All of Cambridge Is Not Celebrating; Harvard Policies Draw Local Protest

More than 200 alumni, students, and community activists gathered on the Cambridge Common last night to protest Harvard's investments in companies that do business in South Africa and the University's real estate policies in Cambridge.

The rally, organized by a combination of Harvard and community groups, which call themselves the "350th Divestment Coalition," culminated in a candlelight march to the Charles River, where Harvard's 350th birthday bash had already begun.

Former Cambridge Mayor Alfred E. Velucci, the city councilor who led the protesters to the river, said he thought the 350th birthday party was "just a big monstrous campaign to raise money for Harvard." He added, "Papa Reagan has dried up the well, so they've got to get the dough from somewhere."

A large variety of activist groups worked together to plan the rally. Protesters included the Harvard Radcliffe Alumni for Divestiture, the Harvard Tenants Union, the Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers (HUCTW), and the student-run Southern Africa Solidarity Committee (SASC).

Harvard activists said they thought the coalition would continue to work together and strengthen all of the groups' efforts to influence Harvard policy. "Through this coalition, the community has found out that not all Harvard affiliates are snobs," said Tina E. Smith '83.

The crowd, most of whom were not Harvardstudents, held banners such as "Divestment Is aGirl's Best Friend" and "350 Years of This Shit IsEnough" as they listened to city council members,a Harvard professor, local bands, and SouthAfricans.

"Our plea is simple: Tell the companies to getout of South Africa, and if they won't get out,then we'll get out of the companies," History ofScience Professor Everett I. Mendelsohn told thecrowd. As many colleges and cities--includingBoston and Cambridge--have already divested,"leadership is no longer up to us; at most, we canhope not to be the very last to pull out of SouthAfrica," Mendelsohn said.

Cambridge City Councilor Saundra Graham said inher speech that "Harvard is doing the same thingin South Africa that it's doing in Cambridge." Sheadded that Harvard "only recognizes power."

David E. Sullivan, another Cambridge citycouncilor who attended, said afterwards, "I wishit were more possible to work with the Harvardadministration the way we've been able to workwith some of these other Harvard groups."

But he added that with respect totenant-landlord relations and Harvard development,some progress has been made. "Harvard has begun toset up channels of communication with thecommunity, and there is a new openness on the partof certain administrators," he said.

Reverend Kenneth Carstens and African NationalCongress representative Aggrey Mbene also spoke,and several bands, including the HUCTW Pipets andthe reggae band Bim Skala Bim, played during therally.

Other events planned by the activists duringHarvard's anniversary festivities include a pickettonight at the Charles Hotel, and a picket ofGeorge Shultz during his convocation Fridaymorning