Rainbow/PUSH May Scale Back Golf Protest

The Seattle Times ^ | 3-19-03

[Oldeconomybuyer]

The Rainbow/PUSH Coalition plans to reduce its numbers and demands during next month's Masters because of the imminent possibility of war with Iraq.

The coalition probably will avoid acts of civil disobedience and accept the two protest locations approved by local officials, Janice Mathis, the group's vice president, said Tuesday.

Rainbow/PUSH, led by the Rev. Jesse Jackson, and the National Council of Women's Organization have spearheaded protests against Augusta National Golf Club and its all-male membership."We have had a change of mind-set," Mathis said. "There is some feeling that we would have a more muted position if the country is at war. Not that we wouldn't be there, but we'd be there, perhaps, in a less confrontational way."The Richmond County sheriff's office approved one permit Tuesday for as many as 100 people to protest on a five-acre parcel on club-owned Washington Road. That spot was offered as an alternative to two other requested locations closer to the club's main gates.

Sheriff's officials said those locations posed safety problems. But a second site requested by the group was approved without exception, giving Rainbow/PUSH permission to place as many as 100 protesters at Wheeler and Highland roads in front of Surrey Center."It's totally an area of right of way," sheriff's Col. Gary Powell said, referring to the sidewalks surrounding the center.

The group will have to notify local officials whether it will accept or reject those locations.

An anti-Jackson group, the Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny, also applied for a permit Tuesday to protest against Rainbow/PUSH during the tournament.

The sheriff's office has seven days to respond. The tournament starts April 10.

[T Lady]

What?! You mean to tell me where the cameras are, Jesse Jackson won't show up? What's the world coming to?

-Regards, T.

[BrooklynGOP]

Actually, he probably realizes that he won't get much face time since the networks will be too busy covering the war.

[pikachu]

The Rainbow/PUSH Coalition plans to reduce its numbers and demands during next month's Masters because of the imminent possibility of war with Iraq.

More like the 'imminent possibility' of no one giving a rat's patoot over the Rainbow/Push Coalition plans.

[Petronski]

"I am deeply
saddened."

[cake_crumb]

"The Rainbow/PUSH Coalition plans to reduce its numbers and demands during next month's Masters because of the imminent possibility of war with Iraq"

'Because of imminent possibility of war with Iraq' my foot...more like 'because of LACK OF CREDIBILITY RESULTING IN BUSINESS OWNERS REFUSING TO BEND OVER FOR JE$$E'S SHAKEDOWNS.'

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Jesse's Rainbow/PUSH organization is becoming irrelevant.

Have you heard that word recently?

[CFW]

I think it may be because here is Georgia, most of us don't give a flying flip what Je$$e thinks!!!!!!!!!!!. He is irrelevant.

[zx2dragon]

Jackson is obviously pocketing the money. Who is funding them now? I don't think Russia has the money to throw at it anymore.

[Mister Baredog]

That spot was offered as an alternative to two other requested locations closer to the club's main gates

Those were already reserved for the KKK