Deseret Book, Excel Entertainment Group Encourage Day of Digital Silence on May 16 as Way to Honor Survivors, Victims of School Violence
Salt Lake City, UT (PRWEB) May 13, 2015 -- Deseret Book, the Salt Lake City-based book publisher and retailer, and its film distribution subsidiary Excel Entertainment Group, are encouraging a day of digital silence on May 16th as a way to honor survivors and victims of school violence. The day of digital silence, during which people turn off smartphones, computers, tablets and televisions to spend time with family members and loved ones, was inspired by survivors of the 1986 elementary school hostage crisis in Cokeville, WY. During the crisis, 136 children and 18 adults were held hostage by two adults under the threat of a bomb. The crisis ended when the bomb detonated accidently in the small classroom in which the students and teachers were held, killing the two adult perpetrators but sparing all children and teachers.
“School violence is a topic that is on everyone’s mind, with events as recent as the Marysville, WA shooting or the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting,” said Arthur Van Wagenen, Director of Film Distribution with Excel Entertainment Group. “We have been preparing to release the upcoming film, ‘The Cokeville Miracle,’ and with the 29th anniversary of the crisisa pproaching on May 16th, one of the survivors made a point of sharing that the best way to pay respect to the victims and survivors of any school violence is by turning off electronics and spending time with those you love most. We thought that was a fantastic idea, so out of respect for all those whose lives have been impacted by school violence we have decided not to run any advertising, promotional events or social media on May 16th, the day of the bombing. Instead we are inviting our friends, family and fans, to join us in turning off their devices and spending time with the people they love. If people would like to share their experiences afterward, we’d love to hear about them. People can share using #seemiracles.”
Excel Entertainment Group’s “The Cokeville Miracle,” which is set to open in theaters on June 5, retells the story of the Cokeville Elementary hostage crisis. The film focuses on the survivors’ experiences leading up to, during and after the crisis. Many survivors claimed to have witnessed divine intervention that spared the children and teachers from the explosion in the small classroom. Van Wagenen said the day of digital silence will be promoted by Deseret Book and select entities through social media leading up to May 16th. People can learn more by visiting http://www.cokevillemovie.com.
Chelsea Robarge, 44ounces, http://www.44ounces.com, +1 801-721-3018, [email protected]
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