Anti-Handgun Walk

Six Harvard students raised about $200 in an anti-handgun walkathon Saturday, Daniel J. Kiley '85, Harvard coordinator of the event, said yesterday.

Lucy W. Grantham, coordinator of the walkathon, said about 60 people raised nearly $1500 for Citizens for Handgun Control at the walkathon.

Kiley, however, estimated the total at closer to 30 people.

The ten-kilometer walkathon was the final event of National End Handgun Violence Week in the Boston area. The week started with a press conference Monday and continued with sales of anti-handgun buttons, bumper stickers and t-shirts throughout the week.

Most of the Harvard students who participated in the walkathon said they wanted to show people they felt strongly about gun control and wanted to help the anti-handgun cause in some way.

Several students said they were disappointed by the turnout. Justin Richardson '85 said, "I was really disappointed that only six people from all of Harvard walked."

Dan Rosen, leader of the Boston chapter of the Guardian Angels, and Susan Piver, assistant chapter leader, spoke to the walkers on the philosophy of non-violence. The Angels said guns don't usually protect the people who are carrying them, added that America is in a state of crisis and that people must become concerned about handgun killings.

Participants in the walkathon also heard speeches from two states legislators and received a message of support from Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.).