Ballis used to come out on the picket lines to take pictures. The growers hated
him more than they hated us. but he didn't take any crap from
the growers. He'd go eat with us at our soup kitchen. He really spoke
our language. He's always been an activist who isn't afraid to speak his mind.

Gilbert Padilla
retired sec-treas.
United Farm Workers Union
559.486.7506


Praise is due The Bee's Guy Keeler for his wonderful story Jan. 23, 2005 on the
extraordinary life of George "Elfie" Ballis.To those of us who grew up in Fresno
in the 1960s and witnessed the plight offarm workers and
small farmers, George's courageous stands on issues of war
and social justice left a strong impression.
That he is still going strong at 79, sleeping outside in the winter because he
likes fresh air, is even more amazing. When the true history of the San Joaquin
Valley is written, George should be remembered as a shining example of a good
citizen prodding the public conscience.
Long may his inner light burn and may it continue to shower sparks on the
idealistic. I was lucky enough to catch a few sparks from it and many others too
numerous to mention are in the same boat. Elfie, you are richer by far, in every
respect, than the forces you fight. Long may you film.

Lloyd Carter
professor of law
San Joaquin College of Law
carter0i@comcast.net


If you have any questions about Fresno, Elfie is the person to ask. He marched with
Cesar, was the main photographer of him, and has worked on almost every issue in the
world. This person is a legend in his own time - - seriously.

Tony Nocella
student
Syracuse University


We are blessed with your work....we be one. Your hermanidad is great...
Thank you always for your courage and sincerity

Gilbert Lujan
Chicano art activist
magu4u@hotmail.com


That was a great evening last night! You really have a beautiful gift of
conveying the humans living within events. I'll carry many moments from the
docu poems but the one that was most deeply moving was in the ride back
from the Mumia demonstration -- the young girl, clean for a year, speaking
so deeply about her hope for us all.

with love and laughter,
Ernie Goitein
community organizer
fego@pacbell.net


I so admired your work, presence and discussions this past wednesday night.
You have an awareness about humanity that makes one excited about our
purpose in life and living and working for it. Again, you have really inspired me.
I feel if I can see the light and attempt to escape from the corporate web, so can
many others.

Matt, near anonymous student


I recently saw the final version of your video
of that WalMart protest and I had cold chills. I have
a close friend who works for Fox and I wanted
him to get it produced! He can't, of course, but
that's how I felt about your work.

Phyllis Fess Baker
community organizer
bob3502@charter.net


Thanks so much for your extremely well-written and thought-provoking
piece (on WWII). I found it a helpful antidote to all the nationalistic hoopla
and hooha of this day, which the politicos are so fond of exploiting for
their own ends.

Howard Hendrix
novelist & activist
howardh@csufresno.edu


You never cease to amaze me. What a story! I am a richer person for
knowing you, reading your thoughts, following your passions.

Maye Thompson
Portland, OR
mayedoug@spiritone.com


The cover you have designed for the July newsletter/magazine (see it here)
is a testimony to the saying that one picture is worth a thousand words. In
the image that you have put together, it states the essence of why we
are doing this work. I am humbled by your ability to communicate
through art.

Mike Rhodes
editor, Community Alliance Magazine
allianceeditor@comcast.net


The images from our "family story" will not fade with time thanks to
George Elfie Ballis, along with support and inspiration from his
partner Maia and their home & sanctuary at SunMt. With an expert eye,
Elfie has captured the passions and struggles of our global community in
four recently released videos.

In December 1999, Elfie followed five union plumbers to Seattle as they
joined approximately 50,000 others in the protests and demonstrations
that shut down the ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization.
Awaken chronicles the growing ties between labor, environmental and
social justice groups as a worldwide movement against corporate
domination and greed ignites. If you haven't yet thought about how many
decisions in your life are controlled by multinational corporations, get
this video!
Bringing the issue of corporate power into our own backyard, the GAP
video documents a local demonstration to inform consumers about the
sweatshop labor practices of the GAP, Inc., the corporation that also
owns Old Navy and Banana Republic. Twenty people were arrested at
Fashion Fair mall by close to 100 Fresno City police officers that
accepted citizen's arrests from the mall security. This will wake you up
to the overwhelming police presence and the protection of corporations
over individuals in our own community.
Respecting and preserving cultural heritage is a vital strategy to
counter the homogeneity created by globalization. Deep within the
history of Indian wisdom rises a cinematic swell of drumming and dancing
as O Matake Oyasin brings you to Alcatraz for an annual un-Thanksgiving
ceremony honoring our Creator. This docu-poem is truly "for all our
relations".
The bilingual video !Si Se Puede! uncovers the true integrity of the
modern homes being constructed in Fresno subdivisions. Union carpenters
and community groups join forces to advocate for better wages and more
training for the primarily Mexican carpenters who build these homes.
This video will educate homebuyers about the oftentimes shoddy
construction.

Theresia L. Rogerson
community activist


Your steadfast commitment to waging peace, promoting human rignts,
responsible government—and the enormous energy and creativity you
dedicate to that effort always impress me.

Merylyn Whited
community activist
merylyns@activist.com


thank you for the fathers speaking out against the war
thank you for the unbeatable nation
for the July 4th multicultural event
thank you for everything you send!!!
You're the joy in my e-mail box! Hearing and seeing the
people really helps lift the spirit and activate...

Donna Buell
fan in L.A.
hangingon@sbcglobal.net

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