Boston University

Eighteen Boston University students yesterday continued an eight-day hunger strike protesting the school's $19 million investment in companies doing business in South Africa.

The activists want to express their objection to "B.U.'s immoral investment policy," "the systematic harassment of anti-apartheid activists" at the school and "raise awareness about the anti-apartheid movement," said Yosef I. Abramowitz, a student who initiated the strike.

The fasters have taken refuge against possible administrative intervention by moving into Hillel House, the only building on campus not owned by the school. They are eating no solid food and plan to fast "until it's counterproductive to continue," Abramowitz said.

Abramowitz said that although the strike may not directly effect change in school policy, "it plays a central role in the dynamics that cause a change in the policy."

B.U. has not taken any action against the fasters, but Dean of Students Ronald L. Carter said that, "If [Abramowitz] thinks that his hunger strike is going to force us to change our position, I can only say that I will take him to the hospital when he falls into a coma."

Carter also said that "he is lying about any harassment of a SATF group."