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Harvard Law School takeover

Description: Marcus Jones reports that fifty students at Harvard Law School have occupied the dean's office to demand an increase in minority faculty at the school. The students have presented the school with a list of demands, including the promotion of professor Derrick Bell to the position of dean of the school. Interview with Robert Wilkins of the Harvard Black Law Students Association about the lack of diversity among faculty members and about the students' demands. Interview with Derrick Bell. Students at universities across the nation are protesting racism and a lack of diversity on college campuses. Jones' report includes footage of Harvard Law students in the Dean's office and footage from Frontline of a campus protest against racism.
1:00:17: Visual: Shots of Harvard Law students studying their textbooks as they occupy the Dean's office in the administration building of Harvard Law School. Most of the students are African American. Marcus Jones reports that 50 Harvard Law School students marched into the administration building in the afternoon; that most of the students are African American; that many of the students wore black as a show of solidarity. V: Footage of Robert Wilkins (Harvard Black Law Students Association) saying that the students want the administration to deal with the problem of minority faculty at the school; that the school has no specific goals, programs, or ideas to increase the numbers of minority faculty. Shots of the students studying as they sit in the dean's office. Jones reports that the students presented James Vorenberg (Dean, Harvard Law School) with twelve demands; that one of the demands is for the school to hire at least twenty tenured or tenure-track minority professors over the next four years. Jones notes that other demands include the hiring of an African American female faculty member by fall and the promotion of Derek Bell (Professor, Harvard Law School) to Dean next year. Jones notes that Vorenberg will leave the post of Dean next year. V: Shots of protest signs hanging in the administration building. Some of the signs read, "Why no tenured Asian American?" and "More black faculty now." Shots of signs reading, "Stop racism at HLS now" and "Black female faculty now." Footage of Bell saying that a cross-section of the population should be represented in the student body and the faculty; that diversity enhances quality instead of harming quality. Shots of students studying texts as they occupy the Dean's office. Jones reports that the protests of students twenty years ago forced Harvard to hire minority professors like Bell. Jones adds that today's students are hoping that their protest will force the university to take action. V: Footage of Wilkins saying that there have been demonstrations at universities across the country; that a lack of minority faculty is a common problem. Wilkins says that Harvard should take the lead in dealing with this problem. Footage from Frontline of a campus protest against racism. Jones reports that racism on college campuses is a growing problem; that students are protesting to draw attention to the issue. Jones stands in the administration building with the Harvard students. Jones reports that the tenured faculty of Harvard Law School will meet tomorrow; that no one is sure if the faculty will take a stand on the students' demands. Jones notes that the students say that the occupation will continue in shifts to accomodate those who are taking final exams.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 05/10/1988

Harvard Law takeover ends

Description: David Boeri reports that a group of Harvard Law students occupied the Dean's office overnight to protest the lack of minority faculty at the school. The students held a rally for their cause this morning. Charles Ogletree, a visiting Ppofessor at Harvard Law School, addresses a rally of students outside of the school. The sit-in is over for now and that student leaders met with James Vorenberg, the Dean of Harvard Law School) to discuss their demands for an increase in minority faculty members. Interview with Robert Wilkins, of the Harvard Black Law Students Association, about the meeting with the Dean. Boeri reads a quote from Vorenberg about the meeting. The students and the administration disagree about some of the students demands. The school faculty will need to vote on the students demands in the fall.
1:00:04: Visual: Shots of Harvard Law students studying their textbooks as they occupy the administration building of Harvard Law School. Most of the students are African American. David Boeri reports that a group of Harvard Law School students occupied the office of the Dean overnight; that the students are demanding that twenty minority professors be hired over the next four years; that an African American female professor be hired by fall. Boeri reports that the students held a rally today outside of Harvard Law School. Boeri notes that the faculty of the school has only two tenured African Americans and five tenured white women. V: Shots of the student rally outside of Harvard Law School; of a protest sign reading, "Black female on Harvard Law School faculty now." Footage of Charles Ogletree (Visiting Professor, Harvard Law School) addressing the students at the rally. Ogletree says that he is proud of the students; that the students have picked up where the civil rights movement left off twenty years ago. Ogletree leads the students in chanting, "Enough is enough." The students applaud for Ogletree. Boeri reports that student leaders met this morning with the Dean of Harvard Law School. V: Footage of Robert Wilkins (Harvard Black Law Students Association) saying that the sit-in is over for now. Wilkins says that the dean has agreed to seven of the student's twelve demands. Shot of a protest sign reading, "Stop H.L.S. Racism now." Shots of the students at the rally. Boeri reports that the students say that the Dean agreed to a fellowship program to train minority students to become law professors; that the students says that the Dean agreed to student participation in a minority search committee. Boeri quotes James Vorenberg (Dean, Harvard Law School) as saying this evening, "I just wouldn't put it that way. . . I don't know where you draw the line between agreeing to look into something and agreeing to do it." V: Vorenberg's quote appears written on-screen. Shot of a student at the rally holding a sign reading, "The fire this time." Shots of the students at the rally. Boeri reports that there is major disagreement between the Dean and the students on five of the students' demands. Boeri quotes a statement from the school administration as saying that the school will give priority to minority hiring but will not guarantee that specific numbers of minorities will be hired in a given time period. V: The quote from the administration's statement is written out in text on-screen. Boeri stands outside of Harvard Law School. Boeri reports that the students' demands will require faculty approval; that student leaders predict that a vote will take place in the fall. Boeri notes that the students are threatening to take action against faculty members who vote against them.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 05/11/1988

Harvard alums on trial

Description: David Boeri reports that five Harvard alumni and other protesters were arrested for an apartheid protest outside the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University in November of 1986. Boeri notes that the protesters are acting as their own lawyers in court this week. Boeri reports that the defendants claim to have committed the lesser crime of civil disobedience in order to prevent the greater crime of economic support to the apartheid regime. Boeri reports that the judge has ruled that the defendants cannot use this line of defense and has refused to hear testimony about apartheid. Boeri notes that the defendants are testing the limits of the judges' ruling by continuing to introduce testimony about apartheid. Footage of the proceedings in the courtroom. Don Carney (Cambridge Police Department) testifies against the defendants. Peter Bellotti (Assistant District Attorney, Middlesex County) objects to testimony by Sarah Browning (defendant) and Joel Reisman (defendant). Wendy Gershengorn (judge, Middlesex County) issues instructions from the bench. Interviews with defendants Peggy Schirmer and Robert Wolff. Boeri notes that the trial will be slow and tedious. Footage from an apartheid protest at the Fogg Art Museum.
1:00:00: Visual: Footage of court proceedings in the Middlesex County Courthouse. Shots of the judge, bailiff and co-defendants in the trial of Harvard alumni and alumnae. David Boeri reports that five Harvard alumni and other protesters were arrested outside of the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University last November; that the protesters were demonstrating against apartheid outside of a fundraising dinner at the museum. Boeri notes that the fundraising dinner had originally been scheduled for September; that apartheid protests forced the dinner to be postponed until November; that arrests were made at the demonstration in November. V: Footage of apartheid protesters sitting in the museum. The protesters are clapping and chanting. Footage of Don Carney (lieutenant, Cambridge Police Department) in court. He testifies that the protesters were told to leave the area; that the protesters were arrested when they failed to comply with the order. Footage of Peter Bellotti (Assistant District Attorney, Middlesex County) saying that no one was arrested for protesting. Shots of the audience in the courtroom; of a man standing before a blackboard in the courtroom. He indicates locations on a map drawn on the blackboard. Boeri reports that the defendants did not contest the testimony of police officers who arrested them; that the defendants want to use their trial to put Harvard on trial. V: Footage of Peggy Schirmer (defendant, Radcliffe Class of 1938) saying that Harvard has almost $300 million invested in companies doing business in South Africa; that Harvard has no plans to divest those stocks. Shots of the defendants conferring in the courtroom. Boeri reports that the defendants claim to have committed lesser crimes to prevent the greater crime of economic support of apartheid; that Judge Wendy Gershengorn (Middlesex County) has ruled that the defendants cannot use the necessity defense. Boeri adds that the defendants are acting as their own lawyers; that the defendants are testing the limits of the judge's ruling. V: Shots of Gershengorn conferring with the defendants who stand in front of her bench. Footage of Bellotti objecting to testimony by Sarah Browning (defendant, Harvard Class of 1984); of the Bellotti objecting to testimony by Schirmer. Gershengorn sustains the Bellotti's objections. Footage of the Bellotti objecting twice to testimony by Joel Reisman (defendant, Harvard Class of 1975). Shots of Gershengorn issuing instructions from the bench. Boeri reports that the defendants were frustrated by Gershengorn's refusal to hear testimony relevant to apartheid. V: Footage of Robert Wolff (defendant, Harvard Class of 1954) saying that they were at the museum to protest apartheid; that the reason for the protest is relevant evidence; that the jury should be allowed to hear that evidence. Boeri reports that the trial will be slow and tedious. Boeri notes that the defendants are trying to use the necessity defense; that the prosecution objects to much of their testimony.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 05/28/1987

Jesse Jackson at MIT

Description: Marcus Jones reports that anti-war activists protested across the nation to rally public opinion against the use of force in the Persian Gulf, including in downtown Boston. Jesse Jackson visited MIT to speak out against going to war in the Middle East on the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Jones notes that the MIT Initiative for Peace in the Middle East brought Jackson to the campus. Jackson says that the US must not rush to war on January 15. Interviews with MIT graduate students Corrie Lathan and Steve Penn, who oppose the war. Interview with Jesse Jackson, who says that the US and Iraq should negotiate because war is inevitable if talking is impossible. Jones' report includes footage from Inside Edition of Jackson in Iraq. Following the edited story is additional b-roll of anti-war demonstrations and of Jackson at MIT talking about Martin Luther King, Jr.
1:00:36: Visual: Footage of anti-war protesters on Winter Street in downtown Boston. The protesters carry signs protesting the Gulf War. They chant together, "We remember Vietnam. We won't go." Shot of two police officers standing in front of a building. Marcus Jones reports that a group of anti-war protesters demonstrated outside of the Army recruiting headquarters in Boston. V: Shot of a protesters carrying a sign reading, "U.S. Troops out of the Gulf." The protesters chant, "We won't fight for Texaco." Shot of a protester handing out leaflets. Jones reports that anti-war activists took to the streets across the country today; that the protesters are trying to rally public opinion against the use of force in the Persian Gulf. V: Shot of an older white woman wearing a sign around her neck. The sign reads, "Bring our troops home." Shot of two white children standing among the protesters. Jones reports that Jesse Jackson (African American political leader) visited MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) tonight; that the members of the MIT Initiative for Peace in the Middle East brought Jackson to the campus. Jones reports that Jackson spoke out against going to war in the Middle East on the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. (civil rights activist). V: Shots of Jackson greeting an MIT student; of Jackson greeting students as he walks to the podium. Shots of students in the audience. Footage of Jackson addressing the students. Jackson says that the US must not rush to war on January 15. Jackson says that efforts toward peace must be made on King's birthday. Footage of Corrie Lathan (MIT graduate student) being interviewed. Lathan says that she is opposed to the war; that the situation should be resolved in a non-violent manner. Footage of Steve Penn (MIT graduate student) being interviewed by Jones. Penn says that decision-makers in the US understand pressure; that the voice of the people must speak out against the war. Jones reports that Jackson's call for restraint may reflect a change in his thinking. Jones notes that Jackson met with Saddam Hussein (Iraqi leader) last year. Jones reports that Jackson said last year that war would be inevitable if talking proved impossible. V: Footage from Inside Edition of Jackson entering a building in Iraq; of Jackson speaking to Hussein. Jones questions whether Jackson has changed his position. V: Footage of Jackson speaking at MIT. Jones asks Jackson if he has changed his position. Jackson says that he has kept the same position. Jackson says that war is inevitable if talking is impossible. Jackson says that the US and Iraq should "talk"; that the two countries must choose negotiation over confrontation. The audience applauds for Jackson as he walks away from the podium.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 01/14/1991

Julian Bond

Description: Marcus Jones profiles Julian Bond. Jones notes that Bond was a lecturer at Harvard University last fall. Jones interviews Bond about his role in the Eyes on the Prize series and his involvement in the civil rights movement. Bond talks about his beginnings in the civil rights movement and about the 1968 Democratic Convention. Jones notes that Bond was nominated for vice president during that convention. Jones' report includes footage from the 1968 Democratic Convention and footage from Eyes on the Prize. Jones interviews Harvard students Carlos Watson and Natosha Reid about the class they took with Bond at Harvard. Jones' report also features footage of Bond in class with his students. This tape includes additional b-roll footage of Bond in class with his students. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following items: Banks agree to improve access to banking services in low-income neighborhoods Banks improve services to low-income neighborhoods Christopher Lydon interviews Sarah Small Sarah Small
1:00:06: Visual: Footage from the opening credits of Eyes on the Prize II. Footage of Julian Bond (narrator, Eyes on the Prize) talking about the success of the Eyes on the Prize series. Bond says that the first series had a tremendous impact on the viewing public. Bond says that the second series will also have an impact; that he is proud to be associated with the series. Black and white footage from Eyes on the Prize, with narration by Bond. Marcus Jones reports that Bond is the narrator for the six episodes in the first series; that Bond will be the narrator for the eight episodes in the second series. Jones notes that Bond is proud of his social activism. V: Footage of Bond being interviewed by Jones. Bond talks about the accomplishments of the civil rights movement. Footage from Eyes on the Prize with narration by Bond. Jones reports that Bond was a senior at Morehouse College in Atlanta in 1959; that Bond joined the student sit-in movement. V: Footage of Bond being interviewed by Jones. Bond talks about how he became involved in the sit-in movement. Bond says that he has been involved in the civil rights struggle ever since. Black and white footage from Eyes on the Prize of the 1964 Democratic Convention. Jones reports that an African American delegation from Mississippi demanded to be seated in the place of an all-white delegation at the 1964 Democratic Convention. Jones notes that the effort failed; that Bond and other activists challenged the rules of representation at the 1968 Democratic Convention; that Bond was named as a nominee for vice president. V: Color footage from the 1968 Democratic Convention. Footage of Bond being interviewed by Jones. Bond talks about being nominated for vice president at the 1968 Democratic Convention. Bond says that he was nominated in an attempt to seize control of the microphones; that he was only twenty-eight years old. Bond says that the attempt failed; that the reformers were not allowed enough input on the convention floor. Jones reports that Bond lectured on southern politics at Harvard University last fall. V: Shots of Bond with his students at Harvard. Footage of Natosha Reid (freshman, Harvard University) saying that Bond's class has given her perspective on African Americans in politics. Footage of Carlos Watson (junior, Harvard University) saying that Bond's class was one of the best classes of the semester. Shot of Bond in class with his students. Jones reports that Bond intends to do more teaching and television work in the future. V: Footage of Bond being interviewed by Jones. Bond says that great leaders and fiery orators are important. Bond says that ordinary people need to be the leaders of the civil rights movement; that ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things without depending on a leader.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 01/15/1990

MIT professor James Williams

Description: Carmen Fields reports that Dr. James Williams, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will fast each Wednesday in April outside of the office of the president of MIT. Williams is protesting the lack of diversity among the faculty at MIT. There are fourteen African Americans in a faculty of 900 professors. Interview with Williams, who talks about the role of professors as role models and the need for a diverse faculty. He says that he is trying to encourage minority students to fight for change. Interview with MIT spokesperson Ken Campbell, who talks about the university administration's efforts to hire more minority faculty. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Meg Vaillancourt reports on the annual Black/Jewish Seder supper
0:59:01: Visual: Footage of Dr. James Williams (professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology) being interviewed. Williams says that his mother inspired his current protest actions. Williams talks about his mother as a sensitive and caring person. Carmen Fields reports that Williams will fast and work outside of the office of the president of MIT. V: Shots of the door of the president's office; of Williams working at a table near the door. Footage of Williams being interviewed. Williams says that minority students must act; that minority students must not be discouraged by institutional intransigence. Williams says that minority students must act decisively to effect change. Shot of Williams working at the table outside of the president's office. Fields reports that Williams is an MIT graduate; that Williams is dissatisfied with the lack of African American faculty at the school. Fields notes that there are fourteen African American faculty members in a faculty of 900 professors. V: Shot of a building on the MIT campus. Shot of Williams speaking to a group of students of color. Fields reports that Williams believes that African American students and all students need African American role models. V: Footage of Williams being interviewed. Williams says that he is trying to be a role model for minority students through his protest. Williams says that professors are role models even if they do not want to be. Williams says that professor can choose what kinds of role models to be. Fields reports that MIT believes that Williams has reason to protest. V: Footage of Ken Campbell (MIT spokesperson) being interviewed. Campbell says that the university agrees with Williams; that there are too few minority faculty members. Campbell says that two more African American faculty members have been hired since Dr. Charles Vest (president, MIT) became president of the university. Campbell says that the school needs to make more progress. Fields reports that Williams believes that protest is still necessary. V: Footage of Williams being interviewed. Williams says that people must still act in the face of slow-moving institutions. Williams says that people must not give up in defeat.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 04/03/1991

Opposition to Bork nomination

Description: Christy George reports on efforts by the National Conference of Black Lawyers and women's groups to fight the nomination of Judge Robert Bork to the Supreme Court. Bork believes in a strict interpretation of the Constitution, while African American and women's groups believe that the Constitution needs to be interpreted according to the changes in society since the 18th century. Julie Walker (professor, University of Illinois at Urbana) and Adjoa Aiyetoro (Co-chair, National Conference of Black Lawyers) address a meeting of the National Conference of Black Lawyers in Cambridge. Women's groups held an anti-Bork demonstration on City Hall Plaza. Interviews with Gerald Horne (attorney and professor at Sarah Lawrence College), Margaret Burnham (attorney and retired judge) and Barbara Arnwine (Director, Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights) about their opposition to Bork. George's report uses supporting shots of racist literature from the 19th and 20th centuries.
1:00:15: Visual: Footage of Julie Walker (professor, University of Illinois at Urbana) saying that the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution is not strong enough to secure the protection of women and African Americans. Shots of a historical advertisement for a slave auction; of a historical pamphlet titled, "Why I am a clansman"; of a racist photo of an African American girl on the cover of the Pictorial Review; of a sign reading, "No dogs, negroes, Mexicans; of a signs for separate white and "colored" facilities. Christy George notes that the civil rights movement has struggled for equal rights ever since the abolition of slavery; that the Supreme Court has played a crucial role in some of their victories. George reports that the National Conference of Black Lawyers met in Cambridge today; that the Conference opposes the nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court. V: Shots of the meeting of the National Conference of Black Lawyers in Cambridge; of Bork standing beside Ronald Reagan (US President). Footage of Adjoa Aiyetoro (Co-chair, National Coference of Black Lawyers) at the conference, talking about a recent Supreme Court decision. Aiyetoro says that the recent decision allows African Americans to be put to death at higher rates than whites. Aiyetoro says that Bork's appointment to the Supreme Court would strengthen the conservative bent of the Court. Footage of woman at a table set up in City Hall Plaza. A sign on the table indicates that the campaigners are against Bork's nomination. The woman at the table talks to passersby. George reports that women are against Bork's nomination; that Bork has said that women have no Constitutional protection against discrimination. George notes that women campaigned againse Bork on City Hall Plaza yesterday. V: Shots of a woman handing out anti-Bork flyers. Footage of a woman addressing a crowd at City Hall Plaza. She stands in front of a group of women holding anti-Bork signs. She speaks from a podium. A sign hanging on the podium reads, "Reject Bork." The woman says that Bork is a "right-wing ideologue"; that Bork will not support the struggle for equal rights for women. Shots of women at the rally at City Hall Plaza. George reports that Bork believes that the Supreme Court should not overturn legislation unless it is clearly contradict the Constitution. George notes that African Americans and women believe that the Constitution needs to be interpreted according to the changes in society. V: Shot of a young infant wearing an anti-Bork pin. Footage of a woman addressing the crowd on City Hall Plaza. The woman says that the Supreme Court has validated social changes over the past thirty years. George reports that Bork believes in a strict interpretation of the Constitution; that Bork points out that the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees equal protection under the law. V: Footage of Gerald Horne (attorney and professor at Sarah Lawrence College) saying that the Constitution should not be interpreted by 18th century standards. Footage of Margaret Burnham (attorney and retired judge) saying that Bork's interpretation of the Constitution will not protect women and minorities from many acts of discrimination. Footage of Barbara Arnwine (Director, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights) saying that Bork opposed the public accomodations provisions of the 1964 Civil Rights Act; that those provisions allowed the desegregation of public transportation. V: Shots of women at the rally at City Hall Plaza. George notes that Bork's critics do not dispute his legal skills. V: Footage of a woman at the rally talking about Bork firing Archibald Cox (Special Prosecutor). She admits that Bork has a good legal record. Shots of women at the rally holding anti-Bork signs.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/11/1987

Shultz and Weinberger at Harvard

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

Simplex steering committee

Description: Meg Vaillancourt reports on a protest by Cambridge activists against plans proposed by MIT to develop a parcel of land near Central Square. Protesters accuse MIT and the developer of misleading the public by underestimating the size and scope of the project planned for the Simplex site. Bill Cavellini from the Simplex Steering Committee and Ken Campbell of MIT discuss the plans for the site. Vaillancourt reviews the plans for the site. The protesters differ with MIT over the amount of low-income housing to be built on the site and on the definition of low-income housing. Bill Noble from the Simplex Steering Committee criticizes MIT's definition of low-income housing. Cambridge activists and the homeless community are at odds with one another over the most effective form of protest against the development. At a protest, a scuffle breaks out between one of the activists and a homeless man. Community activist Mel King tries to make peace between the two sides. The Cambridge City Council will soon vote on the planned development. Following the edited story is additional b-roll footage of students on the campus of MIT in warm weather.
1:00:05: Visual: Footage of a group of protesters marching through a snowy lot near Central Square in Cambridge, chanting "We say no to MIT." Meg Vaillancourt reports that a small band of Cambridge activists are protesting the development of 27 acres of land owned by MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology); that MIT is working with Forest City Developers to build a multi-million dollar research and development complex; that the proposed site is known as the Simplex site. V: Shots of protesters standing near a sign for University Park at MIT; of the sign for University Park. Footage of a protest leader addressing the crowd of demonstrators. The protesters carry signs. Vaillancourt reports that the activists claim that developers deliberately misled the public; that the developers underestimated the size and scope of the project. V: Footage of Bill Cavellini (Simplex Steering Committee) saying that the developers told the public that they would build a $250 million development; that the developers will build a $500 million development. Cavellini tells Vaillancourt that the activists received documentation about the development from a confidential source. Cavellini says that Forest City Developers have been deceptive and have breached the public's trust. Footage of Ken Campbell (MIT) saying that the activists got hold of documents from October of 1987; that the Cambridge City Council approved the plan for the site in December of 1987; that the plan approved by the Council includes 400,000 square feet of housing. Shot of documents and information distributed by the opponents of the plan. Vaillancourt reports that the University Park Development Plan includes housing, a hotel and a 12-screen cinema; that a four- to six-screen theater had been discussed by the developer in public. V: Shot of a vacant lot in Cambridge, covered with snow; of a group of people standing outside of a house in Cambridge. Vaillancourt reports that opponents say that numerous zoning changes will be required to build the project, including the widening of streets and the removal of the city fire station in Central Square. V: Shot of a group of protesters; of a sign reading, "Cambridgeport has decided to stop MIT expansion." Vaillancourt says that MIT and the Simplex Steering Committee differ on how much low-income housing will be built on the site. V: Footage of Campbell saying that MIT has doubled the amount of affordable housing in the original proposal; that MIT is proposing 100 low-income units and 50 moderate-income units. Footage of Bill Noble (Simplex Steering Committee) saying that MIT's definition of low- and moderate-income is not accurate; that MIT is really proposing moderate- and middle-income units. Vaillancourt reports that there are many homeless people in the area; that activists and the homeless do not always agree on how to oppose the development. Vaillancourt says that the homeless do not think that the protesters are representing the interests of the homeless. V: Footage of a female protest leader addressing the demonstrators and the press. A scuffle breaks out between Cavellini and Carlos (homeless man). Footage of Carlos addressing the demonstrators. Carlos says that affordable housing is not the same thing as housing for the homeless. A female protester yells that Carlos does not represent the views of the community. A shouting match ensues. Vaillancourt reports that Mel King (community activist) tried to bring the two sides together. V: Footage of King addressing the crowd. King says that the two sides must unite to fight against the greed of MIT. Members of the crowd cheer. Vaillancourt reports that the Cambridge City Council will vote on MIT's proposal on Monday.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 01/07/1988