ACTIVISTS PLAN PENTAGON PROTEST

Protesters planning to blockade one or more entrances to the Pentagon tomorrow morning will gather near the building's south parking area for activities scheduled to begin at 5:30 a.m.

A coalition of activists and organizations opposing U.S. policy in Central America said that more than 400 people are willing to be arrested in the nonviolent action. Coalition spokeswoman Beth Perry said that about 1,500 participants are expected.

Jim Turner, a Defense Department spokesman, said Friday that the Defense Protective Service will handle the protest. "We're expecting a peaceful demonstration," he said. Pentagon officials said that Corridor 4, the heliport entrance, will be closed during the demonstration.

The Arlington Police Department's Special Operations Section plans to send about 30 officers to handle any traffic problems, with additional officers and state police on standby, said Arlington Lt. Stephen L. Hall. The officers will close parking lot ramps and detour Pentagon traffic as needed, he said.

The protest, part of a national campaign called "El Salvador: Steps to Freedom," is expected to include peace activists Daniel Ellsberg and David Dellinger. Dellinger coordinated an October 1967 Pentagon demonstration attended by more than 30,000 people opposing the war in Vietnam.

Tomorrow's scheduled events begin with a 5:30 a.m. interfaith service, followed by a 6 a.m. rally, the blockade and a display of a mock graveyard of those killed in the Salvadoran civil war.

Perry said that "a number of different places are among our options" for the blockade. It was not known how long the demonstration would last, but the coalition's permit is valid until 5 p.m.

Among the coalition's sponsoring groups are the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador, the Religious Task Force on Central America, and the Pledge of Resistance.

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