Date: Thu, 25 Sep 1997 09:00:37 -0400 From: Maggie Heineman Subject: Pennsylvania Expose - September 25, 1997 [Thursday, September 25, 1997 * 8:48 AM EDT] PENNSYLVANIA EXPOSE September 1997 Number 21 Pennsylvania: Commonwealth Or Fatherland? -- Floyd Cochran SINCE THE EARLY 1990S, EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA HAS GAINED A NATIONAL REPUTATION AS A HAVEN FOR ORGANIZED RACISTS AND MILITIAS. From Stroudsburg, PA down to Philadelphia and over to Harrisburg, the organized racist movement is gaining strength. First, it was the hooded members of the Ku Klux Klan, and then it was the armed compound of Aryan Nation and Mark Thomas. It then progressed to the development of the Philadelphia nazi racist gang known as Alpha. Along the way, racist skinheads and militias came into play. Now it is the anti- Semitic American Nationalist Union (ANU) that are planning to descend on eastern Pennsylvania. In September 1997, there will be one of the biggest racist events ever to be held in the Commonwealth. The Education & Vigilance Network has learned that the anti-Semitic racist-inspired gang known as the American Nationalist Union will be holding a regional conference at the Best Western motel in New Hope, PA. One of the listed speakers is Eustace Mullins, a long time bigoted writer and racist organizer. One of the articles Mullins has authored was entitled "Adolph Hitler: An Appreciation." In the past couple of years, he has become a hit with armed militias. The ANU is the outgrowth of the anti-Semitic Populist Party, one of the largest and most influential hate groups in the country. In 1988, the Populist Party ran David Duke as their presidential candidate. This is not the first time that New Hope has seen nazis and bigots in their town. In 1993, Ryan Wilson and his the US Nationalist Party (a neo-Nazi organization) attempted to march through New Hope, Pennsylvania. Wilson is a Philadelphia based neo-Nazi, who currently runs the Alpha gang. The Education & Vigilance Network is asking people to join with us for a candlelight vigil to be held outside the Best Western motel on Saturday September 20, 1997. The Best Western is located on route 202, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope, PA. If we do not start taking a visible stand against these hatemongers, then we have allowed them lay claim to eastern Pennsylvania by default. Let's go to New Hope with our message of diversity and a new hope for all of Pennsylvania, a new hope that we can build a Commonwealth that is free of bigotry and hate groups. By working together we can ensure that Pennsylvania will continue to grow as a commonwealth of all people and not a fatherland for the self appointed chosen. If you wish to join with us call, E-mail or write: Floyd Cochran--Education & Vigilance Network PO Box 407, Coudersport, PA 16915 Phone 814-274-8079 E-mail evn@penn.com Web Page http:\\users.penn.com/~evn/index.htm -- Floyd Cochran Director, Education and Vigilance Network evn@penn.com * * * Founder Of Right Wing Group Apologizes For Organization's Bigotry -- National Gay And Lesbian Task Force WASHINGTON, DC--August 15, 1997 -- A COFOUNDER OF FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, THE LARGEST RIGHT WING ORGANIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES, today apologized to women, people of color, gay men and lesbians, and non-Christians for the misleading and hateful words that are now the hallmark of the organization he helped to create. "I apologize to lesbian and gay Americans who are demeaned and dehumanized on a regular basis by the false, irresponsible, and inflammatory rhetoric of James Dobson's anti- gay radio and print materials," stated Gil Alexander-Moegerle, one of seven founders of Focus on the Family. He also urged fair- minded Americans to "report the truth about the threat [current Focus on the Family head] James Dobson and other religious extremists pose to the American tradition ... and the separation of church and state." "Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people have long been a favorite target of Focus on the Family," said Kerry Lobel, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "Their politically charged rhetoric has become more forceful as James Dobson has increased the organization's reach and influence." Alexander-Moegerle made his statement at the Gay and Lesbian Pride Center in Colorado Springs, CO in the offices of Ground Zero. While at Focus on the Family, Alexander- Moegerle was the executive producer of "Focus" radio and editor of "Focus" magazine. In addition to the apology, he called upon Dobson to step down from political activism. Of Dobson's political activities and continued misuse of his position, Alexander- Moegerle said "That is un-American" and "un- Christian." "James Dobson's entrepreneurial spirit and personal political agenda has turned racism, sexism, and homophobia into a profitable business," said Lobel. Focus on the Family, founded in 1977, has become the largest right wing organization in the United States. Their 30 state affiliates do grassroots political organizing on anti- choice, anti-gay, and antisex education issues. They have also become a Christian media empire, with magazines reaching over three million readers, a daily radio program reaching over 5 million people on 3,000 stations worldwide, television programs, and books. They have sponsored a number of organizing projects outside their organizational umbrella, including Promise Keepers. Their annual budget exceeds $110 million dollars and over 1,300 staff people. They are based in Colorado Springs, CO. -- Contact Mark F. Johnson, Media Director mfjohnson@ngltf.org 202-332-6483 x3314 pager 1-800-757-6476 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org * * * ============================================= Pennsylvania Expose Copyright (c) 1997 Pennsylvania Alliance for Democracy P.O. Box 366, Harrisburg PA 17108 http://www.libertynet.org/~exposepa/ President, Clark Moeller moeller@epix.net * * * Permission to reproduce, unaltered, in whole or in part, with copyright notice. * * * Editor Joanne Tosti-Vasey t23@email.psu.edu Design-Layout-Editing-Publishing Joseph Bordo starwalker@earthlink.net * * * ============================================= Who Is Rev. Gary Hahn? -- Laura Montgomery Rutt WHEN YORK CITY SCHOOLS DECIDED TO PROTECT ALL OF ITS STUDENTS by adding sexual orientation to the district's nondiscrimination policy, they were met with heavy resistance. The policy was voted down. One of the key detractors was Rev. Gary Hahn, who asked whether the change in the district's policy would also "include pedophilia." According to an article in a flyer found in the Lancaster Public Library during the controversial Pink Triangle Coalition's exhibit, Rev. Gary Hahn is the leader of "One Nation Under God, America." The flyer defines the organization as a Christian Patriot Fellowship, with monthly meetings and a live call-in radio show on the far right Red Lion, PA, station, 96.1 FM. Rev. Hahn's involvement is not the only far right influence in York. A TV station out of Red Lion, WGCB, channel 49, hosts a show called "Voice of Freedom." According to Alliance board member Danny Lehne, the show bragged that copies of the deliberately distorted and misleading video, "The Gay Agenda," were distributed to all school board members before the vote. This is a video distributed by far right extremists, with the intention of scaring people into believing that gay people are out to recruit children. This video's message is tantamount to saying that the antics of the Mardi Gras illustrate the typical day in the life of a heterosexual and the kids at Fort Lauderdale during spring break want to seduce your children too. Rev. Hahn is out recruiting however, recruiting members for his militia organization. According to the York Sunday News on June 30, 1996, he planned to stand outside the Courthouse steps handing out literature, and to campaign to have the federal government relinquish power, or be subject to a presidential appointment until a new one can be elected. With recent events in New Hampshire and across the state of PA, this is a group and a movement everyone needs to be concerned about. -- Contact Laura Montgomery Rutt Exec. Dir., Alliance for Tolerance and Freedom lmrutt@lancnews.infi.net * * * Anti-Family Planning Amendment Attacks Privacy Of Minors -- ACLU of PA OPPONENTS OF FAMILY PLANNING ARE PUSHING HARD TO AMEND a US House Appropriations Bill to impose a parental consent/notification requirement on minors seeking contraceptive services at Title X clinics. The ACLU expects a major floor fight over this controversial amendment immediately after Congress returns on September 3. The amendment, championed by Representatives Istook and Manzullo, would require teens seeking services at clinics that receive Title X funding to have written consent of a parent or legal guardian in order to receive "contraceptive drugs and devices." Without such written consent, the clinic would be required to give "actual written notice" to the parent or guardian at least five days prior to providing the contraceptives. The ACLU believes that a minor's constitutional right to privacy includes the right to receive contraceptives without parental consent or notification. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Medical Women's Association all oppose mandatory parental consent requirements for young people seeking family planning services. Parental consent/ notification could harm teenagers because: * It will deter contraceptive use, increase the rate of unintended pregnancies and abortion, and facilitate the spread of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS. * Requiring parental notification for con- traceptive services will deter teens from seeking other services such as screening and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, HIV testing, routine gynecological exams, and breast and cervical cancer screening. Representative John Porter (R-IL) has been leading the fight against the Istook/Manzullo Amendment in the House Appropriations Committee. When Representative Istook sought to insert a parental consent requirement for all Title X services, Representative Porter successfully amended Istook's original language to instead require Title X grantees to counsel minors about how to reject coercive sexual advances and to certify that they encourage minors to involve their parents in their decision to use contraceptives. However, while pro-family planning forces prevailed in committee, the bill faces increased opposition on the House floor. We Need Your Help!!! This vote is expected to be extremely close! Representative Porter is prepared to offer his amendment which would defeat the Istook/Manzullo parental consent amendment, but we need to convince our legislators to support him. Please contact your Representative and urge him to oppose the Istook/Manzullo Amendment and support the alternative Porter Amendment. For a wide variety of reasons, many teens are unable to discuss contraception with their parents. Don't let anti-family planning forces in Washington deter our nation's youth from utilizing potentially lifesaving health services. -- ACLU of PA Aclulegis@aol.com * * * It's Time To Pressure Harrisburg To Pass SLAPP Legislation -- ACLU of PA Representative Bud George has introduced House Bill 394 which would protect activists from Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP). The proposed bill would prevent polluters from filing frivolous lawsuits against citizens who agitate for better enforcement of environmental protection laws. Such suits can bankrupt grassroots organizations and prevent organized protests. The American Civil Liberties Union believes that SLAPP suits infringe upon the fundamental right to petition the government that is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution. Anti-SLAPP legislation is a critical component in the fight to prevent companies from harassing and intimidating people who participate in the political process. What You Can Do We need your help to stop the unlawful intimidation of constitutionally protected activism. A recent attempt to attach an anti- SLAPP suit amendment to another bill failed in the House by less than five votes. Please contact your State Representative and urge him or her to support House Bill 394 and any other efforts to fight SLAPP suits. -- ACLU of PA Aclulegis@aol.com http://www.aclupa.org * * * = = = = = = = = = WANTED! = = = = = = = = = ARTICLES, REPORTS, JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND CALENDAR EVENTS for Pennsylvania Expose. Send submissions via E-mail to t23@psu.edu. The deadline for submissions is the 25th of each month. The following are sought: + Articles: 400 words or less on topics related to Pennsylvania Alliance for Democracy (PAD) mission and policies. Include the words "PA Expose Article" in the E- mail subject line. + Reports: On activities related to PAD mission and policies: 1-3 sentence description of what you have been doing. Include your name, organization, telephone number or E-mail address, and web site address (URL) if there is one. Can be of either a personal, activist nature or of an organizational nature. Include the words "PA Expose Report" in E-mail subject line. + Calendar Of Events: 200 words or less. Include: Event, purpose, sponsor, contact person, telephone number or E-mail, date & time, place, registration deadline (if any), and price/cost (if any). Include the words "PA Expose Calendar" in E-mail subject line. + Job Advertisements For Progres- sive Organizations: Include Job Title, salary range (optional), Name of organization, addresses, telephone number, contact person, deadline for applications. You may also optionally include a 1 or 2 sentence description of the job responsibilities. Include the words "PA Expose Job Description" in E- mail subject line. - - - PLEASE SHARE YOUR VALUABLE INFO! - - - * * * Activities Of The Philadelphia Lesbian And Gay Task Force -- Rita Addessa In response to a Task Force led initiative in 1982, the Philadelphia City Council on August 5, 1982, adopted [13-2] an amendment to extend the city's Fair Practices Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of "sexual orientation" in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Since that time, Harrisburg [1983], Pittsburgh [1990], Lancaster City [1991], and York City [1993] have established similar civil rights laws. The Task Force in cooperation with leaders, statewide, are positioned to organize the introduction and adoption of an amendment to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act [Act] which prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations, and to expand the Act to include "education" as a specific protected category. In tandem, we will amend the Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act, focused on post-secondary education, to reflect non-discrimination education regulations and policies [effected in 1993]. The essence of the Core Principles to encourage public officials' and organizers' accountability to our multifaceted community during each phase of the legislative process follows. The principles are intended to forge unity and solidarity and to avoid the adoption of homophobic civil rights laws [e.g. Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine]. We are committed to organizing, educating, and negotiating with integrity for a Pennsylvania wide civil rights bill, inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity. We will be grounded in and guided by the principles that we deserve our full rights. We will support the achievement of civil rights protections, minimally, in employment, housing, public accommodations, and in education. We will not suffer any restriction of our rights (e.g. parental rights, domestic partnership rights, the recognition of marriage) nor homophobic insults (e.g. the presumption of criminality or immorality) in a Pennsylvania civil rights law. We will assure the strengthening of civil rights laws on behalf of all women and all minorities. [For a copy of the Task Force's Civil Rights Briefing Packet, September 1996 and continuing, please call.] Over the September 1996 through May 1997 period, nearly 150 people participated in Task Force Convened meetings (Philadelphia [n-55 participants]; Harrisburg [n-40]; Lancaster [12]; and Pittsburgh [n-35] ) to discuss the findings of our Study of Discrimination and Violence [Gross and Aurand], to debate the Core Principles, and to brainstorm strategies to guide a successful Pennsylvania Civil Rights Campaign. Pittsburgh activists [May 3] proposed a statewide conference to determine the decision making structure and processes necessary to engage in a collaborative and challenging long-range campaign for full civil and human rights now scheduled for October 5, 1997 [see Calendar of Events below]. -- Rita Addessa Executive Director Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force plgtf@op.net * * * ============================================= REPORTS Alliance For Tolerance And Freedom The newest edition of Progressive Voices, featuring articles on the Promise Keepers, the Istook Amendment, homophobia in York PA, and more, is ready to go to the printers. If you are not on our mailing list and would like to be, please reply to lmrutt@lancnews.infi.net with your snail-mail address. There is no cost. -- Laura Montgomery Rutt, Executive Director Southeastern Pennsylvania Interfaith Alliance The Southeastern Pennsylvania Interfaith Alliance has established five regional groups to better serve the Delaware Valley community -- the Bucks County Region, Delaware County Region, Chester County Region, Montgomery County Region and the Philadelphia County Region. Each region is asked, as a minimum, to sponsor some sort of event once a year to educate and promote dialogue on public issues of importance to us all. The Interfaith Alliance has suggested the following: religion and public education, environment, civil rights, religious liberty, welfare reform and campaign finance reform. Contact Mort Metersky, BCR Co-Chair, 725 Cheryl Drive, Warminster, PA 18974, 215-672-4598 or metersky@aol.com for more information. New Anti-Death Penalty Group Forms "PA Abolitionists United Against the Death Penalty" is a direct action, multiracial organization based in Philadelphia. We have organized a Philadelphia Chapter, a Delaware County Chapter, and a Montgomery County Chapter as well as a PA Death Row Chapter and a Family/Friends of PA Death Row Chapter. We are looking to organize a chapter of Murder Victim Families against the death penalty. We also want to start new chapters in other counties/cities in PA. Want to get involved or start a new chapter? Contact the PA Abolitionists United Against the Death Penalty (Terry Rumsey, Director) via mail at PO Box 58128, Philadelphia, PA 19102. You can also contact us via phone 610-891-8968, fax 610-891-6614, or E-mail trrl@igc.org. * * * ===Events Calendar================================================== September 1997 October 1997 November 1997 01 02 03 04 05 06 01 02 03 04 01 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 ==================================================================== * Forum On The Right Wing Threat To Our Public Schools [event transpired] Wednesday--September 10, 1997--7:00 p.m. Lancaster Jewish Community Center, Lancaster Will address the myriad of issues behind the right wing influence in the public schools, and the importance of staying informed about what is going on in your school district, in the state legislature, and in Congress. The event features Rev. Ken Brooker-Langston, Marty Miller, and Joel Weisberg. Rev. Ken Brooker-Langston is the Director of Education and Religious Outreach for The Interfaith Alliance, a national faith-based organization in Washington DC, which provides a religious voice to counter organizations like the Christian Coalition that claim to speak for all people of faith. He is an ordained minister with the Disciples of Christ. Marty Miller is the Assistant Communications Director of the Pennsylvania State Education Association and a member of the Pennsylvania Alliance for Democracy (PAD). She will be talking about attempts by the right wing in Pennsylvania to exert control over our public education system, and the negative affects that some legislation is likely to on our children Joel Weisberg is the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition and a member of PAD. He will be talking from the perspective of a religious minority in a system and society that continues to discriminate against minorities. The event is free, but donations are appreciated. A question and answer period will follow. For additional information or directions, contact Laura Montgomery Rutt at lmrutt@lancnews.infi.net; PO Box 5211, Lancaster, PA 17606-5211; or 717-581-8292. * Bucks County Region Of The Interfaith Alliance Of Southeastern PA [event transpired] Thursday--September 11, 1997--7:30 p.m. Ivyland Presbyterian Church, Ivyland The Bucks County Region (BCR) of the Interfaith Alliance of Southeastern PA will be having its first meeting. The agenda for the meeting is to discuss what type of event we should plan, when and where it should be held, other types of activity we might want to undertake on an ongoing basis, e.g. letters to the editor, letters to state and federal legislators and senators, etc., on issues related to religion and public education, environment, civil rights, religious liberty, welfare reform and campaign finance reform. If you live in Bucks County or are interested in participating, please respond to Mort Metersky, BCR Co- Chair, 725 Cheryl Drive, Warminster, PA 18974, 215-672-4598 or metersky@aol.com by September 8th. * Religious Liberty Forum [event transpired] Saturday--September 20, 1997--2:00-5:00 p.m. Main Line Unitarian Church 816 S. Valley Forge Road, Devon "Speaking Out to Protect Religious Liberty," a public forum, will be conducted on September 20, 1997 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the Main Line Unitarian Church, 816 S. Valley Forge Road, Devon, PA. Ed Doerr (Executive Director of the Americans for Religious Liberty), Laura Montgomery Rutt (Executive Director of the Alliance for Freedom and Tolerance) and Clark Moeller (President of the Pennsylvania Alliance for Democracy) will be speaking. Admission is free. For further information call 610-688-8789 or E-mail David Kane at damjkane@prodigy.com. * Alliance For Tolerance And Freedom Events Saturday, September 20, 1997 -- Laura Montgomery Rutt, Executive Director, will be speaking about the Alliance and the threat of the Religious Right at Mainline Unitarian Church in Devon, PA, at a "mini-speakout." For more information, E-mail Laura at lmrutt@lancnews.infi.net. Sunday, October 5, 1997 -- Jim Wallis, editor of Sojourners Magazine and author of "The Soul of Politics," will be speaking at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster at 2:00 p.m. The Alliance is a cosponsor. Saturday, October 11, 1997 -- Laura Montgomery Rutt will be conducting workshops on the Religious Right at an all day event at the Harrisburg Unitarian Church, 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 21, 1997 -- Joan Benso, from the PA Partnership will be speaking on the State of the Child in PA, and the unfortunate results to children from cuts in welfare programs, at the Lancaster YWCA at 9:30 a.m. The YWCA Week Without Violence runs Oct 19- 25. The Alliance is a cosponsor. Wednesday, November 19, 1997 -- The Alliance will be facilitating and participating in discussions on racism with Lancaster County area youth at Crispus Attucks, sponsored by the Lancaster Human Relations Commission. * Partners For Public Education Tuesday--September 30, 1997 Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Philadelphia The NAACP and People For the American Way (PFAW) have formed "Partners for Public Education," an historic partnership to help strengthen the nation's public schools and inform African Americans, particularly those in urban cities, of schemes being proposed that would rob inner city public schools of much needed resources. Members of the Philadelphia clergy have joined this historic effort because of its importance and because many African Americans are being targeted through their churches. We are writing to seek your support and involvement with "Partners for Public Education," which takes place in Philadelphia on September 30, 1997. A series of important events will take place at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church to educate the Philadelphia community about some of the schemes that are proposed as solutions and to discuss real solutions to the problems in our public schools that will educate every child. There is an organized effort underway to take our tax dollars away from our neighborhoods to fund private and religious schools. Generally referred to as vouchers, these schemes do not create choices for you and me. The choice becomes that of private and religious schools - the choice of which student they will accept. Meanwhile, our public schools are left with fewer funds to educate the "unchosen" children. Vouchers are a band-aid solution that will hurt our children and our neighborhoods. Join us in taking a stand against vouchers and other policies that will direct resources away from areas of need. Help us inform the community about the need for each one of us to protect and strengthen public schools. If you have any questions, call Kirk Clay, People For the American Way (PFAW) senior organizer, at 1-800-326-7329 or E-mail kclay@pfaw.org. * The Philadelphia Lesbian And Gay Task Force Conference Sunday--October 5, 1997--1-6 p.m. Pennsylvania State University Conference Center University Park The Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force, in concert with community organizations in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, invites you to join us at an important statewide conference on Sunday, October 5, 1997 from 1 to 6 p.m. at The Pennsylvania State University Conference Center at University Park, PA. Pre-registration is required. Cost for the conference is $10.00 ($5.00 low income). Community and business leaders, activists, students, academicians, attorneys, social service providers, etc. are invited. Deadline for the conference registration is September 20, 1997. Send your registration fee along with your name, address, phone, fax, and E- mail address to Rita Addessa, Executive Director, Lesbian and Gay Task Force, 1616 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Contact the Task Force for further information at 215-772-2000 (phone), 215-772- 2004 (fax), or plgtf@op.net (E-mail). * PA Abolitionists United Against The Death Penalty Rallies Saturday, October 18, 1997 -- Mass Rally against PA Death Penalty at Philadelphia City Hall. Monday, October 20, 1997 -- Nonviolent civil disobedience at the Philadelphia District Attorney's office. For more information, contact Terry Rumsuy, Director, at trrl@igc.org. * * * * * The End /s/ Starwalker (s/a/k/a Joe Bordo) Starwalker1 Starwalker voice: 407-682-6923 fax & data: 407-869-6857 ================================================= God didn't make "Adam & Eve," rather Adam _from_ Eve, as modern science plainly makes clear. And of course, "StEve" came from Eve, too (ultimately), and had to have entered the picture shortly thereafter. :-) =================================================