The group announced that as of Monday, a survey being conducted within federal agencies found that 6116 out of 7407 persons-or about 83 per cent of the employees-supported the immediate and complete cessation of bombing and the immediate and complete withdrawal of U. S. troops from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
Late Tuesday, Rennie Davis and John Froines-two Chicago defendants arrested in Washington by FBI agents and charged with conspiracy-gained release after paying 10 per cent of the $25,000 bonds set for them. Davis and Hosea Williams, deputy program director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, spoke at a rally yesterday at the University of Maryland, where 1500 demonstrators blocked U. S. Highway 1 for over an hour.
After being dispersed by police, demonstrators tried unsuccessfully to storm the university's administration building, where they engaged police in a serious scuffle.
Police were careful again yesterday to photograph and fill out short arrest forms for each person taken into custody at the Capitol, thereby insuring that no one would gain release because of illegal arrest procedures.
Washington Chief Superior Court Judge Harold H. Greene ruled Tuesday that police had employed unlawful procedures in arresting over 7000 demonstrators during widespread street-fighting Monday.
Superior Court judges are working around the clock arraigning the 4500 demonstrators arrested yesterday and Tuesday. Bail varies from case to case but is usually about $200 to $250. Some persons are being released after paying 10 per cent bail collateral, while others are being held pending payment of the full amount.
Several persons arrested Monday-including at least two newsmen-have indicated that they will file suit in Federal court against the Washington Police Department for illegal arrest.
Thousands Still in Custody
It is difficult to judge how many people are still in custody awaiting arraignment, but estimates range from 2500 to 4500. The Washington Coliseum-one of the temporary detention centers established by police-is reportedly nearly filled to capacity. Police are having difficulty feeding and making other arrangements for arrested demonstrators.
Washington police reported no traffic disruptions yesterday during rush hours. Substantial numbers of policemen had been dispatched to Mayday targets for the third consecutive day.
Almost all Federal troops are out of the city already and police shifts are beginning to wind down for the first time in over two weeks.
Mayday organizers say they will resume antiwar demonstrations today, although numbers are dwindling due to arrests and to the increasing number of protesters leaving the city. Almost 200 people met last night at St. Stephens Church in Northwest Washington to decide strategy for today.
As one tired policeman, on duty for the 15th consecutive day, said yesterday at the Capitol, "Jesus, these people have a lot of energy."