By Wally Rugg

Universe Sports Editor

Oct. 12, 1970

About 75 protestors carried signs and marched outside Arizona Stadium Saturday night prior to the Arizona-BYU football game in Tucson.

Things were peaceful and the most excitement came as bystanders and marchers hurried to get in focus of the many cameras present at the much publicized demonstration against “racism at BYU.”

Several times police had to make the marchers keep moving to avoid congestion of the sidewalks leading to the stadium.

The protestors, all white, were members of the United Front Organization (UFO), an organization composed of many different radical groups or factions on the University of Arizona campus.

The signs carried by picketers condemned alleged racial discrimination at BYU, as well as racism in general. Marchers also protested the compulsory activities fee paid by students at U of A.

According to one of the demonstration leaders, the reason for wanting the compulsory activities fee abolished is to prevent students from supporting BYU’s athletic program against their will.

The large, bearded protestor also emphasized the UFO’s demand for a conscience clause to be written into athletic scholarships. This clause would permit student-athletes to refuse to compete against any institution which has practices or policies with which he does not agree.



Copyright Brigham Young University 22 Nov 2005