More than 50 people protested outside the Kappa Sigma fraternity house Saturday before a visit by Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole, condemning his association with a "racist" fraternity.

Today will mark the first day of a weeklong candlelight vigil, reminiscent of last month's vigils, organized by members of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan to continue rallying against Kappa Sigma.

However, MEChA is not officially sponsoring the vigil, said Tomas Martinez, president of the organization.

Last month, MEChA picketed in front of the Kappa Sigma fraternity house, 1423 E. First Street, because of an incident last fall during which a Kappa Sigma member allegedly called a MEChA member a "spic" during a speed soccer game.

Robert Martinez, a Coronado Hall resident who participated in January's protests, said he began receiving harassing phone calls the day after the anti-racism rally Feb. 1.

Four times, Martinez said, the caller told him, "Stop what you're doing or I'll shit down your neck and choke you." Martinez said he believes the calls were made because of his association with the ethnic organization.

A UAPD investigation determined that the caller was a Coronado resident living near Martinez and a member of Kappa Sigma.

"If he's calling, he's a (coward) because he doesn't want to face me," Martinez said.

According to a UAPD report, the caller said the harassing calls were not intended for Martinez.

The case was referred to Veda Hunn, assistant dean of judicial affairs, said Carol Thompson, associate dean of students.

Martinez said, "I have to be loud about it, I don't want this to happen again to me or to anyone. Why should it? This goes on all the time."

Because the tri-university Code of Conduct does not have a provision prohibiting hate speech, Hunn will determine whether the phone calls can be considered harassment, Thompson said.

Jennifer Jones, assistant director of Greek Life, said she was not aware of any harassment charges against a fraternity in her past three years as director.

"There's no doubt it's going to hurt (the fraternity)," said Mike McCoy, political science sophomore and Kappa Sigma member.

Scott Jeffery, president of Kappa Sigma, said the fraternity is conducting an internal investigation, but would not comment on any aspect of the case.

"Now it's in writing," said Tomas Martinez. "It's a lot more than just name calling and now it has escalated to death threats."

Demonstrators yesterday came from the UA, Tucson High School's Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan, San Francisco, Oakland, Calif., and Rhode Island to represent the many faces of justice and equality, said Maritza Broce, Mexican American studies junior.

Out-of-town protesters were in Tucson as part of a conference for the Center for Third World Organizing, Broce said.

"We wanted to make sure there's a clear message associating racism and Kappa Sig and show Dole that people in Arizona do not support his racism," Broce said.