Activists March for Treaty

Local folk singer Eric Kilborn gave the more than 300 local activists gathered on the Cambridge Common last night the old-time favorites they wanted to hear. The group, which supports the proposed U.S.-Soviet nuclear arms treaty, joined Kilborn in singing tunes such as "Give Peace a Chance."

To Kilborn, who says that he is a regular at Cambridge political protests, last night's protest was indicative of a new mood afoot in the country. "The nation faces an historic time of hope and positive attitudes," said Kilborn, who added that he was very excited about the proposed treaty.

As President Reagan and Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev begin to hash out the final details in Washington this week, representatives from several area disarmament organizations, including the Coalition for Nuclear Test Ban, Mobility for Survival, and Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility appeared in force at this candlelight vigil and march for peace.

Dr. Paul Walker, co-director of the organization for Peace and International Security welcomed the agreement as a positive sign in the overall quest for effective disarmament. He said he and his colleagues wished not only to voice their approval of the INF treaty, but also to convince members of the Senate to support it.

The treaty, which is expected to be signed by both Reagan and Gorbachev this afternoon, will still require a two-thirds vote from the Senate in order to be ratified. The activists filled out several hundred postcards to be sent from the Cambridge community as a petition to Sen. Robert Dole (R-Ka.) and Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) to show public support for the treaty.

Grassroots Democracy

In a speech to kick off the march, Walker stated that major steps towards peace always started at the "grassroots of democracy." He applauded the demonstrators' efforts and said that it was their work over the last few years that had brought about this revolutionary advance towards disarmament.

After Walker's address the marchers lit their candles while Kilborn sang.

The march was escorted by two Cambridge Police cruisers, and proceeded peacefully from the Common, through Harvard Sqare, and down Massachusetts Avenue toward Cambridge City Hall. Marchers carried signs and banners with slogans such as "The INF Treaty: A First Step," and "2000 Warheads Down, 48,000 to Go." The procession stretched for over a half-mile and took up an entire lane of Mass Ave.

At about 7 p.m., the marchers reached the steps of City Hall where Kathy Hoffman, executive director of the Cambridge Peace Commision, welcomed the demonstrators on behalf of the City Council and read a formal statement issued by the council in support of the treaty and calling for further disarmament.