Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 25, 1990 TAG: 9004250508
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BEN BEAGLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"We are here to complain about the coverage of Lyndon LaRouche," said Phillip Valenti, the demonstration's organizer.
Valenti, who said he is from Pennsylvania, said he is a LaRouche volunteer who came to the Roanoke Valley when asked by people who were "frightened."
The cause for the fright, he said, is a 77-year sentence given fund-raiser Michael Billington.
Judge Clifford Weckstein followed the recommendation of a Roanoke County Circuit Court jury last December in sentencing Billington for securities fraud.
The LaRouche people have said the sentence was excessive.
That trial, and several others for LaRouche associates, were transferred from Northern Virginia because of heavy publicity there.
Weckstein, several newspaper reporters and local politicians recently have been attacked in LaRouche organization handbills.
As they marched in a short circle on Campbell Avenue Southwest in front of the newspaper building, the picketers chanted slogans renewing the charges.
The charges include one that Weckstein is influenced by the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith - which has published negative articles about the LaRouche organization.
Valenti said his group believes "the ADL has undue influence on your newspaper."
Forrest M. Landon, executive editor of the newspaper, said: "We give a fair chance to everybody - including jailed fringe politicians and their followers."
"We correct every mistake we make," Landon said. "All somebody has to do is write or phone us. They don't have to picket."
by CNB