Security Guards Seal Off Anti-Apartheid Students

Thirty high school and junior high school students spent the second day of a sit-in Saturday at the South African Consulate in Beverly Hills sealed off from the outside world.

Beverly Hills Police and security guards prevented supporters and parents from entering the office building on La Cienega Boulevard’s Restaurant Row where the students began their anti-apartheid protest Friday.

“The hardest part is that other people who want to support them have no way of communicating with them,” said Tai Kimbrough, 16 of Culver City, one of about 20 supporters and parents gathered outside the building.

The sit-in was organized by the Los Angeles Student Coalition to commemorate the birthday of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

“This coalition is really dedicated to making a statement about apartheid,” said Justyn Lezin, 17, a senior at Oakwood School in North Hollywood. “All of us feel strongly that what’s going on in South Africa is unacceptable by any human standards.” She had hoped to join the demonstration, but was locked out.

Arthur Goldberg, 46, said his daughter Susan celebrated her 15th birthday at the sit-in Saturday. Goldberg, a veteran of the Berkeley free-speech movement, said he was proud his daughter had chosen to participate in the protest.

Armed with sleeping bags and permission slips from their parents, the young protesters marched into the building Friday and occupied a hallway adjacent to the consulate.

Under the terms of an agreement reached Friday night, the students will be allowed to stay until Monday but will not be allowed to receive any visitors, including their parents, said Beverly Hills Police Lt. David Griffey.

Consular officials were not available for comment Saturday.