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Students Commemorate Massacre
By AUC Vigil Against Apartheid
by Sydney Perkins
“Free South Africa... Free
South Africa” chanted nearly 400
students.of the Atlanta Universi
ty Center participating in a Down
With Apartheid Student Vigil
held on the steps of the
Woodruff Library (AUC) on
Monday night, March 20th.
The student vigil, sponsored
by the Coalition of Concerned
Students Against Apartheid, was
to commemorate the March 21,
1960, Sharpeville Massacre in
South Africa. Eighty-five Africans
including students were killed
and 365 more were wounded
while protesting apartheid. The
sponsors of the vigil hoped, by
having this rally, to increase
awareness among the A.U.C.
students about the seriousness of
South Africa's apartheid system
and the conditions which, even
today, black South Africans are
forced to live by. Such con
ditions include the carrying of
passbooks (24 hours a day) by all
black Africans — to be caught
without one is cause for a night
in jail and/or stiff fines. Also the
government inforcing apartheid
has banned all public meetings
consisting of more than five
members.
The Coalition of Concerned
Students Against Apartheid was
successful in bringing about
awareness as those students
participating learn first-hand
from South African students as
they shared, their experiences
and culture while under such a
system.
Students participating in the
late night vigil were enthusiastic
to be a part of a cause for
increasing student awareness
against apartheid. Ntanda
Kabwatha, a freshman student at
Clark saw the vigil as very
encouraging. “Apartheid should
be dismantled,” he said, “being
from that region in Af rica it is
very moving to see so many
students concerned about South
Africa and apartheid.” Krystal
Nixon, a sophomore at Spelman,
said that she was glad to have had
the opportunity to take part in
such an event.
Symbolism was very apparent
as students lit candles in unison
with the theme: Light Your
Torch For Freedom. A torch,
carried in by the South Forty
Runners from the everburning
flame in front of the Martin
Luther King Memorial, was lit in
commemoration of those killed
in the Sharpeville Massacre as
well as for those still under the
apartheid system. There was also
a symbolical burning of a
passbook.
Participating in the Coalition
of Concerned Students Against
Apartheid were the S.G.A.
presidents from the six A.U.C.
schools As Paul Dillard explain
ed, “Now is the time. Let
students of all races speak out
against apartheid. Let the call go
forth — We shall not be moved.”
In unison with the theme
song: This Little Light of Mine,
the Atlanta Gospel Movement
sang two selections. The South
African students also gathered to
sing their national anthem.
The vigil concluded in prayer
asking for justice and peace. As
most students left, few stayed
behind camping out overnight in
preparation for following day’s
rally and march.
Congratulations
to
Adrienne
Johnson
Miss
Collegiate Black
America 1985
LITANY Reading
Lead By: Bernard K. Jackson
Leader:
Today in Sxith African more than 21 million
Black People are totally controlled by 4
and one-half million whites.
Africans cannot vote, buy or sell land, live
or work where they choose.
The system of government in Africa is called
Apartheid. It is the most segregated and
racist system of government in the world.
In South Africa, 87% of the land is reserved
for white minority, 13% for the African
Majority.
Since 1960, more than 4 million Blacks have
been uprooted and displaced from places of
birth.
People:
Free South Africa Now!
Free South Africa Now!
Leader:
Some Corporations Dealing with South Africa are
Coca-Cola.
People:
Control-Data Corporation, General Motor, IBM,
Citibank, Ford Motors, Goodyear, General
Electric, ITT, Western Corporation (Peachtru
Plaza), Xerox and many others.
Leader:
New legislation will make the existing penal
ties even harsher: Five-hundred dollars or
6 months in jail for those who shelter people
who are looking for work, for not having a
permit to stay in an area while you are look
ing for work.
People:
5000 dollars or 12 months in jail for employers
who give work to Blacks without a residence
permit. But we know that South Africa must
be free. She must be free.
Leader:
It was only 25 years ago in the city of
Sharpeville, South Africa, that a group of
students wanted freedom fran this bandage
and it cost their lives and many were
seriously injured.
People:
Free South Africa Now!
Free South Africa Now!
Leader:
I had a dream I seem the student that were
killed in the Sharpville Massacre last night.
They were alive as you and I. I said, "You've
been dead 25 years or more."
People:
"WE NEVER DIE, "SAID THEY, "WE NEVER DIED."
Leader:
I had a dream I seen the student that were
killed in the Sharpeville Massacre last night.
They were alive as you and I. I said, "You've
been dead 25 years or more."
People:
"WE NEVER DIED, "SAID THEY,
"WE NEVER DIED, "SAID THEY,
Leader:
I had a dream I seen the students that were
killed in the Sharpeville Massacre last
night. They were, alive as you and I. But
I said, "You've been dead 25 years or more."
People:
"WE NEVER DIED," SAID THEY, "WE NEVER DIED.
1HE PART IN US THAT THEY FORGOT TO KILL,
IT WENT ON TO ORGANIZE."
ALL:
"WE NEVER DIED," SAID THEY, "WE NEVER DIED."
★
The litany above was read
at the Student Vigil.
Bill Gray: The
LaRouche And Schiller
Taking A Short Cut
First Black Vice
Institute: Saturating
AUC Center For
Into Corporate
President? P.2
False Course P.4
America P.9
■; : iV «.'■*** ‘ '
Sexual Barriers In
Bodybuilding Lifted
For Females p.10