Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 13, 1990 TAG: 9007130159
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The coalition was organized in 1981 to oppose a planned Ku Klux Klan recruitment drive in the Roanoke Valley. It stated as its goal the maintenance of good racial and religious relations, as well as a dedication to justice and human rights.
The group became inactive about five years ago, said executive committee member Burt Levine, when it was apparent that what had been perceived as problems were being addressed by government and other groups.
Evangeline Jeffrey, president of the Roanoke Valley NAACP and founding president of Roanoke Valley Together, chaired the meeting Thursday and explained the background and history of the group.
Jeffrey said several events of the past year - including the painting of a swastika on a Roanoke synagogue, the distribution of neo-Nazi literature in a shopping mall and alleged racially motivated violence in Northwest Roanoke - were factors that motivated the executive committee to attempt reactivation.
Participants spent some time discussing an apparent lack of recreational opportunities for youth, the small number of black officers on the Roanoke police force and the department's response to incidents in predominantly black neighborhoods, and the need for meetings like the one Thursday to show racial and religious unity.
After the meeting, Levine said while there is no serious threat being faced at the moment, it was important that the community stand up for the right things early.
"We cannot wait for trouble to happen," he said, but must say to neo-Nazis and others who would divide the community that "this is not an activity that we will put up with."
by CNB