SDS members are now circulating a petition in support of ghetto riots, and are planning to print the statement as a full-page advertisement in the Record-American.

"The mass media, including the Record-American, portray ghetto uprisings as 'aimless riots' caused by 'the long hot summer,' " the petition says, adding that those who have signed it "feel that an ad is necessary to publicly expose the media's distorted reporting of ghetto rebellions."

The cost of the $1700 ad is being raised through 50-cent donations from each person who signs it. Organizers of the petition said yesterday that they have already collected $200.

But it is not yet clear that the Record-American will accept the ad.