YD's Protest Bank Offices In S. Africa

Harvard-Radcliffe Young Democrats and the Law-Grad Democratic Club last night endorsed a letter condemning the First National Bank of New York City for maintaining branches in South Africa.

The letter stated that because of the bank's tacit cooperation with South Africa's apartheid policy, the National Executive Committee of the Young Democrats will consider withdrawing the $2300 in its account from the bank.

Barry S. Levine, a student at N.Y.C.C. and treasurer of the National Committee, sent the letter to the bank on March 22, claiming that since the First National had branches in South Africa it indirectly supporting the appalling system of apartheid." It is the only American bank with branches in South Africa.

Condemn Racism

The letter explains that the College Young Democratic Clubs of America condemned South African racism. Support the U.N.'s boycott measures to "put economic pressures on the Republic of South Africa in order to end its mockery of human decency."

Robert I. Ronka, President of the Law-Grad Democratic Club and member of National Committee, explained that National Committee co-ordinates the Young Dems' affairs throughout the country. Each separate chapter of the Young Dems has its own account in a bank, while the National Committee banks at First National.

Harvard clubs plan to send a to the New York Times condemning the bank's position.