Posted on 01/13/2002 7:44:43 AM PST by shuckmaster
The NAACP will begin posting "border patrols" at various entryways into South Carolina within 30 days urging tourists not to stop in the Palmetto State, the civil rights group said Saturday.
"The border patrol is our way of standing at the Georgia and North Carolina borders (and asking) that you not stop, not stay in hotels, and don't buy gas" in South Carolina, said Nelson B. Rivers III, NAACP national field director. "Or better still, that you turn around."
The initiative is part of a plan the group unveiled Saturday to turn up the heat on state leaders in 2002 to completely remove the Confederate flag from the State House grounds.
Tourism officials reached Saturday expressed concern the action could hurt the state's economy, already laboring through a recession.
Rivers said the group will hold a third annual rally at the State House on Jan. 21, in part to protest the flag. The NAACP also will launch a national campaign that uses billboards, flyers, bumper stickers and television to discourage tourism in the state.
South Carolina has been the target of economic sanctions against tourism - at $9 billion a year, the state's largest industry - since 1999. Then, the NAACP began increasing pressure on the Legislature to take the Confederate emblem off the State House.
In what they said was a compromise, lawmakers removed the flag from the atop the State House, and from the Senate and House chambers in July 2000. At the same time, however, they raised a Confederate flag on a pole on the State House's front lawn.
In 1999-2000, tourism officials said the sanctions cost Columbia, Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head $10 million in lost revenues. Since the compromise, the impact of the sanctions has waned, those officials have said.
'DISAPPOINTED IN THE DECISION'
However, tourism officials Saturday expressed concern about the NAACP's new plans.
"At Parks, Recreation and Tourism, we're disappointed in the decision to take these further actions," said Marion Edmonds, a spokesman for the state tourism department.
"We felt that the Legislature's decision to take the Confederate flag off the dome and out of the Senate and House chambers was a good-faith effort to resolve the issue."
Edmonds said he was unsure of the impact the new NAACP actions might have. "These are actions that have not been taken before in South Carolina, to my knowledge. We don't know what to expect."
Others expressed concern the actions could hurt the state's economy during a recession.
Tom Sponseller, president of the Hospitality Association of South Carolina, said, "Anything that can hamper tourism, especially in a time like this, could have a severe impact on the overall economy."
Ashby Ward, president of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, said: "Right now, I'm angry. It borders on the ridiculous. The legislators from all walks of life settled on this situation in Columbia, and I realize nobody's happy, but it is a compromise. This issue should just be past."
Ward added: "It seems ridiculous in this kind of economy, with the nation focused on this war on terrorism - to drag something from the past out like this is beyond my comprehension."
Spokespersons for Gov. Jim Hodges did not return calls Saturday. House Speaker David Wilkins, R-Greenville, also could not be reached.
S.C. Attorney General Charlie Condon said the civil rights group's plan breaks the law.
"It's an illegal secondary boycott and so on behalf of the state of South Carolina I'm going to be looking into the possibility of bringing a lawsuit against them for monetary damages," Condon said.
In explaining the border patrols, Rivers said NAACP personnel periodically would be stationed at various South Carolina entrances, "with protection," to let travelers know that sanctions are still in place.
Rivers said he will spread the message that economic sanctions are still in place against South Carolina as he delivers speeches across the country over the next 45 days about black history.
"The NAACP has made up its mind," Rivers said at a monthly meeting of the state NAACP in Columbia. "We will not stop until the Confederate flag has been put where it should be - out of sight, out of mind."
The NAACP also has been urging athletes and entertainers to avoid coming to South Carolina. The group said it will continue that effort with fresh energy this year and in years to come.
State NAACP head James Gallman called on national religious leaders, meeting planners, performers, artists, athletes and others to avoid South Carolina. He also asked S.C. residents to honor the boycott by taking their vacations outside the state.
Hopefully, someone will make them "use" the "protection".
Should make for a dandy of a lawsuit.
I think the NAACP acronym now means:
"National Association of A$$holes & Complete Phools" (I like the "Rap/HipHop Community" spelling - classy, huh?).
prambo
Can't reccommend Charlotte it was turning bad around 1990 when I left, don't expect it has gotten any better.
Rock Hill, Spartanburg, Greenville are good places to live in SC.
For NC check out Shelby, Asheville, Hickory and Statesville.
Met River's once. It was right after Tupac Chakur was killed. He wondered wny Bruce Willis hadn't been killed, because Willis killed loads of people in movies... Tupac only killed a few (in real life!)
I kid you not, the audience reaction was cheers!!!! Then they sang the Black National Anthum and recited the Black Pledge of Allegence.
Want to have some fun some time? Go to an NAACP meeting. They are open to all races. Keep your mouth closed and you will laugh and cry inside. Even better, take a liberal friend. They will be amazed!!!
I think I will cancel my next vacation in Harlem in favor of one in Charleston. :-)
Yes, many white people are getting fed up with all of the nonsense. Personally, I believe that a lot of resentment is building up among the "ignorant white folks."
My father LOVES Charlotte. To me, its a wannabe Atlanta.
I'm considering going to Alaska myself.
LOL.
I've only visited a couple of times for some video gambling. After passing the 50th sign or so mentioning "South of the Border", at some point I just got bored and decided to take a look. It's a strange kitschy place.
But I wouldn't suggest staying there, or even near there. I usually stay near Savannah, but one time it was getting really late and so I decided to stay at a well known chain hotel nearby. Within 5 minutes of stepping in my room I had found 2 roaches. When I lifted up the phone to make a call, a bunch of baby roaches scurried out. I obviously did not stay there.
I grew up in a mixed Democrat/RINO area just outside of NYC. I have never heard more open racism in my life and was surprised when I got out to the south and midwest how much more civil people are on racial and other issues.
PS: Most racist city in America: Boston.
Prolly why I left, I despise Atlanta.
As for the most racist city in the USA, try Buffalo, NY, the heart of leftist liberalism and racism. They go together well.
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