The MIT administration invited the fascist and genocidal Sri Lankan leader, who was butchering the Tamil people. Shiva organized protests to chase him off campus & demanded release of an MIT Tamil physicist, who was being tortured.
Most “liberal” activists sought to contain the anti-apartheid movement, and disconnect it from struggles right at home in Massachusetts. Shiva efforts linked the struggles of workers of South Africa and food service workers as well as poor and minority students right at home at MIT.
Shiva marched and led a protest from Boston University across the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge, ending at the MIT Student Center Steps. He then proceeded to burn the South African flag, while MIT Police, white and black, allowed him to do it.
Recognizing the need for more women in science and engineering, Shiva was outspoken against sexism. He was one of few male students who raised his voice following MIT’s removal of the Dean for Women Students Office.
MIT while claiming to be a “liberal” institution was investing in the racist and apartheid government of South Africa. Shiva led a major protest of students and workers to demand MIT cease these investments..