The document is adapted from a Radio KPFA program by Laurie Goodstein. The student movement is not new; there were many vocal and militant protests in the late 70's, followed by quieter petitioning and educational activities. This led some people to conclude that more militant activities might bring results. Multiple factors have influenced the style of activities, including taking cue from the national Free South Africa Movement and from South Africa and leadership from women and people of color. News from South Africa on television has shown Americans both growing resistance to apartheid and government repression. People respond to a whole race of people being denied fundamental human rights....
The document is adapted from a Radio KPFA program by Laurie Goodstein. The student movement is not new; there were many vocal and militant protests in the late 70's, followed by quieter petitioning and educational activities. This led some people to conclude that more militant activities might bring results. Multiple factors have influenced the style of activities, including taking cue from the national Free South Africa Movement and from South Africa and leadership from women and people of color. News from South Africa on television has shown Americans both growing resistance to apartheid and government repression. People respond to a whole race of people being denied fundamental human rights. For some students, opposing apartheid in South Africa is less difficult than responding to events in Central America. Faculty, unions, and legislators are coming out in favor of divestment; more people are becoming involved on campuses who have not been involved before. Approximately 40 campuses participated in the class boycott on April 24. They included not just progressive or big colleges, but also Boise State (Idaho), Humboldt State University (Northern California), and Syracuse (northern New York), where there were rallies and educational actions, although they didn't occupy buildings. Early adopting of computers and the Internet is discussed, as a way to transmit information faster and cheaper. At the University of California-Berkeley, as at many campuses, the movement is composed of staff, faculty, street people, and students; it is ethnically diverse; women and people of color are in the leadership. Differences in cultural and class backgrounds and political philosophies are coming out as people occupy libraries, administration offices, and plazas together. Many people are realizing the importance of bringing the focus back home in that apartheid operates here albeit more subtly.
