450 Stage Silent Vigil; Protest King Verdict

Joining a number of peaceful protests across the country, approximately 450 students sat silently for 15 minutes on the steps of Widener Library and then walked single file to Quincy House on Friday to vent their anger at the Rodney King verdict.

The event, sponsored by the Black Student Association (BSA), brought together leaders and members of many campus ethnic and minority groups, as well as protesters from other area schools.

"We wanted to allow the Harvard community to express our indignation at the acquittal of the brutal police," said Zaheer R. Ali '93, president of BSA.

A predominantly white California jury last week acquitted four Los Angeles police officers of use of excessive force toward Rodney King, who is Black. The decision sparked violent protests and widespread destruction in cities across the nation.

Participants said they took part in the Harvard protest because they wanted to join others in expressing dismay at the verdict and its results.

"I'm very upset at what's happening in the country and I felt the need to be with other people who are very upset," said Robin W. Kilos '83, a professor at MIT.

Kilos said she was "furious, but not at all surprised" at the jury's decision.

Jessica a. Downy '95 said she 7 VIGIL