American Notes California

In a significant victory for antiapartheid activists, the California legislature ap- proved a bill last week that would withdraw, during a three- year period starting in 1988, some $11.4 billion in state funds invested in companies that do business in South Africa. Though as many as 119 universities, 19 other states and scores of cities have opted for or leaned toward divestiture, California's is by far the largest portfolio to be steered away from Pretoria.

Democratic Assembly- woman Maxine Waters, who led the seven-year fight for the bill, believes a message has been sent not just to South Africa but to Ronald Reagan. Said she: "It says you don't have to be afraid. If we can do it, you can too."