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.
It reminds me of the annual black "Million Man March" in NYC. Last year about 200 blacks showed up. I told my wife, "It will take 5,000 years before they hit the one million mark.
We're snowbirds who are going to retire in NC next year (we'll be "damn yankees"). I don't have any problem with a Confederate Flag. If Americans love their country, what's the problem? I will have the Stars and Stripes on my house in NC though, and I don't think my Southern neighbors are going to break my windows.
A few years ago I was driving south (PA to LA) and when I crossed into West Virginia and stopped at the rest stop a church group was there giving free coffee to travelors. They made an excellant welcoming committee for the state by leaving a very favorable impression.
I believe the South Carolina chapter will be holding their annual conference at Seabrook Island again this year (commonsense or dixie sass will have to provide that info). If so, as many freepers as possible should start making plans to attend. If you live anywhere along South Carolina borders, drive into SC; fill your gas tank, buy your groceries and perhaps some large-ticket items, eat at the restaurants, etc. Spend LOTS of money. I visit the Spartanburg/Greenviile area CONSTANTLY. ALWAYS fill my tank before leaving town, and ALWAYS dine at a local restaurant. Isle of Palms has a GORGEOUS beach, and a number of FINE motels...far more peaceful than Florida beaches which are plagued by 'flavor of the month' biker/college student/homosexual celebrations. Most important of all...let businesses know WHY you are shopping/vacationing/dining in South Carolina...let them know you went OUT OF YOUR WAY to do business in South Carolina as a counter-protest to the silly NAACP boycott. This is a golden opportunity for mid-Atlantic 'keyboard warriors' to stick it to extremist liberals while having fun at the same time. "Nothing could be finer than South Carolina". I heartily agree!
Perhaps when those blacks who have attained begin to feel the pinch and the prospect of losing their gains, they will appreciate their gains, realize they have made them and recognize Jessie Jackson for the jackass he always has been.
That's because they can't do math. Also, I've noticed these 12% of the population are those that bitch and moan 90% of the time about this country.
Every generation they (negroe, darky, black, brown, rainbow), keep renaming themselves. Their current label is "African-American." If they don't like it here, they can go back to their "Roots" about 4,000 miles East of our shores.
Confederate Battle Flag: Many of Us Fly our Flag and Remember
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Our Republic...If we can keep it... | Home Page | US Congress2000 | Desert Storm Book Preview | |
Some boycott...we crossed from GA and didn't even notice!
Situations that might well end with a bang in less restrained, more passionate cultures often end with a whimper in ours.
I believe that this fundamental moderation is both our great strength and our great weakness, depending on the situation.
Might not be a bad idea, but the 'Welcome Centers' travelers encounter when entering South Carolina are ALREADY state-of-the-art. I have personally visited the one on I-26 entering from the northwest, and the one on I-95 entering from the south...the staffs at both were exemplary...very friendly, eager to help, and well-informed about touring South Carolina.
.....easy now.....
.....I'm in G-ville.....
.....(Moonville to be exact).....
.....so it can't be boring!.....
.....Jocassee Gorges.....
.....beautiful in the spring.....
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.