SASC Holds Memorial For Victims Of Apartheid

A group of about 30 students staged a candlelight vigil on the steps of Memorial Church in below-freezing temperatures last night as a memorial to South Africans who have died fighting apartheid.

The vigil, organized by the Southern Africa Solidarity Committee (SASC) and funded in part by Education for Action, was intended to raise the Harvard community's awareness of the ongoing problems in South Africa, said SASC member John M. Richardson '91.

"The situation in South Africa is very bad," Richardson said. "SASC's goals are more than just pushing Harvard for divestment."

During the vigil, event organizer M. ScottMurphy '92 made a short speech paying tribute toStephen Biko, an anti-apartheid activist who wasbeaten to death in a South African prison in 1977.

Murphy then called upon Harvard to divest fromits remaining holdings in companies that dobusiness in South Africa, which currently total$138 million.

"I think it's disgusting that Harvard willinvest in companies where the workers are treatedlike slaves," Murphy said.

The vigil ended with a moment of silence and ataped rendition of the African Anthem.

On Thursday, SASC placed 45 white crosses infront of Memorial Church, bearing the names ofSouth Africans who have died in recent years.Murphy said the crosses were intended to providepublicity for last night's vigil.

Murphy said that facilities and maintenanceworkers disposed of the crosses early thismorning