University of Virginia Library

200 Students Walk Out Of Founder's Day Ceremony

Coalition Rally Sparks
Procession Picketing

By Pete Shea
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

A statement forbidding the
display or distribution of literature
and signs in the vicinity of the
Lawn was ignored by the supporters
of the Coalition who lined the
path of yesterday's Founder's Day
procession.

The notice, issued and signed by
Robert T. Canevari, Acting Dean of
Student Affairs, stated that "the
area enclosed by the Rotunda, the
Lawns and Cabell Hall has been
reserved ... for the academic procession
and Founder's ceremonies."

No Signs

"Under established procedures
protecting space reservations, no
literature, programs or signs other
than those approved by the committee
for whom the space is
reserved are to be displayed or
distributed in these areas during the
time reserved, and no other meetings
are to be held in these areas
during the time reserved."

"Students not cooperating with
the requests of student ushers or
University officials in these respects
will be subject to disciplinary
action, up to and including suspension,
in accordance with the procedures
established and announced
on 2 May 1968."

Many of the signs that appeared
on the Lawn were distributed by
members of the Coalition who used
Two East Lawn as their headquarters.
Some of the placards read
"Massive Resistance Rivals Constipation,"
"Was Jefferson a Racist or
Isn't this his University anymore?"
and "Flounder's Day."

Much confusion surrounded Mr.
Canevari's notice. Robert Rosen
was first informed of the ban at 11
a.m. yesterday, one hour before the
rally was scheduled to start. Mr.
Rosen was led to believe that Mr.
Canevari would read the edict
himself to the assembled crowd.

Changes Mind

However, after the rally had
begun, Mr. Canevari decided against
reading the notice. He later refused
to comment as to why he had a
change of heart, although he did
say that it was not a question of
legality. Mr. Canevari stated that he
had consulted legal minds before
issuing the statement.

Mr. Rosen and the rest of the
Coalition took Mr. Canevari's
silence as an official retraction of
the notice, however, those students
who later carried signs on the Lawn
were given copies of the order. Mr.
Canevari then said that the statement
was indeed in effect.

It then appeared that a truce
had been reached between the
supporters and administration officials.
No movement to remove the
signs started and the students were
allowed to remain as long as they
did not rush on to the Lawn.

Once the procession started, the
spectators rushed towards the restraining
ropes and the student
ushers who were spaced along the
route of the marchers.

Official Statement

Later, Mr. Canevari released the
following official statement concerning
the earlier notice: "My
statement of 14 April was a
precaution based upon indications
over the weekend that serious
disruptions of the Founder's Day
proceedings might occur. Signs
were in preparation for a demonstration
which could be embarrassing
to our guests and could incite
disorder. At the beginning of the
proceedings I was assured that the
signs would not be disruptive and
the academic procession would not
be impeded. The student ushers
gave out my statement as a warning
and nothing untoward occurred."

Mr. Canevari added that no
disciplinary action was planned.

The doormen at the entrance to
Old Cabell Hall were told not to
allow any signs into the building by
Mr. Canevari. This edict was obeyed.

The Coalition's rally began several
minutes late as the main
speaker was delayed in coming
from one of the symposium being
held yesterday morning. As has
happened at several of the previous
rallies, Mr. Rosen opened with a
welcome to the FBI man, this time
dressed in a blue-grey suit. The
frequent visitor acknowledged the
applause of the spectators by

Photo By Bob Gill

B. F. D. Runk, Leading The Academic Procession, Is Confronted By Sign-Waving Students

Coalition Rally Held On North Steps Of Rotunda Two Hours Earlier Drew Several Hundred People