SDS Pickets University Hall; Fails in Attempt to See Epps

About 20 people picketed University Hall yesterday afternoon in support of SDS demands that a permit be issued for the SDS National Convention Against Racism here, and that Harvard drop all charges against Ira Helfand '72.

A brief scuffle with University police occurred when several members of the group attempted to enter University Hall, asking to see Dean Epps. Two policemen quickly pushed the demonstrators out the door and remained on guard outside.

"We're making a stand, we're going to have this convention," shouted one of the SDS leaders. "We need the support of everyone on campus." The picket line occasionally broke into chants of "Bar Racism - Not SDS" and "Dump Herrnstein - Not Helfand."

Dean Epps told SDS on Friday that he might refuse to grant them a permit for their convention because of increasing SDS pressure on Richard J. Herrnstein, professor of Psychology.

Mudhole

Helfand was severed from the University last spring for his role in a campaign to make Harvard fill in a Mudhole on its property in Jamaica Plain, the site of two drowning deaths last year. Helfand was warned not to appear on campus without permission.

Helfand said yesterday that he had been thrown off campus twice at night, but did not fear any University action in the daytime.