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Tracking Down A Fifth Column Front
FrontPageMagazine.com ^ | September 18, 2002 | Edward Immler

Posted on 09/18/2002 6:38:16 AM PDT by adam stevens

Tracking Down A Fifth Column Front
By Edward Immler
FrontPageMagazine.com | September 18, 2002


Vietnam-era anti-war protestors continue their demonstrating today, most recently in San Francisco against a potential Iraq war, but the sponsorship, partnerships, and funding of these groups raise questions about their real purpose. They are very organized, have a significant Internet presence, and actively raise large amounts of money.

This all started when I saw the name of a protest group listed in an AP wire story. I wondered a bit about this and tried to find out about this group via the Internet. I found that I could trace it back at least to 1987 (in various forms, though at the same address). Note that if a foreign country wanted to fund anti-war activism regarding Iraq, all they'd need to do is donate to a day care center in New York (and it's deductible).

This is the AP story that piqued my curiosity:

SEPTEMBER 14, 17:02 ET

5 U.S.-Born Terror Suspects Charged

By BEN DOBBIN

Associated Press Writer

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Five American-born men accused of operating a terrorist cell linked to al-Qaida appeared in court Saturday and were charged with providing material support to terrorists.

[...snip...]

Just before the hearing in U.S. District Court, a carload of people drove by the federal building chanting: ``U.S.A! U.S.A!'' Three members of the protest group Act Now to Stop War and End Racism silently held signs reading ``Stop the racist witch hunt'' across the street...

So, what on earth is the group "Act Now to Stop War and End Racism?" I did a Google search and came up with a website:

http://www.internationalanswer.org/

They call themselves International A.N.S.W.E.R (acronym for Act Now to Stop War and End Racism). Looks like an old anti-war group from the Vietnam era, complete with Ramsey Clark speaking at a rally (look at the upper right hand side of the webpage). I did a little digging and turns out this is an Iraqi support group. The name changes but the address and phone remains the same.

WHOIS:
Domain Name.......... internationalanswer.org
Creation Date........ 2001-09-18
Registration Date.... 2001-09-18
Expiry Date.......... 2002-09-18
Organisation Name.... International Action Center
Organisation Address. 39 West 14th Street, Room 206
Organisation Address.
Organisation Address. New York
Organisation Address. 10011
Organisation Address. NY
Organisation Address. UNITED STATES

A Google search on the phone number (212) 633-6646 brings back something that I had to take from the Google archives...the link is no longer any good. Note that the address of the Iraq Sanctions Challenge is the same as the WHOIS address above. Do a Google search on the phrase using that phone number and you bring up all sorts of things. Must be an interesting office, what with the Free Mumia crowd, the Iraq Sanctions Challenge, U.S. Out of Korea Committee, and the Coalition to Stop U.S. Intervention in the Mideast, among others.

Formerly found at: http://www.salam.org/activism/challenge-success.html:

Delegation Delivers Over $4 Million of Medicine to Iraq

Press Release - 13 May 1998

The 100 strong Iraq Sanctions Challenge delegation has returned after delivering over $4 million worth of medicine to Iraq in defiance of the genocidal U.S.-led U.N. Sanctions.

Below are the press releases that have been sent out by the Iraq Sanctions Challenge office in New York with day by day updates on the Challenge's

activities and progress.

Iraq Sanctions Challenge
39 West 14 Street, Suite 206
New York, NY 10011
(212) 633-6646
Fax (212) 633-2889
iacenter@iacenter.org

For Immediate Release

Attention: Assignment Editor

Contact: Deirdre Sinnott
Greg Butterfield
(212) 633-6646

Iraq Sanctions Challenge Delegation Returns to Home With No Governmental Interference. New phase in the Struggle to End Sanctions is Opened. "We must force the U.S. government to end the sanctions policies, " said Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, from Baghdad.

From May 6 to 13, 100 Iraq Sanctions Challenge delegates visited Iraq in defiance of the U.S.-led United Nations sanctions. The delegates brought more than $4 million worth of medicines for the Iraqi people. They visited hospitals, schools, water sanitation facilities, and other areas hard-hit by sanctions. More than 1.5 million people have died as a result of the sanctions, mostly children and the elderly.

The Iraq Sanctions Challenge has an iacenter.org email address and a WHOIS for iacenter.org gives another organization at the same address:

Registrant:
International Action Center (IACENTER2-DOM)
39 West 14th Street, #206
NY, NY 10011
US
Domain Name: IACENTER.ORG
Administrative Contact:
Flounders, Sara (SF1171) iacenter@IACENTER.ORG
International Action Center
39 West 14th Street, Room 206
New York, NY 10011
(212) 633-6646 (FAX) (212) 633-2889

A September 25, 2001 New York Post article lists several more organizations at that same office.

Mumiacs for Terror -- Chez, 18:50:20 09/25/01

THE organizers of Saturday's "vigil against racism and war" in Union Square Park - and a rally there the next day in solidarity with "Arab and Muslim sisters and brothers" - are being led by Ramsey Clark. Clark, who was LBJ's attorney general, is chairman of the International Action Center, an umbrella group which shares its West 14th Street office and its telephone with such groups as Iraq Sanctions Challenge; Peace for Cuba; U.S. Out of Korea Committee; Coalition to Stop U.S. Intervention in the Mideast, which was created in 1990 before the Gulf War; and Millions for Mumia, which works to free cop-killer Mumia Abu-Jamal. Clark and his comrades, including the pro-Palestinian group Al-Awda, now have a new committee, Answer: Act Now to Stop War and Racism. They march on Washington, D.C., next week.

Here's another group that uses that address and phone number:

Peoples Video Network

International Action Center

Workers World Party

INVITE YOU TO CELEBRATE ELLEN ANDORS' LIFE

SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2001, - 3:00 p.m.

55 W. 17 St., Fifth Floor, NYC

R.S.V.P. Peoples Video Network

212-633-6646 extension 15

Ellen Andors, Ph.D., videographer, anthropologist, teacher, socialist, political organizer, and single working parent, died on August 2, 2000, at the age of 54.

As a teacher of anthropology in the City University system for 25 years, Ellen used multi-media as a way to educate about capitalism's ills and the need to struggle against them.

In 1994, Ellen became a member of Workers World Party, and joined the Peoples Video Network. She became a driving force in producing progressive videos documenting numerous struggles. She produced and edited many political videos that are broadcast around the globe.

The stunning Metal of Dishonor is a groundbreaking expose of the Pentagon's use of depleted uranium weapons. The Prison-Industrial Complex: An Interview with Mumia Abu-Jamal features the political prisoner and award-winning journalist speaking from Pennsylvania's death row with Monica Moorehead and Larry Holmes.

At the time of her death, Ellen was compiling footage for a comprehensive video exposing the dangers NATO poses to the peoples of the world. The Peoples Video Network is committed to finishing this important project...

*Tax-deductible donations to complete production of the video about NATO that Ellen began can be sent to People's Rights Fund/Ellen Andors Memorial Fund, at 39 W. 14 St., Suite 206, New York, N.Y. 10011. For information: Call 212-633-6646

Who provides their funding? From their donations link:

The People's Rights Fund is a fiscal sponsor for the International Action Center and A.N.S.W.E.R., including demonstrations, teach-ins and other activities held in Washington on September 29, 2001, and April 20 and the recent June 1 National Anti-war conference in New York City and a protest at FBI headquarters on June 29 as well as the upcoming Independent Commissions of Inquiry into U.S.-backed Israeli War Crimes. The People's Rights Fund is sponsoring the holding of educational events to inform the people of the U.S. about the dangers of a new war initiated by the U.S. government, about the racist attacks in this country, and concerning the threats to civil liberties to the people of this country. The Fund is also sponsoring the production of educational materials on these subjects.

And who is this?

People's Rights Fund

The People's Rights Fund is a small foundation with limited resources that has channeled its support to projects often considered too controversial for more traditional funders. This has included the production of educational material opposing sanctions against defenseless populations, and combating racism and anti-Arab bigotry during the buildup to the Gulf War against Iraq. Its grants allowed the production of leaflets and other materials for the first U.S. demonstrations against the Gulf War. It has also helped provide informational material for major rallies against the blockade of Cuba.

A grant from the People's Rights Fund initiated the work on this book, the children are dying.

The People's Rights Fund is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, educational organization. It depends on contributions from people who understand that grassroots activism can mobilize progressive public opinion into a powerful force. It has supported projects that use literature and/or video and have mobilized both small groups and great public assemblies to protect and advance the rights of the poor, the powerless, and the oppressed.

For more information or to send a donation, write to:

People's Rights Fund
39 West 14th Street, #206
New York, NY 10011, USA

The People’s Rights Fund (fiscal sponsor for the International Action Center) has a website. You can see that they have branches across the nation and plan events long in advance.

The People's Rights Fund is a reporting charity, claiming to be a day care center at one time (at least to get IRS approval), apparently.

Found via: http://www.guidestar.org/servlet/SearchServlet:

Peoples Rights Fund, Inc.
39 W 14TH ST STE 2ND FL
NEW YORK, NY 10011

Information in this report is derived from IRS Form 990 or IRS Form 990-EZ, an annual report filed by nonprofit organizations.

Who We Are

Day care center

Program / Activities

Education N.E.C.

Financial Info

Fiscal Year: 2000

Assets: $92,737

Income: $382,377

This organization files an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

more financial information

EIN: 13-3270831

Ruling Year: 1987

These five contributions shown below were pretty hefty no matter what scale is used. Anti-war activism is clearly no small enterprise. The obvious question is, who donated that money and what was the original source? Was it overseas money laundered through a US citizen?

This was foound at page 13: http://www.guidestar.org/pdf/2000/133/270/2000-133270831-1-9.pdf:

Peoples Rights Fund, Inc 13-3270831
Schedule A: Identification of Excess Contributions included on Part IV, line 26B
*** Not Open To Public Inspection ***

Total Contribution/Excess Contribution

60,000. 38,285.
74,000. 52,285.
60,000. 38,285.
25,000. 3,285.
30,000. 8,285.

Total Excess Contributions to Schedule A, Line 26B
140,425.

Is it possible to link the International Action Center to Iraq? Very easily, as it turns out. Iraq’s ambassador, Dr. Saeed Hasan, participated in a program sponsored by the International Action Center in 1999:

Program: First Hearing of the Independent Commission of Inquiry to Investigate U.S./NATO War Crimes Against the People of Yugoslavia

July 31, 1999 • New York City

[We are preparing transcripts of as many speeches and papers as possible from the Initial Hearing; watch this page for links to individual names]

Schedule

10:00 am - 11:00 am Opening Plenary
11:15 am - 1:00 pm Panel Discussions
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm Lunch in the Hall
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm Panel Discussions
3:45 pm - 6:00 pm Closing Plenary featuring Ramsey Clark

Program

Opening Plenary: The Case for an Independent War Crimes Tribunal
Moderator: Sara Flounders, International Action Center

Presenters:

David Jacobs, attorney, Canadian lawyers group
Michel Chossudovsky, economist and author
Roland Keith, OSCE monitor in Kosovo
Monica Moorehead, Workers World newspaper and Mumia Awareness Week introducing a taped message from Mumia Abu-Jamal
Dr. Saeed Hasan, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Iraq to the UN

There is an excellent article about Ramsey Clark, head of the International Action Center here. This article describes the relationship between Clark, the International Action Center, and the Workers World Party (described as an orthodox Stalinist sect). The policies of the Workers World Party add a level of complexity here. Are we still fighting the Cold War? Or is the Workers World Party simply a funding device? If it is the latter, then the immediate question is about the source of funds. The next question is, why? The International Action Center is able to raise significant amounts of tax-deductible money, that’s clear. The purpose is not so simple. Is this a means for the Workers World Party to develop an anarchistic atmosphere in the United States? Divide the population and jump into the gap to gain political control?

Louis J. Freeh, Director of the FBI, stated in testimony before the Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and Select Committee on Intelligence: From: http://www.fbi.gov/congress/congress01/freeh051001.htm

“Anarchists and extremist socialist groups -- many of which, such as the Workers' World Party, Reclaim the Streets, and Carnival Against Capitalism -- have an international presence and, at times, also represent a potential threat in the United States. For example, anarchists, operating individually and in groups, caused much of the damage during the 1999 World Trade Organization ministerial meeting in Seattle.”

The International Action Center is not a one-pony show. There are many elements of it beyond the anti-Iraq war aspect (North Korea/Cuba/Mumia/etc.). I believe they are acting to disable and destruct society’s institutions in order to forward an agenda. The oath of enlistment of a soldier in the US Army begins, "I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC;..." Dissent is one thing, and is a Constitutional right, but we must not forget that there can be domestic enemies.



TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: answer; antiwar; clark; communism; communists; fifthcolumn; forthechildren; foundationradicals; frontpagemagazinecom; hasan; iac; iacenter; iraq; iraqsanctions; isc; leftists; marxism; marxists; peoplesrightsfund; prf; radicalleft; ramsayclark; ramseyclark; saeedhasan; sedition; terrorcharities; traitors; treason; un; workersworldparty
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1 posted on 09/18/2002 6:38:16 AM PDT by adam stevens
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To: Neets; kcvl; Grampa Dave; Dales
FYI....Ramsey Clark surfaces again. This is a pretty well-documented article.
2 posted on 09/18/2002 6:50:29 AM PDT by Miss Marple
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To: adam stevens
there can be domestic enemies.
Handling the USSR woulda been a relative walk in the park without the aid and comfort it received from within the USA.

It's commonly believed that journalism is a public service; it's actually a necessary evil. We must scrutinize our elected officials, but journalism does it from an easily identifiable perspective. Broadcasting amplified the influence of journalism, and hence of the patent anticonservatism which inheres in journalism.


3 posted on 09/18/2002 6:50:46 AM PDT by conservatism_IS_compassion
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To: adam stevens
Are we still fighting the Cold War?

Glad he asked. The answer: only at Frontpagemag.com.
4 posted on 09/18/2002 6:52:27 AM PDT by Egregious Philbin
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To: Miss Marple; Dales
Thanks, for pinging me.

You know my feeling about these so called non profits here that work 24/7/365 to weaken and destroy America.

Dales did the great job of documenting the links between the all time anti American Clymer posing as a man of peace, Ramsey Clark back last fall when he organized the first big Anti American so called rally.

Thanks for the ping.

Dales, maybe you could post some of your links that you have re this issue.

5 posted on 09/18/2002 7:05:42 AM PDT by Grampa Dave
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To: adam stevens
Thanks for posting this article!
6 posted on 09/18/2002 7:06:33 AM PDT by Grampa Dave
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To: adam stevens
Bump.
7 posted on 09/18/2002 7:11:52 AM PDT by Stentor
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To: adam stevens
I have bookmarked this article.

When it comes to the rats and how they vote or behave on our streets, just follow the money that pays for their anti America/America activities.
8 posted on 09/18/2002 7:21:18 AM PDT by Grampa Dave
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To: adam stevens
Interesting catch. The notion of a "front" organization was a textbook abstraction to me until the early 1980's. At that time, as a rather young, very green, wet-behind-the-ears congressional staffer, I got an education jousting with the nuclear freeze crowd.

It did not take long to realize that, for all their protestations of wanting an even-handed, bilateral, verifiable freeze, their actual position was quite different. They were quite serious about a unilateral U.S. freeze, but were entirely indifferent to the Soviet's ongoing nuclear buildup and chronic cheating on existing accords. In fact, as one moved from the bumper sticker sloganeering to the details, the freeze movement's positions dovetailed in every particular with the current Soviet negotiating line, and moved in lockstep with it.

Of course, not one in a thousand of the empty headed college kids and assorted trendy lefties who turned out for the freeze campaign was informed enough, or intellectually honest enough, to realize this. Nonetheless, all I had to do was raise a question, and they would instantly volunteer the Soviet-line rebuttal. It really brought home to me the reality of what the 1930's popular fronts must have been like.

Since then, I've often wondered about the funding and real, insider leadership of such groups. Control the talking points, newsletters, and speakers list, and you control the stooges, particularly if you regularly complement them on their moral superiority, activist commitment, and independent critical thinking -- i.e., their memorization of your own talking points. Lenin's phrase, "useful idiots," is perfectly apt. This kind of organization is endemic on the left.

This is another interesting example. I sometimes think the non-profit sector should be held to the same standards of transparency we demand of the political parties. At the least, we might finally find out who Mr.-Secret-Funding Ralph Nader is pimping for.

9 posted on 09/18/2002 7:58:36 AM PDT by sphinx
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To: sphinx
I recently noticed this phenomenon involving nuclear weapons myself.
10 posted on 09/18/2002 8:04:57 AM PDT by adam stevens
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To: adam stevens
BUMP for Immler's FReeperish attention to detailed research!

FMOKM
11 posted on 09/18/2002 8:09:05 AM PDT by Freemeorkillme
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To: adam stevens
Now if we'd all offered some of these organizations like A.N.S.W.E.R. just a little financial help, they could have afforded office space in the WTC. It just warms my heart thinking of it.

I wonder if author Edward Immler has ever considered taking the info he has to the New York Department of Corporations and doing a reverse look up by address for these creeps to discover all the other organizations and individuals associated with them. And then taking the corporation names he learns at DOC and running these through the IRS for additional IRS Form 990's. Then using FR volunteers, assign maybe 20 names of individuals or corporations to each volunteer to do a thorough internet search. Should be able to come up with a great deal of info on these people this way. One other thing, there is a clearing house in Washington for info on all contracts let by the government. Better search there and cross reference all corporation names discovered to see if our tax dollars are funding any of their crap.

Just some thoughts.

--Boot

12 posted on 09/18/2002 8:52:41 AM PDT by Boot Hill
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To: Boot Hill
Now if we'd all offered some of these organizations like A.N.S.W.E.R. just a little financial help, they could have afforded office space in the WTC. It just warms my heart thinking of it.

LOL!

13 posted on 09/18/2002 8:53:52 AM PDT by adam stevens
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To: Boot Hill
Of course Bin Lsden probably wouldn't have attacked his buddies then!
14 posted on 09/18/2002 8:56:51 AM PDT by adam stevens
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To: Egregious Philbin
Are we still fighting the Cold War?

Who is this "we" you refer to, kemosabe?

You left of center types were of ZERO assistance during the cold war, and now that the risk is gone, you all want to claim status as warriors for freedom. No sale.

15 posted on 09/18/2002 9:00:09 AM PDT by borkrules
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To: kristinn; Angelwood; Dave Dilegge; leadpenny; stand watie; sauropod; Cacique; firebrand; rmlew; ...
ANSWERweenies/Ramsey Clark connections to Iraq ping!
16 posted on 09/18/2002 9:04:58 AM PDT by Black Agnes
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To: backhoe; blam
Informative article ping!
17 posted on 09/18/2002 9:06:30 AM PDT by Black Agnes
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To: borkrules
Who is this "we" you refer to, kemosabe?

I was quoting from the article. Decent piece of investigative journalism, but they radically overstate the significance. Leave it to David Horowitz' mag to characterize some tiny far left wing organization as a dire threat to America. They've worn down "traitor" and "fifth column" so much the words are meaningless.
18 posted on 09/18/2002 9:12:15 AM PDT by Egregious Philbin
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To: Black Agnes; dighton; aculeus; Orual; Cultural Jihad; Roscoe; RGSpincich; hchutch; CWOJackson
Informative article ping!

I'll see your ping and raise you another ping.

These folks are some seriously busy Clymers.

19 posted on 09/18/2002 9:17:27 AM PDT by Poohbah
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To: Egregious Philbin
Decent piece of investigative journalism, but they radically overstate the significance. Leave it to David Horowitz' mag to characterize some tiny far left wing organization as a dire threat to America. They've worn down "traitor" and "fifth column" so much the words are meaningless.

Leave it to you to try to whitewash the activities of these people. Their membership should be decorating lampposts across the fruited plain.

20 posted on 09/18/2002 9:19:26 AM PDT by Poohbah
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