for more information about this event.

Tuesday, June 20 • 3:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Public hearing: U.S. Forest Service roadless area protection plan. YOU are needed to tell the Forest Service to plug the loopholes that would allow continued commercial logging in wild roadless areas and that excludes our largest national forest, the Tongass, in southeast Alaska. Right wing extractive interests are fighting to minimize the protection of wild areas and your voice is need to counter them. Clovis Veterans Memorial Building, 5th and Hughes in Clovis. For more info, call Bob Brister at 641-7427.

Friday, June 23 • 5 - 6 p.m.
Street Heat on KFCF 88.1 FM featuring Labor and Community activists.

Sunday, June 25 • 5 p.m.
Fresno Center for Nonviolence will have its 8^th Anniversary Celebration, 985 N Van Ness. Keynote Speaker will be Dan Rosenberg. They will be presenting the “Way of Peace” awards. Cultural entertainment, including the Baha’i Youth Dancers.

Monday, June 26 • 6:30 p.m.
The Community Alliance meeting at 985 N Van Ness. Call 226-0477 for details.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tuesday, July 4 • 9 a.m. - 12 Noon
Celebration of Diversity at O’neill Park, CSUF Campus (Barstow between Maple and Chestnut). The Interfaith Alliance of Central California is hosting a brunch honoring the racial and religious pluralism that makes America great. Call 224-1630 for details.

ONGOING ACTIVITIES/PROGRAMS

Every Saturday • 1-2 p.m.
Food Not Bombs feeds the hungry near the Olive Avenue entrance to Roeding Park. Volunteers are needed to help cook food Saturday mornings, 9:30 a.m. at Sierra Vista United Methodist Church, corner of Maple and Illinois. Donations of good or almost good produce can be dropped off also. They are always in need of servers at the park. For more information call 266-5305 Or 452-0277 (ask for Dallas).

Every 4^th Saturday • 8 p.m.
Cultural Coffee House at The Gaia House, 1009 N Wilson.

Sunday • 1 p.m.
Food Not Bombs feeds the hungry near the Olive entrance at Roeding Park. They cook at 9:30am at the Gaia House 1009 N. Wilson, for more info: 266-5305.

Monday - Friday • 9 a.m.
Democracy Now! on radio KFCF 88.1 FM. Amy Goodman, award-winning veteran journalist, appropriately subtitles this show "The Exception to the Rulers" as the program covers news of the nation and world from a progressive viewpoint, with focus on the history and economics of workers, women and people of color around the world.

Tuesday • 8:30 p.m.
"El Despertar Indígena" is a half hour television show of the Frente Indígena Oaxaqueño Binacional in collaboration with KNXT channel 49. Discussion and information of a variety of issues that impact the life of general public, in particular the indigenous farm workers communities in the Central Valley. The show is on every Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. at KNXT channel 49 and repeats on Sundays at 6:30 a.m.

Every Tuesday and Thursday • 7-9 pm
St. Benedict Catholic Worker has been feeding the hungry in front of Fresno County Jail (Fresno and M Sts.) for almost 2 years now. Volunteers are needed to help prepare the food on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 2pm. The Catholic Worker is located at 4022 N. Cheryl Ave. Fresno (Cross streets are Marks and Ashlan). Volunteers are also needed to help serve in front of the jail. Donations of food are ALWAYS welcome. For further information call Bryan or Liza Apper at 229-6410.

Every Wednesday • 7:30 p.m.
David Bacon’s Labor Journal on KFCF 88.1 FM. David Bacon’s experience as a union organizer and his world-wide contacts in the labor community make him uniquely qualified as a journalist specializing in issues and concerns of working people. He covers a broad range of labor news and issues locally, nationally and globally.

Every Friday • 1 p.m.
Radio Grito / La voz del pueblo: Los viernes a la una hasta las tres de la tarde en 900a.m., KBIF. El único programa que se trata de los temas muy importantes y pertenentes a los campesinos, a las campesinas y a sus familias. El programa ofrece información acerca de la salud, vivienda, labor, educación e inmigración. Para hacer preguntas y comentarios en vivo durante el programa, llame al número 1-800-98-GRITO / 734-7486.

MATCHING GRANT FOR TEEN SUCCESS IN CENTRAL CALIFORNIA - $100,000

Teen Success is a specialized project of Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte (PPMM) that is designed for pregnant and parenting teenagers ages 13-18 years and their children. It was developed to achieve the following objectives:1- Prevent a second pregnancy until age 19 or completion of school2- Motivate teens to stay in school3- Link teen mothers and their children with available community resources4- Teach short and long term life planning skills5- Assist in the development of independence and responsible behavior. This program supports and motivates teens to set and achieve goals over time and allows teens to develop healthy alternatives to having additional children during adolescence. By combining education and information with group support and interaction, teens learn to identify barriers to reaching goals, gain the skills and motivation they need to complete education, vocational training and plan for economic self-sufficiency for themselves and for their children. Participants of this project are also linked with PPMM's available array of low-cost reproductive health care services including family planning and pre-natal care. Since the program began in 1990, a total of 268 teens have participated in the groups with a total of only 11 documented repeat pregnancies (4% of total participants). This statistic is remarkable considering the fact that nearly one in five teenagers who experience a premarital pregnancy become pregnant again within a year, and more than 33% have a repeat pregnancy within two years. Sixty-one (23%) of program participants are known to have gone to higher education. For more information about this worthwhile program, please call Public Affairs/Development office at 488-4913 or 488-4919.

DBCP UPDATE from FresCAMP

The Fresno Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides requested that the Department of Health Services hold another hearing on the issue of DBCP. The hearing is set for Wednesday, June 7, from 6-8:45 p.m., at the Fresno County Library downtown. This pesticide and soil fumigant, banned over twenty years ago because it is carcinogenic and causes male sterility, contaminates our drinking water. Lawsuits in the 1980s against Shell, Dow and Occidental provided monies to filter DBCP in Fresno to the current allowable level. The DHS now recommends that this level remain the same, though their studies show that if the level of DBCP in our water were lowered, fewer people would get cancer. The DHS claims it is not "cost effective" to change the standard, even though it is certain that the chemical companies responsible for polluting our water would be responsible for the costs incurred to clean it up. The state study also does not take into consideration the effects of the current level upon infants, children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems, nor the effects of multiple-risk factors.

The June 7th hearing is a vital opportunity to publicly pressure the DHS and Governor Davis into reconsidering the standard for DBCP. The first hearing, held on May 2, showed that these state officials believe they can get away with anything in the San Joaquin Valley--they scheduled the hearing during the day when few people can attend, and they provided no Spanish translator nor a transcriber to ensure that public comments would be carefully considered and become part of the public record. On top of all that, they closed the hearing prior to the advertised ending 3:30 p.m. time, leaving those who showed up after 2 p.m. with no opportunity to comment.

We need to fill the hearing room with people who want to see DBCP removed from our water. Right now the Governor and the DHS see no reason to offend the corporations responsible for polluting our water by forcing them to pay to clean it up further. We need to convince those in power otherwise by letting him know that we are aware and that we are willing to take action. If you don't want to speak at the hearing, you can bring or sign statements that FresCAMP will make available for you so that your views will be considered.

The chemical companies have been soliciting support for the current state recommendation by funding their own studies and then lobbying state officials and physicians' associations with their "results." They have even presented their assertions that the current level of DBCP is safe at dinners they held for medical professionals. If you want to let our state officials know that you disagree with their business-as-usual recommendation about DBCP because it puts our health and well-being at risk and protects chemical companies instead, call, write, fax or email to David Spath, Division Chief, Drinking Water and Environmental Management, PO Box 942732, Mail Station 216, Sacramento, CA 94234-7320, 916-322-2308/fax: 916-323-9869, dspath@dhs.ca.gov; Kevin Riley, Deputy Director, California Department of Health Services, 714 P St., Rm 1492, Sacramento, CA 95814, 916-657-1493/fax: 916-657-3089; Governor Gray Davis, State Capitol Building, Sacramento, CA 95814, 916-445-2841/fax: 916-445-4633, graydavis@gov.ca.gov, Diana Bánta, Director, California Department of Health Services, 714 P St., Rm. 1253, Sacramento California 95814, 916-657-1425/fax: 916-657-5183, and Alexis Milea, California Department of Health Services, 2151 Berkeley Way, Room 461, Berkeley, CA 94704, 510-540-2177/fax: 510-540-2181, amilea@dhs.ca.gov.

For more information, contact Fresno Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides at 559-227-6134.

Fresno Center for Nonviolence

YARD SALE, June 3: This annual event is a crucial contributor to our solvency. It is an easy, and enjoyable, way to support the Center's work. Please help by: donating goods, especially non-clothing items like furnishings, plants, linens, etc.; sorting and pricing (from noon to 9 p.m. on Friday the 2^nd); setting up/selling/cleaning up from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Even an hour or two of your time will help. Call Angela at 435-6383 for details.

ANNIVERSARY: We've made it another year! Join us in celebrating the Center's presence as a promulgator of peace and cooperation. Dan Rosenberg (candidate for the House of Representatives) will be our keynote speaker. We have tentative commitments for cultural contributions by the Baha'i Youth Workshop dancers and Rondalla. Catered, as usual, by Food Not Bombs (with special additions for more delicate palates promised by an anonymous Board member.) And, or course, we will be presenting this year's winners of the Way of Peace Awards.

WASHINGTON REPORT-BACK, Tuesday, June 6 (in lieu of 2nd Tuesday) at 7 p.m.: Remember the Battle in Seattle? Three of our intrepid demonstrators went on to Washington D.C. to continue the protests. George Elfie Ballis (with new video footage), Mark Stout and Justin Ruben will report on their adventures and impressions--and suggestions for action. This will also be our chance to say good-bye (and thanks) to Justin, who is leaving to further his education.

PEACE CHALLENGE WINNERS: At a ceremony graciously hosted at City Hall by the Fresno Human Relations Commission, winners of our first Peace Challenge were recognized and awarded cash prizes. Top prize of $600 went to Gaia House for their wheelchair-accessible garden project. $200 was awarded to the Baha'i Youth Workshop for their self-choreographed dances on peace themes. Team Azean of Duncan Polytechnical High School won $100 for their video project aimed at bridging the divide between immigrant parents and their American-born children. And the Peer Communications Class of Fresno High received $50 for their work towards a booklet exploring Fresno's cultural differences. Thanks are due to the planning committee (Victor McLane, Valta Pointer, Pat Sigala, Marcella Oesterhaus, Robert Valett, Vincent Lavery); the judges (Lucile Wheaton, Kathy Garabed, Dalton Reimer); to chairperson Gail Gaston and secretary Phyllis Overstreet of the Human Relations Commission for their help in planning the reception; and to Charles Walton of San Jose who provided fiscal sponsorship.

Micro-radio--Gunnar Jensen has organized a group that will be filing an application with the FCC for a license and frequency to do community programming from a low-power station. The Center has agreed to act as fiscal agent and applicant-of-record. Stay tuned for more information.

Wheelchair Project--Patrick Young reports plans to take buses and supplies to Haiti, Cuba and Mexico over the next months. His work was recently recognized by a $10,000 donation--well-earned and well-used.

Black-White Friends--continues meeting, dealing with issues like reparations for slavery (and Jim Crow, and plain old institutional discrimination). Members are still eager to make presentations about their experiences together. Contact Richard at 266-2559 if interested.

Mumia--The last-ditch effort to save the life of Mumia Abu-Jamal (convicted in a sham trial of killing a policeman, and now on Death Row) goes on. New Board member Jean Kennedy-Douglas led a contingent to a big rally in San Francisco. on May 13th, and will continue raising awareness and funds with reggae events and informational presentations. To join in the effort, call Jean at 291-4948.

THE WELCH REPORT, May 12, 2000
Jack H. Welch, M.D.

NATIONAL MISSILE DEFENSE

A multibillion-dollar system designed to protect the US against a ballistic missile attack by a "rogue" state could be defeated by simple countermeasures and should not be built, a panel of prominent US scientists said yesterday.

"The panel, affiliated with the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, concluded that the Pentagon's planned anti-missile shield would be unable to cope with a warhead that subdivides into hundreds of bomblets, a likely scenario in a chemical or biological attack." (Fresno Bee April 12, 2000)

Last year Congress voted to move ahead with construction and testing of national missile defense (NMD), a retooling of the ill-conceived Star Wars program envisioned by Ronald Reagan.

To date the Pentagon has conducted two (of 19 originally planned) NMD tests. In the first in October 1999 the interceptor missile hit its target, although the incoming missile was moving slowly, and the interceptor knew in advance when and where the aggressor launch would take place, thereby simplifying its targeting. In the second test in January 2000, costing $100m, the interceptor missed, foiled by a plumbing leak. A third test is scheduled this spring after which the Clinton administration is to decide whether to deploy the system.

The President's decision will be based on four considerations:

• There is no evidence indicating that the system will work;

• NMD does not address the greatest threats to our national security: accidental nuclear missile attack from Russia, "backpack nukes", a biological weapons attack, or individual acts of terrorism. No nation, however, rogue or otherwise, could expect to launch a nuclear attack on the US without provoking retaliatory measures that would be devastating;

• The worst impact of NMD deployment would be the abrogation of the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty, a cornerstone of arms control. Even if the Russians agree to modifications in the ABM Treaty, they then might well develop countermeasures to NMD;

• Since its inception missile defense has cost the US $120b, with remarkably little to show for it. Taxpayer money is better spent on such preventive programs as dismantling nuclear weapons.

The US sells the NMD as purely "defensive". However, the Pentagon space policy paper of July 1999 presents the vision of a Space Command using missile defense to help the US military conduct warfare in space. The missile defense revival has been driven by campaign contributions and an intense lobbying campaign from the defense industry.

Seven Democratic Senators, including Senators Harkin, Leahy, Kerry and Boxer, have urged President Clinton to delay the scheduled decision to deploy, calling for substantial further testing. Some Republican Senators, also, have advocated delay. Our European allies are endorsing delay or expressing outright opposition to the project. ACTION: urge President Clinton not to build a missile defense system. Write our local newspaper, pointing out that NMD as proposed is 1) technically unproven, 2) inappropriate for our greatest security threats, 3) treacherous for arms control, and 4) hugely expensive. (Sources: Physicians for Social Responsibility Reports Winter 2000; "Because People Matter" April 2000; California Peace Action March. 28, 2000).

THE CRISIS AT KFCF

In 1998, the Fresno Free College Foundation Board of Directors adopted the following mission statement in observance of its thirtieth anniversary:

The Foundation has sponsored community organizations dedicated to humanitarian activities, civil liberties and the arts, providing a non-profit umbrella for supporting their work in the community and beyond. Some of these are the Ananda Fund, which provides scholarships and aid for children in India, the Spectrum Gallery of fine art photography, the Phillip Stephens Fund for handicapped college students, and the William Saroyan Society.

KFCF now celebrates twenty-five years of broadcasting, reaching into communities in the San Joaquin Valley and the Sierra Nevada foothills. We are dedicated to the principles that the health and well-being of the community are measured by the respect it shows for the civil, intellectual and artistic freedom of its citizens, and that the exercise of this freedom enriches each individual and society at large.

Now, KFCF is in perhaps the greatest crisis in our history. This crisis may determine the future of the station's programming, management, and financial viability.

KFCF has provided a venue for thousands of hours of locally produced programming. These programs have featured and been produced by local artists, writers, political and social activists.

Local programs have included live broadcasts of music events and community forums on public issues, as well as programs produced at our studios such as interviews, documentaries, dramatic productions, live radio plays and community events calendars.

We have also been a window to the broader world of human endeavor by broadcasting the unique and excellent programming of KPFA. In the recent past we have sponsored many public lectures featuring prominent speakers and issues, including:

• Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now;

• Larry Bensky, producer of Sunday Salon;

• William Mandel, activist and author;

• Jennifer Stone, literary radio host;

• Matthew Lasar, Pacifica Radio historian;

• Laurie Garrett, Pulitzer Prize winning science reporter,

• Helen Caldicott, physician and activist;

• Howard Zinn, author of the People's History of the United States,

• and many more.

KFCF's broadcast schedule includes 87% programming originating from KPFA, and 13% from Fresno. KFCF’s local shows include programs on environmental affairs, gay and lesbian issues, local poetry, labor and social justice issues. Our local programming includes a diversity of jazz, classical, folk, soul, blues and space/ambient genres.

KFCF provides public service broadcasts of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors meetings, involving political discussions and decisions important to local citizens. For a complete schedule of programs see page 14 of this newsletter.

One of the major issues involved in the current crisis has to do with the mix of local versus KPFA-originated programs. Local programming has always been a sensitive issue for many of our listeners. At KFCF we do not make programming decisions lightly, because we care very much about what our subscribers want to hear.

We recently conducted a comprehensive listener survey, mailed to subscribers and distributed at community meetings, in order to find out specifically what people listen to, and how much local versus KPFA programming was desired. About 200 (of approximately 1100) subscribers responded to the survey. Thirty one percent of the respondents preferred more locally produced programs and less from KPFA. Forty-seven percent wanted fewer local shows or no change, and 20% did not respond to that question. Written comments from those who wanted more local programming expressed a desire for more local public affairs and arts programs.

KFCF takes seriously the survey results and the many listener comments from local community meetings. We invited program proposals from people in the community, and have received about twenty-five so far. The Chair of the programming subcommittee, Catherine Campbell, never forwarded any recommendations to the FFCF Board.

We are ready to begin moving ahead with some of those proposals. KFCF welcomes new local programs, but producing local radio programs is not an easy task. Listeners desire, and expect, high quality, well produced programming.

Our financial, physical and staff resources are limited. KFCF has one paid staff member and a core of skilled volunteers who donate time to the ongoing station operations. We exist on a shoestring budget, from month to month. We receive all of our funds from listener-sponsors and a few benefit events. Potential programmers need to be trained and supported. KFCF is willing and able to do that, but it has to be done carefully and with due consideration to available time and resources.

Which of the current KPFA programs would be replaced with local programming? There is no easy answer! One person's favorite KPFA program may be the show that another person would rather do without. In fairness to our subscribers, the people who support KFCF, we must be very careful in making programming decisions. To do otherwise would be unfair to the community and financially unsound.

At the January meeting of the Board of Directors, the Program Director, Rand Stover, brought up a motion to adopt several of the proposed new programs for consideration. Rand has served as KFCF Program Director since his appointment in 1977 by the Foundation's Board. As such it is his duty to bring programming ideas to the Board for approval. These proposals included an arts/music magazine, a youth perspectives show, a program featuring local African-Americans, a literary magazine, and programs produced by the Center for Nonviolence, the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, and local environmental activists.

Although the majority of the Board supported these programs in concept, a small and vocal minority - members of the Community Radio Coalition - opposed their adoption and was able to coerce the Board to delay their approval. It was unfortunate that those with their own narrow political objectives were able to deprive the community of desirable local programming. Those and other program proposals will be considered at a future meeting and, hopefully, be approved in a spirit of constructive cooperation.

Another critical issue is access to the KFCF studio facility. For the past twenty-five years local programming has been produced at the studio built and maintained by KFCF's Engineer, Rand Stover, at his own expense, and by his prodigious volunteer effort.

Over the years he has donated equipment amounting to tens of thousand dollars to KFCF. He maintains the on-air studio and the KFCF transmitter, contributing his own time and money. When the KFCF transmitter burned up 18 months ago, he generously spent $10,000 of his own money to buy a replacement transmitter and is still awaiting full reimbursement. Without such dedication and commitment, KFCF would not have been able to get on the air, or stay on the air.

Our current on-air studio was not designed for heavy use. To facilitate more local programming, and for the convenience of staff and volunteer programmers, KFCF is currently building another broadcast studio in our Tower District office. This is another step toward greater public access and local program production.

However, the Board of Directors has been forced by 5% of the membership into having an election on whether to remove the entire Board. A minority of the Board, and the Community Radio Coalition are unhappy with the results of the November 1999 FFCF Annual Meeting. At that meeting, Directors who are strongly committed to fiscal responsibility, supporting KPFA in their struggle, and keeping KPFA programming on the KFCF airwaves were elected. Also, KFCF subscribers were made eligible as members.

The CRC refers to “shocking tactics” used by Foundation members to “gain control of the Board”. These “shocking tactics” were the use of about a dozen proxies representing other Foundation members, as permitted in both the Foundation’s by-laws and state law. In fact, how to use proxies was openly discussed in a meeting between various parties involved and a local lawyer before the Annual Meeting. This was not done in secret. The proxies represented the wishes of Foundation members who could not attend due to distance or other commitments.

Representational democracy might be a shocking concept for some people, but for the Foundation members who were carrying proxies it was an ethical obligation to represent fellow members with concerns about statements by certain Directors to replace 60 to 70 percent of KPFA programming. These statements were made at community meetings and at the Annual Banquet.

Regrettably, the CRC and the Board minority have taken to personal attacks on the very people who have made KFCF viable and possible. We hope people will take the time to investigate how KFCF has operated for twenty-five years and vote against the recall. They also propose business underwriting to finance KFCF’s local programs.

The recall, and if needed, subsequent election, will cost the Foundation and KFCF hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in printing, mailing and staff time. This is a waste of resources that could have been spent building KFCF and paying our bills. A mail ballot is the most democratic way to ensure that every Foundation member can vote on this issue with time to study the issues and facts, rather than relying on the emotions of the moment.

A recall of the Board is not the answer to KFCF’s current crisis. If the recall fails, we will still have a very vocal minority on the Board.

If it succeeds, what the Board will represent is unknown. A nomination process will take place, even though the CRC-based minority objects to an open nomination process by mail. They claim that it “doesn't make any sense, and we could end up with 200 candidates.” They don't realize that nominations are a part of the democratic process. The Board majority believes that all Foundation members should be able to participate in the democratic process or the organization.

If you are a member of the Foundation, we hope you’ll contact any of the majority of the Board to discuss your concerns and vote against the recall. For contact information, call the Foundation office at (559) 233-2221.

KFCF is, in fact and deed, a genuine community radio station. It has never been privately owned, resistant to community input, nor closed to volunteer participation. KFCF has been successful, despite its meager resources, because of the decades long dedication of its staff and supporters. By working together with mutual respect, continued community support and dedicated volunteers, KFCF will continue to survive and thrive far into the future.

Signed,
Rychard Withers, President
Rand L. Stover, Director
Alex Vavoulis, Director
Robert Munce, Director
Deborah Speer, Director
Ben Amirkhanian, Director Fresno Free College Foundation

Community Radio Coalition - Our Vision

First, to open the station to diverse progressive elements in the Valley to afford the voiceless an opportunity to speak, to organize, and to gain political power through the use of our valuable community resource. KFCF belongs to us all.

• Second, to make the processes of the station democratic, open, and public through membership elections of board members, the development of a community advisory board, the extensive use of students and volunteers, an open public space, a community meeting room, broadcasting board meetings live, and constant public access to the decision-making processes.

• Third, to protect the station from private control and dependence on the few who control it. KFCF is made fragile by the ownership of its equipment and location in the private residence of one board member for 25 years. Should something happen to the owner, our broadcast ability could come to a complete end. The way to protect our station is to put it in the hands of the community, dependent on the skills and commitment of many people rather than one or two. This resource belongs to the member subscribers of KFCF, and their obligation is to manage the station well so listeners can hear the voices of the progressive people of the entire Valley.

• Fourth, to have a board completely free of conflicts of interest. The CRC proposes a board of community members who do not have programs, do not have jobs with the station, do not own station equipment, do not own the property where the station is housed, and do not have any financial entanglements with the station.

• Fifth, to use volunteers we already have with radio technical skills to run the station, and to develop new volunteers who would participate in building a new station in our own building that will give us the ability to do call-in shows, in-the-field reporting, live coverage of significant community events, and high-quality local programming. Our station will actively teach young people, through an apprenticeship program, the skills, value, and powerful persuasive impact of radio, and help young people develop their gifts as radio broadcasters. We have the skills to run the station, and a community member has offered a wonderful, available building in the Tower District if the recall election is successful.

• Sixth, to honor the contract with KPFA which mandates 75% KPFA programming and allows 25% local programming. Local programming will be selected based on quality, integrity and service, and not on who one knows on the board of directors. KFCF is not owned by Pacifica, and with community support, democratic processes, a board free of conflicts, and quality local programming, it will survive even the worst eventuality: the takeover of KPFA by Pacifica.

The members of the Community Radio Coalition feel that several misrepresentations were made in the majority position paper. We are available to talk directly with subscribers and listeners who are interested in the future of the station. KFCF belongs to us all!

Catherine Campbell (current board member): 221-1409
Gunnar Jensen: 264-6059
Don Fischer: 225-9643
Sari Dworkin (current board member): 278-0328
Dixie Salazar (current board member): 278-2331
Carol Bequette: 229-9661

The Community Radio Coalition has approximately 150 supporters. A few are: Alan Arbour, Elfie Ballis, Sue Beever, Gerry & Zay Guffy Bill, Ellie Bluestein & the Bluestein Family, Cindy Calvert, Dennis Caeton, Robin Crockett, Jack Daniel, Bob Fisher, Greg Fletcher, Linda Halk, Cynthia & Don Loweberg, Tonee Mello, Patience Milrod, Doug Noll, Joel Pickford, Stan and Joan Poss, Aline Reed, Don Rhoads, Nancy Schultz, Kent Stratford, Larry Taylor, & Pat Wolk.

America s Last Wild Roadless Lands Need Your Help!

Tuesday JUNE 20 Come to Forest Service Public Comments Meeting in Clovis and Speak Out to Protect Our Wild Forests!

Please attend: U.S. Forest Service public meetings on the new roadless areas protection plan.

• Ban roadbuilding, logging, mining, and off-road vehicles!

• Protect the Tongass National Forest in Alaska

• Include all roadless areas over 1,000 acres

• Don t defer protection of roadless areas to the forest planning process

Last year, President Clinton instructed the U.S. Forest Service to come up with a plan to protect up to 60 million acres of roadless areas inside national forests. Hundreds of thousands of citizens wrote to the Forest Service to show their support, and opinion polls in several states found that three out of four voters backed the president.

Roadless areas are undeveloped places that lack the high level of official protection enjoyed by wilderness areas designated by Congress. The Forest Service has allowed logging and mining on so much of its land that it cannot be relied upon to protect roadless areas inside national forests.

Roadless areas are disappearing fast. In California alone, some 675,000 acres of potential wilderness has been developed over the last two decades. But roadless areas are literally vital places, offering so much that we can t afford to lose them.

• They are home to an incredible variety of species: fish, birds, animals and plants

• They provide us with clean drinking water

• They are outstanding places for spiritual renewal and recreation

• They are part of the legacy of our nation and we have a responsibility to protect them for future generations

The Forest Service recently released its draft environmental impact statement for roadless areas, and it contained good news and bad news. On the one hand, the agency said it favored banning roads from roadless areas. On the other hand, the Forest Service did NOT recommend banning logging, but sidestepped Alaska' s Tongass National Forest, and did not consider roadless areas smaller than 5,000 acres.

We want the Forest Service to make the following roadless area recommendations to President Clinton:

• Ban road building, logging, mining and off-road motorized vehicles

• Protect the Tongass National Forest

• Include all national forest roadless areas larger than 1,000 acres

• Don't defer protection of roadless areas to the forest planning process

SEND A LETTER TO THE FOREST SERVICE:
A hand-written letter is best. Please mail a letter today to: USDA Forest Service-CAET, Attn: Roadless Areas EIS, P.O. Box 221090, Salt Lake City, Utah 84122.

SEND A LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
Writing letters to the editor of your local paper is a good way of getting the word out about this great opportunity.

SEND AN EMAIL:
It's quick and easy! Send it to: roadless/wo-caet-slc@fs.fed.us

SEND A VIRTUAL POSTCARD:
From www.ourforests.org

Get your family and colleagues involved so they, too, can send a message to protect our wild roadless lands.

For more information, contact Bob Brister, 559/641-7427 or sierra-outreach@friendsoftheriver.org.