SANE Supporters Demonstrate at Park Street

Amidst hurrying and often indifferent subway riders, a University group advocating a Sane Nuclear Policy marched with placards, distributed handbills, and carried jibes before WBZ-TV cameras at Park and Tremont Streets yesterday afternoon.

This was the tenth such demonstration by members of the group that helped form Sane in Cambridge last spring. Although frequently accused of favoring lateral disarmament, the groups says it seeks both inspection and controls, as well as halting further bomb testing.

The picketers began at 4 p.m., but crowds rushed past into the MTA station, ignoring handbills the group gave them. NO RADIATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION, THE LIFE YOU SAVE MAY BE YOUR CHILD'S, ARMS RACE OR HUMAN RACE, SANE's signs read. A woman with a baby carriage, four M.I.T. students, and a tall, bearded man joined the line of march.

"These people aren't from Boston," a woman told Harvey Pressman 3G. "But they're Americans," said he. "That doesn't matter," she replied.

"Kind of corny, isn't it?" said a college girl.

A tall man stopped at the MTA entrance to buy a newspaper. "Don't get me involved. I'm a public official," he said. "This has nothing to do with America," remarked a workman. "It has to do with the Eisenhower Administration."

There was also praise. "It is very heartening," declared a short man with glasses. "It is good to see a few courageous people." A British sailor from H.M.C. Sioux expressed what seemed a typical reaction. "If you have a man with a knife and a man with a gun, the man with the gun will win. If both have guns, neither will shoot first."

A small group formed around Stephen Thernstrom 4G, who tried to explain to all comers the principles around which the group had formed. "If you don't like America, communist, (sic) go home," yelled a heckler.

"I have seen how America is losing is the Middle East," began Thernstrom, a former Sheldon Traveling Fellow. "They're losing here now, too," someone shouted.

People gave Thernstrom no chance to finish sentences. He began on foreign aid to India; someone asked him about Hungary. A sailor heckled him, told him how lucky he was to be in college, then launched into a tale of ten years in the Service.

Later, Thernstrom remarked that TV and the frequency of its demonstrations had at least familiarized people with the group. Although initially onlookers had just taunted, now some stopped to listen, even to argue their opinions, he said. The group, he added, will continue to demonstrate on future Wednesdays.

In the background, some bystanders stood about in small groups still discussing ideas which Thernstrom and others had raised in their extemporaneous speeches. But most didn't.