June 19, 2003

City Center New York, NY

"Fifty years ago today, almost to the minute, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were executed. We are here this evening to commemorate that event. But we're not here to mourn. We're here instead to honor Ethel and Julius, their activism, their resistance and their community. We're also here to tell the story of an organization that grew from that resistance- the Rosenberg Fund for Children, the RFC."

With these lines, RFC Board Chair, Robert Winston, welcomed the crowd of more than 2500 people who attended CELEBRATE THE CHILDREN OF RESISTANCE at City Center in New York City, on June 19th, 2003. The program commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Rosenbergs' executions while celebrating today's families who fight for social justice. It was an uplifting and triumphant event thanks not only to the talented cast and crew, but also to the audience (many of whom had gathered in Union Square to rally for the Rosenbergs 50 years ago), who came together to share this special evening.

Tovah Feldshuh and Peter Yarrow read the prison letters written by Ethel and Julius to each other and to their sons, Robert and Michael. Harry Belafonte, Suheir Hammad, and Emilie Miller recreated the Union Square rally, reading roles representative of the 10,000 outraged people who protested the executions on that night 50 years earlier.

Michael and Robert (Rosenberg) Meeropol took the stage, both to tell the stories of their childhood and to relate their experiences to activism and resistance today. To an eruption of cheers, Robert concluded his lines, "Fifty years later, once again we live under a regime that equates dissent with disloyalty and protest with treason…Many of us in this room didn't buy it then and we don't buy it now. We fought against it then and we're fighting against it now!"

Harry Belafonte read an eloquent statement from Mumia Abu-Jamal that also demonstrated the similarities between 1953 and the present. Mumia's message said, in part, "The Rosenbergs were progressive folks who dared to dream of a world where fascism and racism were no more; and where the state did not use its judicial apparatus for state terrorism; They did not succeed; but that does not mean their noble dream, was wrong; it only means there's work to be done. Let our work further their dreams-into reality." A mesmerizing performance of "Strange Fruit" by Janiece Thompson, and a starkly beautiful solo dance by Bill T. Jones, echoed Mumia's anger, outrage and sadness.

The program's theme of family and community was reflected both in the audience and on-stage. Along with Robert and Michael, Robert's wife Elli and their daughter Jenn participated in the program. Elli wrote the script and acted as the M.C. (a last-minute stand-in for Susan Sarandon who was unable to attend.) Jenn described her legacy as a grandchild of Ethel and Julius, as part of a family and community built on resistance and activism.

The final act dramatized stories of RFC beneficiary families. Mazi Jamal, Mumia's son, described how interacting with fellow beneficiaries has profoundly affected his life, replacing a sense of isolation with a sense of community. Suemyra Shah, a young activist and RFC beneficiary, told the story of her own targeting and resistance, and how the RFC has played a part in supporting her dreams and strengthening her spirit.
Art's essential role in inspiring social justice movements throughout the generations was illuminated by heartfelt performances from folk singers Ronnie Gilbert and Holly Near, poet and activist Martín Espada, gospel singer Janiece Thompson, and the Camp Kinderland Children's Chorus. The evening closed when the entire cast assembled on stage to sing a rousing finale with the audience.

Since June 19th, the RFC has received an outpouring of communication about what the event meant to those who attended.

· "Such a mix of emotions-sadness, inspiration, hope love. It felt like the best of family & community."

· "Not only did you all pay special tribute to Julius and Ethel Rosenberg and their dedication to building a better world for all children, but you brought it up to date with the dangers we are all facing today and the need to be part of the struggle."

· "It was incredibly heartwarming to participate with so many other supporters. As a "red-diaper baby" of the 50's, living under the paranoia of those times AND these times once again, I have felt unable to share my personal story with any but my most trusted friends. The RFC provides a most touching network of support for children and families once again living in the shadows. Their strength gives hope."

In the words of one RFC supporter who helped organize within the labor movement in New York and came away energized and inspired, CELEBRATE THE CHILDREN OF RESISTANCE was, "an amazing evening of song, theater, poetry, dance, history and legacy." The RFC thanks all those-cast, crew, Board, sponsors, supporters, volunteers and audience members- whose participation made the evening unforgettable.