MORE THAN 1000 IN MARCH

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32352, 18 July 1970, Page 1

MORE THAN 1000 IN MARCH

Orderly Demonstration Against Vietnam War

Christchurch last night had what was probably its second biggest demonstration in recent years. About 1100 persons marched twice through Cathedral Square in protest against the Vietnam war.

Behind a large banner which said: “Mobilise Against The War.” the protesters walked from Victoria Square along Colombo Street, through the Square and up High Street, returning to the Square. They then set off for the university in Worcester Street.

For most df the journey and for most of the marchers this was an orderly demonstration of their protest against the Vietnam war. However, along the way there was a continuing series of minor incidents.

Several times along the route a group in the forefront of the parade decided to sit down. Marchers behind them either walked around them or marshals with loudhailers shouted for the de monstrators to keep moving. There were a few incidents when the demonstrators surrounded cars. In some cases demonstrators thumped or the roof. In each instance, however, the situation was not permitted to develop be cause of swift police action and equally fast action on the part of those controlling the demonstration.

Incidents could well have developed into worse situations. Bystanders calling, “They’re just a bunch of hippies” or others who apparently just invited a fight were | frequently met On the other'

side there were marchers who were equally willing to respond. But Mr M. Horton, a leader of the P.Y.M., said after the march:

“If this is the result of three months organisation—i just tea, buns and a forumjit just is not good enough. •There was supposed to be a I sit-down and it didn’t hapi pen; they changed their minds.” Though no person was arrested during the demonstration the police received a number of complaints from motorists caught in the march who had their cars damaged. Cathedral Vigil Supporters of the Christchurch Joint Council on Vietnam took part in an uneventful two-hour vigil outside the front of the Cathedral in Cathedral Square from noon yesterday, between 20 and 40 people being present at any given time. The vigil was arranged to mark the anniversary of the signing on July 20, 1954, of the Geneva Agreement, which expressed hopes for peace and free elections in Vietnam, “We affirm our support of

the Vietnamese peoples’ struggle for national sovereignty and peace, and freedom from interference from other nations,” read the main placard at the vigil. “We invite you as a lover of freedom to stand with us.”

University’s Day In spite of the decision of the Canterbury University Student Representative Council to boycott lectures as a protest against the Vietnam war, there had been nothing to indicate that yesterday had been anything other than a normal day, said the Registrar of the university (Mr G. G. Turbott). “I’ve been at my desk all day and I’ve heard of no problems,” he said. Mr D. B. C. Cuthbert, president of the Canterbury Uni versity Students’ Association, said the call to boycott lec tures had received a reasonable response. It was difficult, he said, to gauge the numbers of students who did not attend lectures but there had been large attendances at seminars and discussions on the Vietnam war held at both the town and Ham sites yesterday. (Other Centres, P. 14)