Description: David Boeri reports that Jesse Jackson spoke at the Massachusetts State House about the importance of access to higher education. Boeri notes that some students cannot afford higher education because of the increasing costs of higher education and federal cuts in student aid. Many supporters turned out to listen to Jackson. Jackson talks to the audience about the importance of education. Jackson addresses the media after his speech.
1:00:10: Visual: Footage of Kevin Sheehan (State Student Association of Massachusetts) talking about college students who must work forty hours per week on top of taking classes. Footage of Mike Ferrigno (State Student Association of Massachusetts) addressing a crowd at the State House about the debt incurred by many students in college. David Boeri reports that many low- and middle-income college students are incurring heavy debt in colleges; that some students can not afford to go to college. V: Shot of students walking on a campus. Boeri reports that speakers at a State House rally attacked federal cuts in federal aid to students. Boeri notes that the cuts come at a time when tuition and the cost of living are increasing; that grants are less easy to obtain. V: Shot of speakers and the audience inside the State House. Footage of Jesse Jackson (African American political leader) speaking about the importance of access to education. Boeri reports that Jackson said that universities have let the enrollment numbers fall for African American, minority, and low-income students. V: Shots of the members of the audience, including Mel King (community activist), Bill Owens (former state senator) and Shirley Owens Hicks (state representative). Footage of Jackson urging students to protest cuts in student aid. Jackson condemns the priorities of Ronald Reagan (US President). Jackson says that Reagan is "embarking on a trillion dollar misadventure in space." Jackson tells students that they need to stay sober, fight the Star Wars program and to "vote with Red Sox fever." The audience applauds as members rise to their feet. Footage of Jackson speaking to the media after his speech. Jackson uses the parable of Jesus Christ to illustrate society's obligation to cater to the needs of the poor and needy. Jackson says that many children are "locked out and living in the manger." Bruce Bolling (Boston City Council) is visible behind Jackson. Boeri reports that the State Student Association has registered over 5,000 new student voters; that the students will vote for more affordable education in November.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/17/1986
Description: Meg Vaillancourt reports that Robert Mugabe (Prime Minister of Zimbabwe) was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Vaillancourt's report includes footage of Mugabe receiving his doctoral hood from Maki Mandela (daughter of Nelson Mandela) and footage from Mugabe's speech and press conference. Vaillancourt reports that Mugabe spoke out against apartheid in South Africa and advocated sanctions against the South African government. Vaillancourt reviews Mugabe's career. Comments on President Reagan's political actions concerning Apartheid. Vaillancourt's report includes footage of Mugabe in Zimbabwe.
1:00:06: Visual: Footage of Robert Mugabe (Prime Minister of Zimbabwe) speaking at the commencement ceremonies at University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Mugabe applauds the US Congress for considering sanctions against South Africa. Meg Vaillancourt says that Mugabe talked about sanctions against South Africa in his speech at UMass Amherst; that Mugabe was honored by the university for "his efforts to establish racial harmony between blacks and whites." Vaillancourt notes that Mugabe was presented with an honorary doctorate of laws. V: Shot of Mugabe receiving his doctoral hood from Maki Mandela (daughter of Nelson Mandela). Vaillancourt reports that Mugabe became Zimbabwe's first prime minister in 1980; that Zimbabwe had been known as Rhodesia under colonial rule. V: Shots of Mugabe and his cabinet in 1980; of white colonial rulers before 1980; of a newspaper headline reading, "Black Hitler." Vaillancourt reports that Mugabe was a fierce opponent of apartheid in neighboring South Africa; that Mugabe had spent ten years in prison before emerging as the leader of the Zimbabwean struggle for independence. V: Shots of Mugabe in the Zimbabwean Parliament; of Mugabe being led away by two police officers; of Mugabe entering a military garrison. Vaillancourt notes that Mugabe is a strong supporter of black South African leaders. V: Footage of Mugabe at a press conference. Mugabe says that he advocates using all legitimate means to overthrow apartheid; that he advocates armed struggle against South Africa. Mugabe says that he can understand the desire to fight apartheid using non-violent means. Mugabe encourages the use of "maximum non-violence" through sanctions and political pressure. Shot of the press at the press conference. Vaillancourt says that Mugabe dismissed concerns that sanctions would hurt South African blacks. V: Footage of Mugabe saying that black South Africans are already suffering and dying under apartheid; that black South Africans are prepared to suffer under sanctions because they will yield a positive result. Vaillancourt says that Mugabe was questioned about his leadership of Zimbabwe; that there have been accusations of human rights violations in Zimbabwe under Mugabe. V: Shots of Mugabe in a government building; of Zimbabwean troops uncovering an arms cache. Vaillancourt reports that Mugabe says that he has detained those who have tried to overthrow his government. V: Footage of Mugabe at the commencement ceremony. Mugabe says that the struggle for human rights is a universal struggle. Vaillancourt stands on the campus of UMass Amherst. Vaillancourt says that Ronald Reagan (US President) is trying to win enough votes in the US Congress to sustain his veto of sanctions against South Africa. Vaillancourt notes that Reagan is promising an African American ambassador to South Africa as part of his weaker sanctions package; that Reagan is expressing concern over a disruption of summit talks if sanctions are approved by Congress. Vaillancourt adds that Mugabe said that the time for compromise in South Africa is over.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/01/1986
Description: David Boeri reports on protests against US foreign policy during a visit by Secretaries of State George Shultz and Defense Casper Weinberger to the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University. Boeri notes that demonstrators protested against apartheid and US policies in South Africa, Nicaragua and El Salvador. Boeri's report includes footage of protesters and footage of Shultz and Weinberger entering the museum. Boeri notes that some of the demonstrators were Harvard alumni advocating Harvard's divestment from South Africa. Boeri interviews Boone Schirmer (Harvard alumnus) about Harvard's refusal to divest from South Africa. Boeri reports that security has been tightened all over campus. This protest takes place during the celebration of Harvard's 350th anniversary. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Mario Valdes reports on the book Blood Royal, which covers the ancestry of the British Royal Family
1:00:10: Visual: Shots of a large police contingent outside of the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University; of police officers marching in formation in front of the museum; of police officers stationed on the roof of a Harvard building. Shots of individual police officers. Shots of officials entering the museum. Footage of apartheid protesters marching with signs and banners outside of Harvard Yard. The protesters carry signs and a banner reading, "Harvard must divest." Shot of George Shultz (US Secretary of State) exiting a car and being escorted toward the museum. Shots of protesters demonstrating behind a cordon of police officers. The protesters chant, "Shultz go home". Shots of signs reading, "Harvard honors destructive engagement and Shultz" and "Biko lives." Boeri reports that Schultz visited Harvard University today; that demonstrators gathered to protest his presence at Harvard. Boeri notes that protesters began to gather outside Harvard Yard in the morning; that demonstrators were protesting several issues. V: Footage of protesters marching as they chant, "George Shultz end the war. Stop the killing in El Salvador." Shot of a protester wearing a white death mask. Another protester carries a sign and wears a bloodied shirt. Footage of protesters chanting, "No Contra aid." Footage of protesters demonstrating against apartheid in South Africa. Shots of a sign reading, "End Harvard support for apartheid" and "Divest now." Boeri reports that some of the demonstrators were alumni and alumnae pushing for Harvard to divest from South Africa. V: Footage of Boone Schirmer (Harvard alumnus) saying that Harvard's refusal to divest is disgraceful; that Harvard's slogan is "Veritas," which means truth; that Harvard is supporting a South African government which is based on the lie of white supremacy. Shot of a quotation written in stone above an entrance to Harvard Yard. The quotation reads, "Open ye the gates. . . ." Boeri reports that the gates to Harvard Yard were locked today to keep out the protesters. V: Shot of a security officer locking the gates. Shot of a protester standing outside the gates with a sign reading, "End support of apartheid." A small child stands at the gates, looking into Harvard Yard. Boeri reports that alumni and alumnae were turned away from the gates. V: Shot of a Harvard alumnus turning away from a locked gate. Boeri reports that Shultz had lunch at the Fogg Art Museum after giving a speech; that Schultz had no comment on today's hijacking of a Panam jet in Pakistan; that Shultz only caught a brief glimpse of the protesters. V: Shots of Shultz entering the museum. Boeri notes that Casper Weinberger (US Secretary of Defense) also attended the lunch at the museum; that Weinberger had no comments for the media. V: Footage of Weinberger exiting his car and being escorted into the museum with other officials. Boeri reports that the protests outside of Harvard Yard were uneventful.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/05/1986