ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, September 28, 1996 TAG: 9609300057
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: MONETA
SOURCE: JOANNE POINDEXTER
MEMO: NOTE: Shorter version ran in Metro edition.
A Monday Staunton River High School assembly featuring anti-death penalty activists has been canceled because of the political ramifications of the subject.
Principal Jim Phares said Friday he canceled the assembly after getting calls from parents and after a large number of students chose not to attend the assembly.
The assembly was intended for freshmen who have been studying nonviolence.
During a two-week tour of Virginia called Journey of Hope, they have been speaking out against the death penalty and discussing alternatives.
"I didn't understand the political" nature of the planned assembly until after reading a story on the Journey of Hope in Friday's Roanoke Times, Phares said. "I didn't understand what was going on."
Phares said he tried without success to reach the local coordinators, Bob and Adele DellaValle-Rauth. The couple said during an interview earlier this week that they were the support people and probably would not speak during the assembly. They said students would have been given an opportunity to ask questions.
Phares said although Monday's assembly has been canceled, another may be rescheduled after he speaks with the DellaValle-Rauths.
A Sunday night event that is part of Journey of Hope is still scheduled for Saunders Grove Church of the Brethren in Moneta.
LENGTH: Short : 36 linesby CNB