N.Y. Rally Calls for U.S. Sanctions on S. Africa

Tens of thousands of demonstrators streamed into Central Park on Saturday to protest with songs, signs and chants against South African apartheid, calling for President Reagan to impose rigid economic sanctions on the nation.

“We must deny landing rights to South African planes, remove our ambassador and stop Americans from doing business in South Africa, like we’ve done already in Libya,” said former tennis pro Arthur Ashe. “We must put our moral weight on the side of the people in South Africa fighting for freedom.”

The huge rally marked the 10th anniversary of riots in Soweto, South Africa. The actual anniversary is Monday.

40,000 by Midafternoon

By midafternoon, about 40,000 protesters had converged in the park, said a police spokesman, Lt. Ed LeSchack. The crowd was orderly but booed when the rally opened with the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Cleveland Robinson, chairman of the New York Anti-Apartheid Coordinating Council, said he expected more than 100,000 people to attend the rally, spurred by the state of emergency imposed in South Africa last week.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke to reporters before addressing the crowd.

“President Reagan is in a political partnership with (South African President Pieter W.) Botha,” he said. “His policy of constructive engagement has served as a stimulant to South Africa, making the Botha regime more bold and more confident.”

Banners, Posters Waved

The racially mixed crowd waved hundreds of banners, posters and pictures, many of them photos of imprisoned South African black nationalist Nelson Mandela.