Apartheid Protest

Item Information

Title:
Apartheid Protest
Description:
Callie Crossley interviews several students about the student occupation of Ballou Hall at Tufts University. One female student says that the demonstrators have demanded that the university divest completely from South Africa and that the university increase financial aid for low-income and minority students. She criticizes the administration's decision to bar food from Ballou Hall during the student occupation. She remarks that the demonstrations across the nation prove that college students are not apathetic. Members of this protest have been circulating petitions, recently issued a report on institutional racism at Tufts, and received over 2,000 signatures (more than half the student body) on their petitions. A male student, the editor of the school paper, is interviewed as well who argues that while divestment is a complicated issues, this protest is counterproductive and the students are making things confrontational with the administration. He suggests holding a committee forum to discuss the issue further. He is skeptical that the students' demands will be met immediately. He further discusses Tufts' current image and history in social/political activism. A second female student is interviewed about her thoughts on the issue. An administrator is interviewed and asked about the administration's position on the demonstration. He states that they will let the demonstration run it's course and is working on informing the student body of what the university is doing. He also states that Tufts currently has agreed to selective divestment, not total divestment. Reporter compares this protest to activism seen in the 1960s and 1970s. 1:00:09: Visual: Callie Crossley interviews Alysa Rose (Tufts student) on the quadrangle at Tufts University. Crossley asks Rose about the previous evening's events in Ballou Hall. Rose says that 150 to 180 entered Ballou Hall yesterday evening; that the students refused to leave until their demands were met. Rose says that the protesters demanded total divestment from South Africa and increased financial aid for low-income and minority students. Rose says that there is a great feeling of unity inside the building; that students on the outside are trying to spread the protesters' message. The interview is interrupted by a commotion from Ballou Hall. Shots of security guards trying to keep students from throwing food to the protesters. One security guard catches a box of crackers. Crossley continues the interview. Rose says that she left the building in order to circulate a letter to Tufts' professors, encouraging them to show their support for the protesters. Rose talks about the protests which are being held across the nation. Crossley asks if the administration has met with the protesters. Rose says that the deans of the university met last night; that they decided to close down Ballou Hall, which houses the administrative offices of the university. Rose says that the deans are not allowing students or food into the building. Rose condemns Jean Mayer (President of Tufts University) for not allowing food into the building. Rose says that there are some seniors in the building who say they will not come out of the building, even for graduation. Crossley comments that college students today have a reputation of being apathetic. Rose says that these protests prove that today's students are not apathetic. Rose notes that Jesse Jackson (African American leader) is touring campuses; that Jackson tells students not to be materialistic or to become "yuppies"; that she is not sure if she completely agrees with Jackson. Rose says that she hopes that people in South Africa hear about the protests in the US. Rose says that she feels a kinship with protesting students at other colleges. Rose names other universities where protests are being held. The crew takes cutaway shots of Crossley and Rose. Crossley asks Rose if she knew what apartheid was before she came to Tufts. Rose says that she only recently became aware of apartheid. 1:04:51: V: Crossley sets up an interview with Michael Mayo (student, Tufts University). Crossley asks for the Mayo's opinion on the protests. Mayo says that he does not agree with the protesters' confrontational approach to the issue; that divestment is a complicated issue. Mayo says that he supports efforts to draw attention to the issue of apartheid. Mayo says that confrontation is counterproductive and has led to a stalemate between the protesters and the administration. Mayo says that the Tufts administration opted for a policy of selective divestment in 1979; that the university does not invest in companies which refuse to sign the Sullivan Principles. Mayo suggests that a committee of students, faculties and administrators discuss the issue of complete divestment. Mayo says that the student demonstration is disruptive. Mayo says that the students will probably leave the building over the weekend; that finals are coming up for most students. Mayo says that he has heard that the mood inside the building is becoming less enthusiastic. Mayo notes that the protesters begin to chant when the media show up. Mayo says that the protesters have drawn attention to the issue; that he is not sure if the administration will decide to divest as a response to student demonstrations. Crossley asks about student attitudes toward the demonstration. Mayo says that some students disagree with the protesters' methods; that some students view the demonstrators as "leftovers" from the 1960s. Mayo comments that the demonstrators had been circulating petitions protesting "institutional racism" at Tufts; that over 2,000 people signed the petitions. Mayo says that he is not sure if all of the 2,000 signees understood the issues brought up in the petition; that some signees wanted to be part of the 1960s "resurgence." Crossley comments that college students today have a reputation of being apathetic. Mayo says that there is a history of protest demonstrations at Tufts. He talks about specific protests in the 1960s and 1970s. Mayo says that the renewal of activism on campus is "refreshing." The crew takes a cutaway shot of Crossley and Mayo. Mayo talks about his experiences as editor of the campus newspaper. 1:09:16: V: Crossley sets up an interview with Tiffany Wheeler (Tufts student). Crossley asks for Wheeler's opinion on the protests. Wheeler says that the protests are a good thing; that she wishes she could help out more; that she signed petitions and attended the rallies. Wheeler says that she thinks the protest might help change the administration's policy. Crossley comments that college students today have a reputation of being apathetic. Wheeler says that she hopes that these protests signal a renewal of campus activism. Crossley thanks the student. 1:10:10: V: Shot of a protest sign reading, "Invest in students, not in apartheid." The protesters are heard chanting, "We need your support" and "The people united will never be defeated." Shot of a white female protester. Tufts University police officers stand in front of the Ballou Hall. Student protesters sit and stand in the entrance and foyer of the building. Crossley asks a police officer why the administration is not allowing food into the building. The officer tells Crossley to ask the chief of the Tufts police force. The officer directs Crossley to the chief. 1:10:58: V: Thomas Foster (Chief, Tufts University Police Department) stands with another man near the side of Ballou Hall. Crossley asks Foster why food is not being allowed into the building. Foster tells Crossley to speak to Curtis Barnes (Tufts University Communications Department). Crossley asks Foster when the administration decided to keep food out of the building. Foster says that the administration decided at the beginning of the protest to keep food from the building. Foster tells Crossley to ask Curtis Barnes about the university's policy toward the demonstrators. 1:12:03: V: Shot of a typed sheet reading, "What's going on at Ballou?" The typed sheet explains the background of the student demonstration at Ballou Hall. The chants of the demonstrators are audible in the background. 1:12:33: V: Crossley sets up an interview with Barnes. Crossley asks about the administration's position. Barnes says that the administration will let the demonstration continue; that student protests are part of the educational process. Barnes says that the administration's policy at this time is to abide by the Sullivan Principles. Barnes says that he hopes the demonstration will end soon. Crossley asks if it is true that the university has agreed to selective divestment. Barnes talks about the Sullivan Principles. Barnes says that the university has sold its stock in companies which refuse to abide by the Sullivan Principles. Barnes notes that the university holds stock in a company which is currently deciding whether or not to abide by the Sullivan Principles; that the university will sell the stock of that company if the company does not choose to follow the Sullivan Principles. Barnes adds that some people think that total divestment is a bad idea. The official says that stockholders are the people who can influence the policies of major corporations; that stockholders can change the policies of corporations doing business in South Africa. Crossley asks the official if the administration will change it position in response to the demonstration. Barnes says that he is preparing a fact sheet to inform all Tufts students about adminstrative action to combat racism. Barnes notes that the administration has strengthened financial aid packages for incoming minority students. Crossley asks if the administration plans to meet with the students protesters. Barnes notes that the protesters and the administration agree on divestment; that they only disagree on the extent of divestment. Barnes says that the administration will not negotiate with the students under any circumstances; that the administration will provide access to information about its policies; that the administration will not negotiate because they are already in agreement with the students. Crossley asks if the administration is feeling pressure to divest completely from South Africa. Barnes says that the administration and faculty have carefully considered the issue. Barnes notes that student protesters have demanded the addition of a course to the curriculum; that the faculty makes curriculum decisions. Barnes says that he hopes the demonstrations will lead to more discussion. Crossley asks why food has not been allowed into Ballou Hall. Barnes says that a student demonstration is not a "picnic." Barnes says that the students are welcome to eat in the dining hall; that the administration will not bring "food caravans" to the students. Barnes says that the demonstrators have put a stop to the proper functioning of the university; that the administration will not allow the demonstrators to cycle in and out; that the administration would like to focus on the issues and return to normal. Crossley asks if participation in the demonstration will keep hurt students academically or keep seniors from graduating. Barnes says that there is time to bring the protest to an end before commencement; that the protesters need to realize that sitting on the steps of Ballou Hall is not the most productive way to focus on the issue. Barnes says that he hopes to resolve the issue in the next few days. The crew takes cutaway shots of Crossley and the Barnes. Crossley asks why the administration is not allowing the students to take crackers or snacks from other students. Barnes says that the students have the option to leave the building if they are hungry. 1:19:29: V: Crossley stands near Ballou Hall. Crossley reports that the current student demonstrations against apartheid are reminiscent of student protests in the 1960s. Crossley notes that the student demonstrations are part of a national movement against apartheid. Crossley reports that students say that they will not back down from an administration which refuses to hear their demands.
Date:
April 25, 1985
Format:
Film/Video
Genre:
News
Location:
WGBH
Collection (local):
Ten O'Clock News
Subjects:
Anti-apartheid movements
Universities and colleges
Demonstrations
Student protesters
South Africa
Places:
Massachusetts > Middlesex (county) > Medford
Medford (Mass.)
Link to Item:
http://bostonlocaltv.org/catalog/V_6ZMA8F718W1ICTX
Terms of Use:
Rights status not evaluated.
Contact host institution for more information.
Publisher:
Ten O'Clock News