BRITISH ALEXANDER DEFENCE COMMITTEE INTENSIFIES EFFORTS
By Susan Williams
LONDON, Jan, 24 -~ The Alexander Defence Committee is inten~ sifying its fund-raising campaign in preparation for the appeal of Dr. Neville Alexander and his. ten co-defendants which will be heard March 2 in South Africa.
The projected high point in the campaign will be a demonstration at South, Africa House, Trafalgar Square. The plan is to stage the demonstration on Friday, February 26, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. This will be followed by a march to a central London hall for a pub~ lic meeting or social evening.
Material which appeared in recent issues of the Times Literary Supplement [see World Outlook January 22] has been reproduced and sent, together with an appeal for financial help, to academic circles that might take an intcrest in the case.
_ "It is a great blow to all those interested in academic freedom," the appeal points out, "that this brilliant young man should be denied the opportunity to use his considerable intellectual talents because he places the dignity and freedom of his fellow countrymen higher than personal advancement."
A total of £415 [$1,162] has been turned over to Defence and Aid, the body responsible for collecting and forwarding money to South Africa to help these victims of Verwoerd's racist laws,
Students at various universities and colleges have raised sums ranging from 21 to more than £20, At Hatfield College, Durham University, students raised £21.3.0 by voting a levy of 1s.6d. [$,20] a head.
A Newcastle student sent in £27 [$75.60] on her collection sheets. She raised this through persistently approaching people, primarily students, and explaining the issues involved,
Contributions have come.in from factory workers and teachers, Labour party, Young Socialist and trade-union branches, Amnesty, Anti-Apartheid groups and similar organizations, Collections taken at political meetings have ranged from a few shillings to £35. Student groups, debating societies and United Nations groups have also contributed.
A successful social and dance at Africa Unity House in London ‘raised £50 towards the appeal and a group of Nottingham supporters raised eleven guineas [$32.34] at a similar affair. Smaller, but no less important sums, have been raised by friends through home socials,
The goal of the committee is to double the amount already raised before the date of the appeal.
ROBBEN ISLAND: “HELL