NAACP to 'patrol' South Carolina borders

The State ^ | 1/13/02 | RODDIE BURRIS

[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.

[sneakypete]

I have made my decision. I will DEFINITELY be VACATIONING in SOUTH CAROLINA this year.

Me too,and I will make it VERY plain that the NAACP boycott is the reason I'm there. I'll also make it a point to stop at the first rest stop across the border and make this plain to any of the NAACP cretins who approach me.

[GussiedUp]

You didn't think I would head to South Carolina without swinging through NC to pick you up did you?

I'll be here waiting!!! :)

[JD86]

I wonder if these sanctions mean leftists like Bubba bin Bombing,John Edwards,Jesse Jackson,and other hyprocites will start refusing free vacations at Hilton Head? If any of you live around there and spot any of these phonies playing golf,make damn sure you get some photos and post them! Not only that,but send them to the NAACP.

An idea worth posting twice.

[GussiedUp]

The 3rd Annual Freeper Rally is in the planning stages.

Seabrook Island, SC

Yeah!!!

[dixie sass]

Aiken, right in the heart of horse country. It is one of the most beautiful small towns in the south. Maybe some of you have heard of it's shopping mall - Augusta, GA. The ST. Andrew's of American Golfing. Of course all of the international golfing tourneys are held in Charleston and surrounds!

[JD86]

I'll also make it a point to stop at the first rest stop across the border and make this plain to any of the NAACP cretins who approach me.

Somehow I think that SF look in your eye will keep them at a distance...:) But I am taking brochures to hand out and GussiedUP is bringing a sign..:)

[dixie sass]

Eeeeehaaaa, and don't forget the moonpies and RC cola's for dessert. lol, IJ.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Dang! You just keep getting better and better! Are you studying for a Ph. D. in HTML?

[JD86]

It sounds like we are going to have a party in the Southland...:)

[cyberaxe]

.....well being the the grandson of real honest-to-goodness mountain folk.....

.....bout half of what you see in the movies is dead on.....

.....jest don't move down here from up north.....

.....and try to tell them how yall did things back home.....

.....you might see the other half.....;^)

.....TR folks are fine.....

.....but they just seem a little rural to us big city folk.....

[dixie sass]

Why Mamzelle, we have Spoleto Festival coming up in Charleston. The Grits Festival in St. George. The Azalea Festival in Summerville. The Watermelon Festival in Walterboro. The Riverwalk in McClellanville or Georgetown. Festivals in Beaufort. The two biker things in Myrtle Beach. Why we have all kinds of things happening - Battlefields, reenactments. Next month we have the Ronald McDonald Oyster cook out. We have the Hunley. We have the oldest museum in the country. Art galleries, the ocean, the aquarium - You name it - we might have it. Y'ALL COME, YA HEAH!!!!! We even have the only tea plantation in the whole country. We don't have to import our tea, no mo'!

[takenoprisoner]

Eeeeehaaaa, and don't forget the moonpies and RC cola's for dessert.

Never thought I would see anything like this on FR. Reserve a Moonpie and RC for me.

[He Rides A White Horse]

I like South Carolina and I like their flag. I don't like organized hate mongering. I'll stay the night in Beautiful SC!

This is a boycott like Kristalnacht was a boycott.

Joe Tourist pulls is stopped by an armbanded Jesse Jackson.........

"Vere are you going?" (takes a pull on his cigarette)

"Well, me and the family thought we would head down for some sun 'n fun down there at Myrtle Beach."

(Jesse's eyes narrow) "Myrtle beach is verboten. Perhaps you may vant to turn around.......................ve............encourage it...........

[arete]

The boycotts didn't work. Some say they had the opposite effect. So now the NAACP will start using physical intimidation to keep people away.

I live in South Carolina and I can tell you for a fact that since the flag boycotts began, business has never been better. Let them "patrol" all they want. It can only help our economy.

Richard W.

[AmishDude]

Get a clue.

Well, ya got me. Can't argue with that one.

Anybody know of a smiley with the eyes rolling back in the head?

[dixie sass]

I'm not sure that we want to do any freeping were violence might happen and with this group you know it will. They thrive on it and it will give Jackson and the rest food for the press. That isn't the kind of publicity that we want or need for FR, is it?

[cyberaxe]

I'm not sure that we want to do any freeping were violence might happen and with this group you know it will.

.....ever notice that this bunch wants to intimidate others coming here.....

.....they got the hairs to try and mess with the locals.....

[JD86]

We don't need to do any official freeping. But there is nothing wrong with some like-minded folks enjoying a vacation in South Carolina. Personally, I imagine this will be all bluster and no real results for the naacp pc-cops... it is really a stupid idea actually, trying to tell adults they can't travel. And Gracey and GussiedUp and I have been wanting to get together...so South Carolina just seems like a good idea...:) And I want to taste your tea!

[agrandis]

South Carolina is a great vacation spot. All Freepers should consider it for their next vacation.