Day of sour milk

Press, Issue 33842, 14 May 1975, Page 17

Day of sour milk

(JV.Z.PA Staff Correspondent> WASHINGTON, May 13. It was Human Kindness Day in Washington on Saturday, hut kindness was conspicuously absent from some sections of the crowd of 125,000 and reports of violence are still comingin.

As the huge throng listened to a seven-hour rock concert in the park surrounding the Washington Monument, bands of youths roamed the area attacking individuals or snatching purses, ; wallets, and cameras.

More than 300 robberies and assaults were reported to park police. One of the worst injured was Mr Steven Laine, an aide to the Secretary of Agriculture (Mr Earl Butz). He was stabbed in the right eye, the sight of which he has lost.

Mr Laine said that no-one would help him after the attack. “I said. 'Help me,’ but there was no response — I said it several times, and no-one did anything,” he said.

He walked alone to a firstaid station, and was taken to hospital. Many of the injured were whites who made up only a small proportion of the crowd.

According to the police, the roving bands were mainly black, and one white man who was hurt, said: “It was definitely ‘Get the white folks!’ at the end. I don’t think a Human Kindness Day is possible.”

About 110 persons were! treated at hospital, mostly for cuts caused by punches, or missiles. The police! arrested 18 persons. includ-| ing 12 juveniles, on charges; ranging from robbery and assault to disorderly be- i haviour. Human Kindness Day, an j event described as “an aftermoon of rock music and! [mutual understanding.” was[ organised jointly by the [United States Park Service and Compared To What. A [spokesman for the latter [organisation said that in spite; (of the beatings and purse snatchings, “a lot of beauti-i ful things were going on in the park.”