Edwards: Cal Could Face Boycott

Harry Edwards, a University of California sociology professor, said Thursday a decision to play in the Copper Bowl could lead to a boycott of the Berkeley school by black athletes.

Edwards, who gained national attention when he organized a boycott of the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games to protest what he described as exploitation of black athletes, said he has been contacted regarding a nationwide effort to dissuade black athletes from attending Cal.

He said he is organizing a petition that will be signed by the university’s black faculty members protesting the decision to play in the bowl game Dec. 31 at Tucson.

Edwards said there is a possibility of protests outside Memorial Stadium Saturday during the Bears’ game against Stanford.

Cal has come under criticism for announcing it will accept an invitation to play in Arizona despite the controversy there over a state holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

Arizona residents voted down measures that would have declared a holiday for the late civil rights leader.