In the third consecutive day of protest, about 150 members of the black community marched in front of the HUB early yesterday, reaffirming their commitment to racial justice at Penn State and eventually inviting all members of the University community to join in the struggle.

"This is not a struggle for blacks in particular. This is a struggle for everyone," a spokesman said at the end of the one and one-half hour demonstration.

The protest began at 11:30 in the morning as about 35 black students filed out of the HUB and marched around the HUB turnaround. The demonstrators raised their fists as they circled, chanting slogans such as "Wake up, stop the racism" and "They say racism, we say no." Within 15 minutes, the size of the demonstrators' chain nearly doubled.

Dozens of students watched the demonstration on nearby sidewalks -- walking alongside and around the marchers as officers from University Police Services diverted traffic from the HUB turnaround.

"We will continue to protest in order to make Penn State students, borough residents, the rest of the state and finally the nation aware of the ongoing racial injustice," a spokesman from the group read from a prepared statement later in the day.

"So far we've been consistent and committed to our actions. Our actions have been organized. We have not sought to hurt the University populous -- meaning the students -- in any way, and we shall continue in that aspect," he said at an afternoon news conference.

The students are reacting to what they deem University and community racial intolerance and insensitivity in wake of the past weekend's racial incidents -- which include the reported attack of five black women by 10 white men and the distribution of a flyer deriding Undergraduate Student Government President Seth Williams.

Tuesday night, the students occupied the HUB Fishbowl for four hours, demanding a signed commitment from University officials to take actions to end racial intolerance. Executive Vice President and Provost William C. Richardson signed a brief list of demands, including the investigation of the proposed Racial Discrimination Eradication Board.

Wednesday afternoon demonstrators gathered in front of Old Main and proceeded to the corner of West College Avenue and Shortlidge Road where they stopped traffic for one-half hour. Later, the group of about 150 met in a private meeting at the Paul Robeson Cultural Center.

The momentum of yesterday afternoon's protest grew as the demonstrators clapped and chanted their message to the campus community.

Within an hour, more than 125 students had added themselves to the spirited circle. The demonstration drew to a close a few minutes before 1 as protesters joined hands, completely encircling the HUB turnaround; two protesters then released hands, with one of them turning to lead the file of protesters into the Fishbowl to discuss future plans. Chants quieted as they entered the building.

Students looked up from their books and newspapers as the group wound its way to the center of the Fishbowl, where demonstrators dropped hands to listen.

Ronald Williams (senior-political science) invited students to an open forum meeting scheduled for 6:30 last night. He extended an invitation not only to members of the black community, but to anyone who wishes to be educated about important racial issues.

"I think the message is being heard. Today whites are here too," the man said.

"Students and the administration stand together on this issue," said University Public Information Director Bill Mahon, who yesterday announced a joint response to the protesters' concerns, planned by University and community officials.

University President Bryce Jordan, Mayor Arnold Addison and State College Superintendent of Schools Seldon Whitaker will deliver a message through local print media condemning racism and offering support to victims of racism, Mahon said.

The University is also trying to reach the community through public service announcements by Jordan, Head Coach Joe Paterno and Director of University Safety David Stormer. The announcements, which began yesterday, are being aired on local radio stations free of charge, he said.

"We're trying to rally as much support as possible to let the African-American community know that people in this community care," Mahon said, noting that Paterno was included among the three because of his status as a University symbol.

Lawrence Young, director of the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, said the demonstrations are being held to publicize the basic insensitivity to the concerns of the black community.

"Part of the reason for the activism is to dramatize the level of frustration and focus attention on what students feel is the insensitivity of their classmates, faculty and administration," he said.

"You can't have any real change in behavior and attitudes if those same insensitive attitudes are dominant," he added.

Kevin Carnes (junior-Russian), who watched yesterday's protest from across the street, said, "I think they are looking for an excuse to protest and they are defeating their purpose by what they are doing here today."

"I hope they do not sway opinion in the opposite direction of which they are trying to," he said, adding that he does not believe the protests will succeed.

Melissa Moore (sophomore-individual and family studies) expressed sympathy for the protesters' cause as she watched the demonstration. The protests have conveyed the message of the black community and she has responded in a positive way to their concerns, she said.

"I think it's good that they are doing what they need to do. If they feel this is important . . . then what they are doing is right," she added.

The protesters reiterated the demands they made in response to what they deem University insensitivity to racial intolerance and discrimination.

These demands include the return of the social scientist team this semester, the implementation of the Racial Discrimination Eradication Board and the recommitment of the University to demands made after the 15-hour sit-in last April that resulted in the arrest of 88 students.

The group's demands today included that the University immediately open its budget to the public. This demand was not on the statement Richardson signed Tuesday night.

Rumors that the students will demonstrate at this weekend's Interfraternity Council Dance Marathon and basketball game are unfounded, the spokesman said.