Page 12, Portland Observer, November 18, 1987
Court Watch Group Follows
Van Guilder Jr. Case
Afro-Nicaraguans'
Story Told
A group of neighbors and business people from Northeast Portland
who have actively followed the court case of convicted burglar Harry Van
Guilder Jr., will travel downtown once again to listen to Van Guilder Jr.
sentencing on more burglary charges.
Beaumont-Wilshire Court Watch, with representatives from Beaumont-
Wilshire Neighborhood Association and Beaumont Business Association,
has invited City Commissioner Bob Koch to join in to listen to sentencing
from Multnomah County District Court Judge Phillip Roth at 2 p.m. Tues-
day, November 17, 1987, in Room 538 of the County Courthouse.
"I am delighted to see people taking an active interest in the criminal
justice system," said Koch, "and to working in a positive way to make it
C oretta S cott King congratulates film m a k e r Richard A tte n bo ro u gh
Filmmaker Congratulated
Coretta Scott King congratulates filmmaker Richard Attenborough
after he received a standing ovation at the Congressional Black Caucus
special screening of his upcoming feature "Cry Freedom" in Washing
Dr. Mildred McClain-Coleman
Photo by Richard J. Brown
by Nyewusi Askari
When Dr. Mildred McClain-Coleman visited Portland last week, she
brought a very clear and urgent message: " It is cruc.al that African-Amer
icans and other Third World people become more involved in what
hap
ton, D.C.
"Cry Freedom" is the true story of slain South African black activist
Stephen Biko, played by Denzel Washington with Kevin Kline as the white
newspaper editor Donald Woods, who was declared a banned person in his
South African homeland because of his association with Biko. The film
chronicles their enlightening friendship, Biko's untimely death and Woods'
Per" &he S sobrought a message from the people of the Atlantic Coast of
Nicaragua
We a?e Black people o. Nicaragua. We are Afro-Nicaraguans
and we are praying that ou, Brothers and Sisters in North America will do
all they can to end this war against our children. We want to raise our chi
ren ' Fw many Americans, the mention of Afro-Nicaraguans generates con
fusion and disbelief. They want to know where they came from. How o g
have they been there? And are they any relations to Afro-Americans. The
same kind of confusion is generated when Americans discover Black people
living in Cuba, Minas Geraes, Bahia, Mexico, Columbia, and Hispaniola.
To understand this Black presence in Latin America, Central America,
and in other parts of the western world, it is necessary to step back in time,
a time when, in 1493, by a Papal Bull, "the New World was divided between
Spam
narrow escape from South Africa.
For the past ten years. Woods, along with his wife and five children,
has lived in London
He has written two books about Biko's life and
death, and has dedicated his life to the struggle to end apartheid.
"Cry Freedom" is a Universal Pictures presentation of a Richard Atten
borough Film, starring Kevin Kline, Penelope Wilton and Denzel Washing
ton. Produced and directed by Richard Attenborough, the screenplay is
by John Briley, based on the books Biko" and "Asking For Trouble by
Donald Woods. "Cry Freedom" is scheduled for release in November.
The Public Safety In Parks
Task Force to Hold Meeting
The m eeting w ill be on Thursday, Novem ber 19th, 7:00 p.m . at
Benson High School, 546 N.E. 12th in the A u d ito riu m .
The Task Force seeks public comments and recommendations on the
Qrdinance gave official sanction to introducing African
Spgnjsh Reg| Cedu|a permitted the transfer of slaves to
following issues:
What are the most important park safety/security concerns. Should
parks create a Park Ranger Unit and/or hire private security? Should there
be a city-wide ban on alcohol in parks? Can parks make a crime preven
tion impact by increasing the number of supervised playgrounds during the
summer? Should city parks close earlier? Are parks and community cen
Cuba. Between 1513 and 1865, Cuba imported 527,828 slaves from Africa,
60 000 of whom were brought in between 1513 and 1763.
' History documents that the present day Afro-Nicaraguans who live on
the southern Atlantic coast of that country are the descendants of African
X e s f ront .he southern per. of America end Jamaica. The,, common,tres
ters adequately lit?
-ru -r l C o , ™
Public input is not limited to the above questions. The Task Force
wants to know what else citizens are worried about and what ideas citizens
may have. Written comments can be submitted to: Public Safety in Parks
Task Force, Office of Commissioner Mike Lindberg, 1220 S.W. 5th, o
bea, names which are hardly known in this country, but Dr. Colemar.know,
them well: Bluefields, Pearl Lagoon, La Fe, Orinoco and Marshall o .
Dr Coleman is convinced that the Reagan Administration s efforts to
overthrow the Sandinista government threatens the very existence of Afro-
land, OR 97204.
The Public Safety in Parks Citizen's Task Force is responsible for exam-
ming the issues mentioned above and making recommendations to Com
slaves into Spanish colonies;
• In 1502, Portugal landed her first cargo of slaves from Africa in His
Pan'^B e tw e e n 1502 and 1600, 900,000 enslaved Africans were brought to
Latin^Amenca,
Nicaraguans in Nicaragua.
_ erol A m o
"There are thousands of Black people that live throughout Central Ame
rica. Having traveled to Nicaragua for the past year and a half, I can certainly
say that if the United States invades Nicaragua, it would comethrough the
Atlantic Coast. So the United States would have to first attack those B
communities on the Atlantic Coast to get to the Pacific Coast side. If a situa
tion like this happened, it would pit African-American so ld ier a ja,nst
Third World people and Black people who look just like them. They will
themselves killing Black people: young Black children, women, and grand-
™ ,h^ „ " „ d9mr“
=Ta great proportion of the U.S. miiitary is made up
Of Black and Third World troops, given the condition of the
now Many of these young people feel that they don t have a choice but to
join the military. However, they go without knowing that what they will be
confronted with is fighting their own kind.
"Nicaragua is involved in a revolutionary process right now^a process
which is very important to the survival of Afro-Nicaraguans. The govern
ment recently passed what is called "The Autonomy Plan." The p an allows
for Blacks and Indians who live on the Atlantic Coast to keep their language^
culture and religion. In other words, the Brothers and Sisters w.l not lose
their identity. They will continue to exist as whole communities linke
y
heritage and custom."
Still Dr. Coleman says, they are suffering from the evils of war. The
struggle for power between the Contras and the Sand.n.stas has. in some
ways divided those Afro-Nicaraguans who have yet to decide where he
loyalties lie. Many have been told that if they join the Contras they w. .11 be
guaranteed a lifestyle equal to that of mainland Americans. Nevertheless,
most have remained neurtral.
.
Dr Coleman worries about the children. "These children are in the same
position as the children in South Africa. Just as we are concerned about
children all over the world, we too should be concerned about the many chil
dren that are bearing the brunt of the war in Nicaragua. I am talking about
the cost of the war. Not only are they victims of the confrontation t y
are the ones being kidnapped; they are the ones being taken to fight for the
Contras. We are talking about young children who are forced to leave the,
families. Above all, we know that these children are forced to fight against
their own communities.
,
.
To listen to Dr. Coleman speak is to realize that we average’ Al^ e" cans
know very little about what is really going on ,n Nicaragua. She bel e es
as do other African-Americans who have traveled to Nicaragua that Black
people in the U.S. are not speaking out because of a lack of understanding
° f W"Once ^ u n d e r s ta n d that the Contras are merely Nicara9Ua" * W£ ° d®
being paid by the United States to fight other Nicaraguans called the Sandh
Nstas when we understand that a Contra is often just a Nicaraguan who ,s
dissatisfied and when you offer a dissatisfied person a pair of boots, a gun
a X m e Pocket change, you can get them to do just about anything^ once
we understand that Afro-Nicaraguans are part of our roots, then we can
nraanize to help end this senseless war.
Dr Coleman, Harvard-educated and well-known Atlanta-based activist
was invited to Oregon by Witness for Peace. Her stay in Portland was coor
dinated by Richard Brown, who himself traveled throughout Nicaragua,
Avel Gordly of American Friends Service Committee.
p
.
Dr Coleman s travels have taken her to Africa Europe Can d -
Mexico the Caribbean, and she has done extensive travel in North Arne ca_
Based on her dedication to bringing the Afro-Nicaraguan messa«®’ °
communities everywhere, we can expect her to grace our commu y
youw ant to know more about the Atlantic Coast or want to get invol
ved. contact: Richard J. Brown, 289-0707; or Avel Gordly. 230-9427.
missioner Mike Lindberg by January 11th.
Portland Public Schools
Offer Parenting Classes
Metropolitan Portland parents may attend free classes dealing with
child-rearing concerns at some Portland Public Schools during the next two
months.
All classes deal with popular concerns and issues and instructors allow
ample time for questions and discussions.
Most classes are lead by counselors working in schools serving
students in kindergarten to Grade 5.
Portland Public Schools' parenting classes are offered by the Child
Development Specialist Progam which provides specialized counseling to
primary-age children and their parents.
For more information, contact: Roselyn Taylor or Susan Isaacs, pro
gram coordinators, 280 5790; or Bill Garbett, director of public information
and communication, Portland Public Schools, 249-3304.
n in e ty o f
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better for all of us."
The Court Watch group has been following the case since Van Guilder
J r 's first arrest for burglary in November 1985; he was convicted and sen-
tenced to six months in jail. After release, he was arrested earlier this year
and is now awaiting sentencing for 12 theft and burglary charges.
Characteristic of the Court Watch effort, group members will travel
downtown on a rented bus displaying neighborhood and business group
*
S'9 An estimated 50 people are expected to attend, traveling from North
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east 37th and Skidmore (near Wilshire Park) to the 4th Avenue entrance of
the County Courthouse, 1021 S.W. 4th Ave.
After sentencing, Deputy District Attorney David B. Peters will explain
the legal proceedings and answer questions from the citizens attending.
Jobs, Public Safety
Top Priority
For New Koch Budget
Economic development and public safety were the top priorities as
City Commissioner Bob Koch gathered with the bureau chiefs from. the
Department of Public Utilities, which he oversees, in a budget goal-setting
n
2"7
S6SS Each^dministrator shared individual ideas for work plans about these
priorities and brainstormed new ideas. Koch said the meeting represents ,
progressive-thinking team management approach to doing bud.ness.
:
Koch described the session as "highly productive. When I took office ,.
I said I wanted to work toward less crime and more jobs. That s exact y,Z
what we're doing."
« „o " lic t
Economic development and public safety were on the top five lis t ^
of goals for the City Council in its February retreat. Koch said by concern »
trating on the two topic areas for an entire day "w e were able to come up
with projects we can start in this budget year.
Ideas discussed at the meeting included:
• A youth employment/education incentive program for s^ mme
workers employed by the Water Bureau. It would allow V?u* 8
an additional $1 an hour over minimum wage if they stayed in school for
entire school year.
Foster Home Applications for
the N. Portland Area Being Accepted
Service.
Two sibling groups from Vietnam are arriving. One group is a girl, age
16 and her brother, age 12. The other group is an uncle, age 15 and his.^
nephew, age 8. Also arriving is a Vietnamese boy, age 15 and a Laotian
boy, age 17. These young people are arriving in September and October.
These young people need families and individuals who can provide
the emotional support, love and guidance necessary to become members of
our American communities.
People in the N. Portland area are encouraged to apply to be foster
parents.
If you think you can give one of these young people a beginning in our
country, please call Ned Landis, Lutheran Family Service, 605 S.E. 39th
Avenue, Portland, OR 97214, 231-7480.
Class Teaches CPR
For Infants and Toddlers
Specialized training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR, specially
designed for infants and toddlers is being taught at Emanuel Hospital &
Health Center.
The course is taught at Emanuel by a registered nurse who specializes
in the care of infants and toddlers. The other topics covered in this certified
class include preventive safety measures and first aid. Hands-on exper
ience is provided by the use of resusci-baby and resusci-toddler. Emanuel
has the only resusci-toddler in the state.
To register for the class, call the Community Health Education Depart
ment at Emanuel, 280-4284._____________
BEAUTY SUPPLY
lA L -l l
For A ll Your
Beauty Supply Needs
Coming to Portland:
AT
BRANDEL'S
KILLINGSWORTH FOODS
"Willie Morrow"
.............................................................................................. 4 lbs for$1°°
Local Mustard Greens....................................... W,‘. 3 fo r $2 ^ ° ri39HZn
Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Slice, 7 UP, Squirt, A & W ..... 2 litre .., KKI plus. dem
Pork C hitterlings.............................................................. ' Olb
Date: Monday, December 7, 1987
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: Ramada Inn — Coliseum
Pork Spareribs............................................................................ rqc lh
Fresh Chicken W ings.................................................................... ’
Local Collard, Turnip Greens ... ................................................. * * °
Whole Smoked Picnic Hams (cut $1 lb )................................... » '
Gallon Fruit Drinks..............................................................................
Price: $15.00
Learning more is the thing to do.
"D o n 't be left o u t."
Licensed persons only: Barbers ft Cosmetologists
Tickets on sale at Unity of Love Beauty Salon
t
Lutheran Family Service, Unaccompanied Minors Program, is current
ly receiving applications for Foster Care Homes. Homes for young people
coming from refugee camps in Southeast Asia. Financial assistance and
social work support is provided by the State of Oregon and Lutheran Family
OPEN Thanksgiving Day
8-2 p.m.
We also have in stock Fresh Turkeys, Capons, Ducks, Baking Hams,
and other Holiday Needs
Come in or call for information:
6720 N.E. Union
Portland, OR 97221
(503) 283-4123
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