| Stanley Sheinbaum | |
|---|---|
| Born | Stanley K. Sheinbaum 1920 New York City, New York State, United States |
| Residence | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Citizenship | American |
| Education | Stanford University (economics) |
| Occupation | Peace activist |
| Spouse | Betty Warner |
Stanley K. Sheinbaum (born 1920 - ) is an American political peace and human rights activist.[1]
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Sheinbaum was born in 1920 in New York city. The family was at one point quite wealthy as a result of his father's leather goods business. But, they lost their fortune in the Great Depression. While still in high school, Sheinbaum took a job in the afternoons and evenings as a sewing machine operator.
During most of World War II, he served in the military after being drafted. He was assigned to making aviation maps. When discharged, he applied to 33 colleges on the GI Bill, but was rejected due to his poor grades.[2] He returned to high school, and after graduating, was accepted to Oklahoma State University–Stillwater (Oklahoma A&M). There, he excelled, and after a year was able to transfer to Stanford University, where he became an economics teacher.[2] After that, he accepted a position at Michigan State University teaching economics.[3] There, he became the administrator of a new project aiming to advise the unstable government of South Vietnam, and prevent communism from taking over the country.[4] The 54-person[3] project was named Michigan State University Vietnam Advisory Group (MSUG). In 1957, Sheinbaum visited the Michigan State University school in Vietnam to see the results of the project's work. He was disheartened to discover that the university was providing cover for an ongoing Central Intelligence Agency operation. In 1959, he resigned from the project.
Sheinbaum then returned to the United States, and settled in Santa Barbara, California. He was asked to become part of a think tank called the "Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions", headed by educational philosopher Robert Hutchins. While there, he met and fell in love with Betty Warner, daughter of Harry Warner, film mogul. She was also an activist, and an opponent of fascism, having grown up during the Spanish Civil War. They married in 1964.[5]
While doing research into United States involvement in Southeast Asia, journalist Robert Scheer discovered the MSUG project in Vietnam. He found documents providing evidence that MSUG had been involved in the torture of Vietnamese nationals.[2] Among the documents, was a list of those involved with the project. The list included Sheinbaum's name, whom Scheer contacted. Appauled with the revelations, Sheinbaum decided to go public with the information. He collaborated with Scheer on an exposé, and became an active opponent of the Vietnam War. This prompted the think tank to "ask him to leave" the group.
In 1966, and again in 1968, Sheinbaum ran for the United States Congress in Santa Barbara on a peace platform, but was unsuccessful.[5]
In 1971, Sheinbaum was asked to help organize the Pentagon Papers-Daniel Ellsberg Defense Team.[2] [3] He helped to assemble the team of attorneys, and became the main fundraiser and spokesperson, raising nearly $1 million dollars from over 25 thousand contributors.[5]
With the Palestinian Intifada, it was suggested that Sheinbaum assemble a team of Jews to meet with Yasir Arafat to persuade him to disavow terrorism, and to recognize Israel's right to exist.[2][6] Anticipating that Arafat would question his credentials, Sheinbaum first held a meeting with then National Security Advisor of the United States Colin Powell, explaining the situation. Five days later, Sheinbaum received a letter from President Ronald Reagan stating that if Arafat would fulfil the promises, the United States would "be responsive".[5]
During the initial Arafat meeting, Sheinbaum presented the letter, and the agreement was reached. Arafat then intended to speak at the United Nations, stating the agreement. This information was given then Secretary of State George Shultz, to obtain a visa for Arafat's visit. However, Shultz rejected the visa request. In response, the entire UN Assembly flew to Geneva, where Arafat spoke, stating his intentions.[7] The effort culminated in Yitzak Rabin and Arafat shaking hands at the White House in 1993 before President Clinton. Ultimately, Arafat did not fulfil his agreement, resulting in criticism of Sheinbaum.[5]
From 1991 to 1993 Sheinbaum acted as President of the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners. He was highly critical of Chief Daryl Gates' response to the Rodney King beating. He believed that the incident was not isolated, and led the effort, along with fellow commissioners, to force Gates from office.[2]
Within the Hollywood community, Sheinbaum remains a major fundraiser. He also serves on the ACLU National Advisory Council.[2]
