Broad support for April 19 antiwar protest in S.F
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California Labor Federation head John Henning at press conference SAN FRANCISCO-Thousands of people are expected to demonstrate here on April 19 for peace, jobs, and justice.
The stepped-up campaign by the Reagan administration to arm and finance the contra terrorists fighting against Nicaragua has given the protest, which is sponsored by the Mobilization for Peace, Jobs and Justice, an especially timely character. The mounting degree of support in the weeks leading up to April 19 is an indication of the rising concern over U.S. intervention in Central America.
The march is being organized around the following four demands:
No U.S. Intervention in Central America and the Caribbean; End U.S. Support for South Africa Apartheid; Jobs and Justice, Not War;
• Preeze and Reverse the Nuclear Arms Race.
The list of sponsors is impressive. It includes labor councils representing the counties of Alameda, Marin, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, and San Mateo. Some of the individual sponsors include Ed Asner, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Nobel Laureate Dr. Owen Chamberlain, Sen. Alan Cranston (D-Calif.), and Rep. Ron Dellums (D-Calif.) All told, more than 200 organizations and individuals are backing the march and rally.
Some of those scheduled to speak at the rally include Richard Trumka, president of the United Mineworkers of America; John Henning, secretary-treasurer of the Cal -ifornia Labor Federation; actor Richard Dreyfus; Dolores Huerta, vice-president of the United Farm Workers; and Jane Gruenebaum, national executive director of the Nuclear Weapons Freeze Campaign. Singer Holly Near and others will provide entertainment.
Several events have been scheduled prior to the march and rally. These include an outreach meeting on March 26 with Martha Cranshaw, a veteran leader of the Sandinista revolution and an FSLN official, and Janine Chagoya, director of Nicaragua Interfaith Committee for Action, and an evening of comedy and dancing on April 12 at Queen Ada Hall, 1340 Turk Street in San Francisco.
The Mobilization sponsored a press conference on March 12 to urge support for the demonstration and to call for an end to U.S. aid to the contras. Speakers included Sister Margaret Cafferty, congregational superior of the Sisters of the Presentation; Walter Johnson, secretary-treasurer of the San Francisco Labor Couricil; Al Lannon, president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 6; John George, Alameda Board of Supervisors; and Paul Boneberg, coordinator of the Mobilization Against Aids.
On April 18, the evening before the demonstration, the Mobilization and Athletes United for Peace are co-sponsoring a benefit reception in Oakland. Some of the honored guests include former San Francisco 49ers' quarterback Guy Benjamin, head of Athletes United for Peace; past and present 49ers Randy Cross, R.C. Owens, and Delvin Williams; Gene Upshaw, executive director, NFL Players Asso -ciation; and U.S. pentathalon champion Also attending the reception will be Richard Trumka, president of the United Mineworkers of America, and Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg, former chairman of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission and a Nobel Laureate in chemistry.
The press release issued by the Mobilization on March 12 accurately cap -tured the potential that exists today for building a popular, broad-based peace movement that can effectively stay the hand of the warmakers in Washington.
"The gains of Americans—on our jobs and in our communities-are under massive attack. Many social programs are cut while others are continually threatened. Our government became an official union buster by breaking the air traffic controllers' strike. The arms race escalates and the threat of war is in the air. Bigotry is offered aid and comfort with a U.S. policy of 'constructive engagement' with murderous apartheid....
"The winds of change are blowing again, however; change that puts people before profits, that asserts human rights ahead of corporate demands, that is back in the streets voicing our concerns for nonintervention and peace in our troubled world.
"Our coalition is firmly based in our unions, churches, and communities. We are part of a movement where all who strive for a peaceful world and a just society can work together in a broad mobilization for peace, jobs, and justice."
For more information on the April 19 rally or the benefit reception on April 18, contact the Mobilization for Peace, Jobs and Justice and Athletes United for Peace at 255 Ninth St., San Francisco, CA 94103, or call (415) 621-7326, 431-2572.
Salvador Teachers Union, and a studentsponsored rally against apartheid at Boston Commons on April 4.
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APRIL 19™H198G Soclalist Action/Alan Sen'amin
NULAKAGU OUR Socialist Action/Joe Auclello