OXFORD STUDENTS PROTEST 'RIVONIA' SENTENCES from D. Dickson & C, Arthur
As the results became known there was at 2.00 pem. a demonstration of some 150 who had a 2-minutes! silence and sunz two verses of "We shall overcome", Then in the evening of the same day (Friday), by coincidence, Dr. Carel de Wet, the South African Ambassador was to have spoken at the Oxford University Conservative Club, The Ruskin Students Against Apartheid organised a counter-~ demonstration led by Judith Hart, M.P., and Dr. Yadoo, On the advice of Police and his - » Secret Service, de Wet cancelled his visit and the South African Embassy issued a statement which said this was done because “of a build up of hostile elements unconnected with the university." However, we still held our demonstration as a protest against the sentences, with a march across town to a meeting addressed by Judith Hart, It was attended by Ruskin students, students from other colleges, trade unionists ( pressed steel workers were prominent), Labour Party members and citizens from Oxford. In all about 500 people took part. Both demonstrations were organised by Ruskin students since the University proctors had banned those under their jurisdiction from doing so.
We were disappointed that de Wet chose to stay in London rather than face the anger of the people of Oxford and we regret the fact that he had not the moral courage to attempt to justify the policies of Apartheid. As the demonstrators marched through the streets they sang "All men shall be free some day" This was the theme of the meeting and we shall continue to work for that end, even though de Wet attempts to smear us as a hostile element. We will always be hostile to the policies of Apartheid.