The Region - News from Nov. 18, 1985

Local civil rights activists joined a nationwide campaign to collect 100,000 signatures from people opposed to South Africa’s minority white government and its controversial policy of apartheid. The California drive--spearheaded by Assemblywoman Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles), the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People and the Brotherhood Crusade--is expected to last until December, when a four-member delegation plans to present the “freedom letter” to Bishop Desmond Tutu. “Basically, it says that the people of the United States are against the South African government and its apartheid issues, and over 100,000 signatures are here to support fighting the injustice of the system,” said Sheila Eldridge, a spokeswoman.