New York's Dirty War

By Anthony Papa, AlterNet. Posted March 24, 2004.

On Feb. 5, 2004, a historic march took place at the Plaza de Mayo circle in Buenos Aires, Argentina. For over 25 years, Argentine mothers have come to the circle to protest against the disappearance of their love ones from the despicable acts of the military dictatorship of Argentina, which formed in 1976. What made the day different this year was that members of the Mothers of the New York Disappeared joined them. They came to Argentina to pay homage to the Mothers who had inspired them in their seven-year struggle against the Rockefeller drug laws of New York State. Two groups of mothers from worlds apart united against the violation of human rights.

It was a bright, sunny day. Dozens of elderly women marched through the plaza, praying that their dedication might somehow bring justice to the children of the disappeared. Old women from the Asociation Madres de Plaz De Mayo -- the most radical of several groups participating -- began the march waving bright blue flags proudly displaying their logo. A banner reading "Ni Un Paso A Tras!!" -- "No Step Back" -- was held tightly in frail hands. A sea of white handkerchiefs adorned the heads of the Argentinean mothers, gracefully marching in protest against atrocities that were committed against them and their families. It is estimated that 30,000 people were kidnapped and murdered in the reign of terror that existed between 1976 and 1983.

In 1973, a similar reign silently began in New York State. The draconian Rockefeller drug laws sentenced thousands of men and women, many non-violent offenders, to life imprisonment. They were "disappeared" from the roles they played in society. For over thirty years, these laws have devastated and destroyed families. Although the acts of the New York legislature were not of the same caliber as those implemented by the Argentinean dictatorship, the enactment of the Rockefeller drug laws was similarly a violation of human rights. Over 94 percent of the population incarcerated in New York State prisons are people of color.

In 1998 the Mothers of the NY Disappeared was formed to fight to repeal these laws. In five years, using street level protests inspired by the actions of Argentinean mothers, they managed to change the political climate of New York State by putting a human face on the issue of the drug war.

In 2001, for the first time in 27 years, the governor of New York along with the Senate and Assembly all agreed that the laws must be changed. Acute disagreement on what changes should be made, however, threw the repeal of the laws into limbo. Meanwhile, over 16,000 men and women convicted under these laws are wasting away in New York State prisons.

One member of the Mothers group from New York was Julie Colon, an aspiring actress whose mother, Melita Oliviera, a first time non-violent offender, had served 13 years of a 15-to-life sentence for the sale of cocaine before she was granted clemency two years ago by Governor George Pataki.

"My mother had made a mistake, and she paid dearly for it," said Colon. I am here to join with other mothers and family members to share the pain of losing someone dear. Although it was not finite, the act of her being taken from my life for all those years was devastating to me." Julie was placed in foster care. Her case is representative of many others in the NY group including Arlene Olberg, whose baby was born in prison while she was serving time under the Rockefeller drug laws.

Liked this story? Get top stories in your inbox each week from AlterNet! Sign up now »