University May Punish Obstructors

A University official said last night that "appropriate action" may be taken against a group of demonstrators who blocked President Bok's entrance into Massachusetts Hall.

"We're trying to identify some of the people involved in the demonstration. It is clearly unacceptable to block access to a building," Daniel Steiner '54, general counsel to the University, said last night.

"A small number of people acted very irresponsibly and that is unfortunate," Steiner said, adding, "If they think they're serving the cause of black or white people in South Africa or anywhere, people are sadly mistaken."

Okay, Anyway

Despite this incident, however, officials labelled yesterday's demonstration relatively peaceful and praised the work of some 25 University policemen, about ten of whom were in plainclothes, who monitored protest activities.

Uniformed police stood both inside and outside the locked doors of University and Massachusetts Halls. The mood in University Hall was quiet as three policemen guarded the southeast door, the building's only unlocked entrance, and barred all access to the building.

Police in Holyoke Center did not attempt to block United Front members' efforts to distribute leaflets, talk with employees and leave messages for officials. Cambridge police officers did not appear at the rally.

Morning Meeting

William A. Lee, acting chief of University police, said he met with a United Front leader yesterday morning, adding, "They have organized very well."

United Front marshals kept the pre-demonstration march and the rally orderly. They had disbanded by the time a group of demonstrators blocked Bok's entrance into Mass Hall.

Steiner said last night, "For the foreseeable future, we will continue some security precautions because today's events prove that a small number of people can cause some problems."