A friend of mine suggested that I run for Congress. Well it's too late for that but I'm reminded about earlier activities that for some did lead to political office.

In 1958 we moved into Jackson Heights into a new co-op and were unaware that we were integrating a neighborhood that had always been restricted to Jews and Blacks. Our development had both and we found out that we were not welcome in the community when swatstickas began appearing on our property and finally when all our cars had slashed tires in the garage. Not only did we integrate the housing we then joined with Corona to integrate the schools in 1964. This really tore the community apart. Parents took their children out of the public schools and formed their own school. Neighbors became estranged from each other and we made the news. At the same time the Democrats of the city were tired of the old machine politics and organized a reform movement. I joined the JFK Reform Democratic club. We helped elect several members to public office in the city and state: including Ed Sadowsky, Ivan Lafayette, Helen Marshall and Helen Sears.

In Rego Park a similar process was taking place at that time and Gary Ackerman came from that movement and perhaps others. There is a lot more history that was happening at that time some of it I've forgotten and much of it I was unaware of.

My role in all this was very small but I always knew where I stood with regard to civil liberties and the rights of individuals. I am fiercely protecive of these and will fight as long as I can and in whatever way I can to assure our freedoms. This election offers the greatest threat to our rights and freedoms in my lifetime in the USA.

# Posted by Eve Winer on 9/14/04; 6:41:39 AM - --