Monitoring Policy Making at the United Nations |
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Description of October 1996 Vigils on the UN Financial Crisis Description of October 1996 Vigils & Related Activities
Photo of Japan Vigil
Photos of New York City Vigil
Overview
Vigils and related activities took place in thirty-two cities, on five continents. The largest gathering took place at UN headquarters in New York, drawing over 200 people. Vigils were reported in dozens of local newspapers and the story was carried by CNN in its worldwide news program. Many hundreds of people participated and thousands more observed or learned about the issue through flyers and press announcements.Vigil organizers felt that the event was a real success and proposed future vigils if the crisis continues.
Media Coverage
CNN covered the vigil on its show "Diplomatic License." According to CNN, a segment ran "four or five times" during Friday, October 25 in every world region. The vigil was also covered by InterPress Service on its international news wire. Details of local media coverage will be posted as they become known. Some preliminary examples: Newark (New Jersey) Star Ledger, West Essex Tribune (Livingston, New Jersey), San Jose (California) Mercury News, etc.
New York City
A rain shower at 5:30 PM threatened the New York vigil, which was scheduled to begin at 6:00. But the skies soon cleared and people started to stream into the Ralph Bunche Park opposite United Nations Headquarters at 5:45. Organizers handed out candles and blue ribbons. As darkness fell, the crowd grew. Seven musicians began to play, with ancient ceremonial instruments -- Tibetan singing bowl, ancient bronze gong, didgeridoo and sacred blowing conch, as well as drums, bells and trombone. The crowd included people of all ages and many nationalities. Some came from the disarmament conference (held at headquarters during the day), others from the Secretariat staff, others from area universities, NGOs and spiritual groups. A group came down from Westchester (a northern suburb) to participate. Altogether, over 200 people attended.At 6:15 James Paul, Executive Director of Global Policy Forum introduced the first speaker: Assistant Secretary General Samir Sanbar, bringing a message from Secretary General Boutros-Ghali. Other speakers were: Anne Walker, Executive Director of the International Women's Tribune Center; Annabelle Weiner, Deputy Secretary General of the World Federation of United Nations Associations; James Olson, Vice President of the United Nations Association-USA, Dennis Frado, Director of the Lutheran Office for World Community, speaking as a Vice President of the Conference of NGOs (CONGO), Dorrie Weiss, Peace Action, speaking in the name of the NGO Committee on Disarmament; Sharon McHale, WFUNA; and William Pace, Executive Director, World Federalist Movement.
A number of reporters covered the event and there were several television cameras present, including CNN.
At 6:45, several organizers took a message down First Avenue to the United States Mission, addressed to US Ambassador Madeleine Albright. The message called on the United States to pay its arrears and to pay in future on time, in full and without condition. The list was then read (to much applause) of the twenty-nine other sites worldwide where vigils and other activities were taking place.
Music continued until about 7:00. As the vigil ended, many participants headed off to a post-vigil reception, organized by the NGO Committee on Disarmament.
Sponsors:
Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations (CONGO), DPI-NGO Executive Committee, Global Policy Forum, (GPF), United Nations Association-USA (UNA), World Federalist Movement (WFM), World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA),Musicians:
Arthur Baron (coordinator), Charles Burnham, Don Conreauz*, Thomas Chapin, David Galt*, Gina Leishman, and Randee Ragin* [asterisks note the Mysterious Tremendum Ensemble]
Organizing Committee:
Helen Durham, Anbureen Hasan, Pamela Kraft, Sharon McHale, James Olson, Naomi Onaga, William Pace, James Paul
Denver, Colorado
This vigil, held in an area where anti-UN forces are strong, was one of the most successful anywhere. Sponsored by a large local coalition and primarily organized by the Denver UNA Chapter, the vigil drew a crowd of 50-75 people that included many young people. The UN flag was raised over the State Capitol, proclamations by the mayor and governor were read and there was "lots of drive-by support with honking and waving." Organizers called it a "very positive experience."
Amherst, Massachusetts
On the day before, the local paper had carried a six paragraph story about the vigil. On the 23rd, about twenty people assembled at the First Congregational Church at 6:15 PM and walked by candlelight to the Amherst Common. Many cars stopped to look and principal organizer Jolayne Hinkel of the World Federalists described it as "a very positive feeling."
Livingston, New Jersey
Organized by Myron Kronish of the World Federalist Association, the vigil got good press: two articles in the local West Essex Tribune and one in the Newark Star Ledger, the largest newspaper in the state. The Tribune story on October 31 carried a large photo. About fifteen people gathered in Lions Park at 5:00 on the 23rd, carrying signs reading "U.S. Owes U.N. $1.2 billion" and "Congress Pay Up"
Aurora, Illionos
Though organized at the last minute by Emmy Lou John of the World Federation of Methodist Women, the Aurora vigil drew about 15 people to Sesquicentennial Park, where their candelight gathering assembled a diverse group from the local area.
Palo Alto, California
Organized by Paul Miller and others from the local UNA Chapter, the vigil drew 30 people from the community. News of the event was carried in two newspapers, including the San Jose Mercury News. Participants gathered at 8:00 PM at Palo Alto's City Hall Plaza. Organizers distributed candles and people stood in a circle. The President of the Chapter spoke about the financial crisis and others were invited to speak as well. The vigil lasted for over an hour. People felt it "went well."
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
This vigil, organized by a coalition of local groups led by Jan Marie Rushforth of the Philadelphia Area World Federalists, gathered at 5:00 PM outside the Liberty Bell in the historic center of the downtown on October 23rd. The day was not only the eve of UN day but also the birthday of William Penn, the Quaker pacifist who founded the city and state. Some 25 people participated, singing and holding candles. Participants signed a letter of protest that organizers will send to the U.S. government.
Washington, DC
This vigil, organized under the leadership of Richard Hahnen, working with the local World Federalists and UNA. The vigil assembled in Lafayette Park, opposite the White House, at 7:00 PM and stood there with candles and signs. The crowd grew to about 75 people. At 8:00 PM, they marched to the ABC-TV studios, to symbolize the claim to be heard on national media. Organizers felt that the vigil was very successful.
Geneva, Switzerland
This vigil was largely organized by WFUNA and CONGO, under the leadership of CONGO President Robert Harris. Some twenty people assembled at the Church of St. Nicholas de Fure and marched to the Place des Nations. A spokesman for the Secretary General met the vigil and spoke a few words in his personal capacity. Though organizers had hoped for a better turnout, there was a sense that this vigil mattered as part of a worldwide effort and that vigils should continue in future. As a follow-up to the vigil, Robert Harris and Horace Perera, Secretary-General of WFUNA wrote a letter to Amb. Daniel Spiegel, Permanent Representative of the United States in Geneva, calling on the United States to pay its dues and arrears and asking for a meeting to discuss the matter.
Victoria, BC, Canada
On October 24th, there was a 3:00 PM ceremony raising the U.N. flag, at Government and Belleville Streets. A speech by Mary June Pettyfer raised the issue of the UN financial crisis.
Ottawa, Canada
In Canada's capital there was much activity. The president of the World Federalists of Canada wrote a letter to Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy and issued a press release calling attention to the UN's financial crisis and calling for alternative financing. UNA-Canada held a meeting, attended by many eminent persons, at which Dr. Peter Stockdale read a message from the organizers of the worldwide vigil.
London, United Kingdom
Under the leadership of Bruce Kent and the Forum for UN Renewal, there was a lobby of Parliament on October 24th. More than a hundred people participated and helped to raise the issue of the UN financial crisis. One concrete result was a promise by the Labour Party (expected to win in upcoming elections) that in a future government they would re-join UNESCO.
