Caskets Represent Deaths : Symbolic Funeral March Protests S. Africa Policy

Dozens of political leaders and celebrities, including Jesse Jackson and actor Paul Newman, led several hundred demonstrators on a symbolic funeral procession to the State Department today, protesting South Africa’s apartheid system.

The demonstrators, estimated at 5,500 by district police, carried 50 black cardboard coffins symbolizing South Africans killed in violence there since the government imposed a state of emergency 23 days ago.

Chanting “freedom yes, apartheid no,” protesters marched from the Lincoln Memorial to the State Department, their line stretching about two blocks and including mayors from half a dozen cities, movie stars, union leaders and civil rights leaders.

Among them were actor Paul Newman, singer Harry Belafonte; Mayors Ed Koch of New York City, Marion Barry of Washington and Richard Hatcher of Gary, Ind.; the Rev. Jesse Jackson, and Coretta Scott King.

The Free South Africa Movement organized the march.

‘Destroys . . . Dignity’

At the State Department, the group sang “We Shall Not Be Moved,” then were led in prayer by four clergymen.

“Apartheid destroys human dignity,” said the Rev. John Walker, Episcopal dean of the Washington Cathedral. “It pits race against race and religious community against religious community--a system that encourages violence.”

Procession leaders demanded that the Senate approve House-passed compromise legislation imposing economic sanctions and embargoes on South Africa. They also urged President Reagan to sign the legislation promptly if it reaches his desk.

They also demanded that the State Department “renounce its failed policy” of “constructive engagement” and “move swiftly to implement a new one that has real promise of putting effective pressure on South Africa to end both apartheid and its illegal occupation of Namibia.”

Consistent Policy Urged

“We expect our government to make our national policy consistent with our national ideals,” said protest leader Randall Robinson, head of the black foreign policy lobby TransAfrica.

Robinson said it is time for the United States “to get on the right side” of events in South Africa.

“In the face of rising protests here at home and increasing repression in South Africa,” Robinson said in a statement, “President Reagan has been steadfast in his insistence on offering excuses for the deadly excesses of the apartheid system.’

Walter Fauntroy, District of Columbia congressional delegate, told the marchers, “May the tramp, tramp, tramp of our feet down Constitution Avenue shake the foundation of apartheid in South Africa.”

On Capitol Hill, before beginning their march, protest leaders called for an end to the “shame” of U.S.-South African ties and urged the imposition of sanctions on South Africa.

“The kinship our government has with South Africa is a source of shame,” said Jesse Jackson.

Protests to Continue

Robinson told reporters that demonstrations at the embassy in Washington--where about 3,000 people have been arrested in nonviolent protests since November--will continue “until our demands are met.”

“We say sanctions now. When apartheid has been abolished, sanctions can be lifted,” Robinson said.

“This is a national day of mourning for the victims of apartheid,” said Coretta Scott King. “We believe, as Martin Luther King said, that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

King said actual violence in South Africa “is small compared to the violence” of the apartheid regime. She said there is violence in “poverty and exploitation. There is violence of the human spirit and human dignity.”