The Committee to Strengthen Afro-American Studies (CSAAS) will hold a rally in the Yard this afternoon to demonstrate student support of the Afro-American Studies Department.

The rally will begin at 1 p.m. with a march from Moors Hall, North House, to the Yard. Eugene J. Green '80, co-chairman of CSAAS, said last night the march would pass several river Houses, in order to draw a large number of participants.

"I'm personally looking for a crowd of over 500, and I think I'm making a conservative estimate," Green said. He added that CSAAS has tried to distribute posters publicizing the event to every undergraduate room.

The demonstration will reach the Yard at about 2 p.m. Ewart Guinier '33, professor of Afro-American Studies, will talk on the history of the department from the steps of Memorial Church. Selwyn R. Cudjoe, assistant professor of Afro-American Studies, will also speak.

The Major Issues

Mark Smith '72-4 will attempt to "tie together major campus issues," including the Afro-American Studies Department, divestiture of South African stock, and the need for women's studies, Green said.

Tony Martin, professor of Afro-American Studies at Wellesley, will speak on the significance of Afro-American Studies throughout the nation, Green added.

Members of CSAAS said they will circulate the committee's petition during the rally. The petition demands four additional Afro-American Studies tenured professors and priority for the department in the University's current fund-raising drive.

Green said the petition has already brought more than 500 signatures from Adams, Currier and Leverett Houses alone. Remaining Houses are still signing, he added. The CSAAS will submit the petitions to Dean Rosovsky.