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.

[cyberaxe]

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

.....that should be.....

.....they aint got the hairs to mess with the locals.....

[Valin]

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.

Sounds like a good reason to take a winter vacation in South Carolina.

[cyberaxe]

.....that would be the good folks in NC.....

[He Rides A White Horse]

"...........but Herr Jackson, I really don't care about the politics. It's been a long year, and the people here have always been nice.............."

Achtung!!!!!!! (smashes tail light with truncheon).........Enough of this!!! (gestures to goons with cigarette) seize this car and the occupants!!!

(laughing)

[cincinnati_Steve]

Whoa, this is great! Read Maurice' views on politics (and BBQ) here. Thanks for the info, shuckmaster. I'll see what I can do for him. Although I still like my Texas BBQ better...

[dixie sass]

Howlin, Mamzelle, we need to make some of the hot-heads on here understand that by making appearances, we are invoking an invitation to violence. I don't want to see that, particularly with this crowd. There are other way to Freep, besides standing around with placards and etc. Sometimes and it is important in this case the best freeping is ignoring the childish activities and just doing what they say not to do.

[SC Swamp Fox]

No, we don't directly freep the NAACP people, we welcome people to SC at the Welcome Centers or the first exit in SC. We hand out literature explaining why the NAACP boycott is a fraud. We send press releases to the media so that if they do a story on the NAACP people at the borders, they may come talk to us for an opposing view.

We don't even have to say we support "the flag", we are supporting SC businesses and the people employed by them. We are defending honest South Carolinians from a misguided attack from outside aggitators. There was a compromise, the Confederate flag is off of the Statehouse. The NAACP should shut-up and sit-down.

[IronJack]

Eeeeehaaaa, and don't forget the moonpies

I tried to eat a moonpie once. Nearly threw up. And this is a guy who can eat road kill without picking the gravel out.

[sig226]

We pledge allegiance of the red, black and green

Our flag, the symbol of our eternal struggle,

and to the land we must obtain.

One nation of Black people,

with one God for us all,

Totally united in the struggle for Black Love,

Black Freedom, and Black determination.

This is sick. "I pledge allegiance to a knitted Rastafarian hat." I guess they're pledging allegiance to Bob Marley and a bag of spliffs, too. The land we must obtain? One nation of black people? What do they intend to do with everyone else?

[cyberaxe]

I tried to eat a moonpie once. Nearly threw up. And this is a guy who can eat road kill without picking the gravel out.

.....bite cho tounge.....

.....a moon pie is it's own food group.....

.....wez raized on-em.....

[dixie sass]

From a Charlestonian in Summerville, thank you for the compliment Rob. Charleston is indeed the crown jewel in South Carolina.

[dixie sass]

Let me know when you are coming. I live right outside of Charleston in Summerville.

[SeeRushToldU_So]

Let me explain myself in a way you detest. You are showing yourself to have a grudge against CGEB. Lighten up, you know who will give an in depth discussion on a subject and who will not.

[sneakypete]

...:) But I am taking brochures to hand out and GussiedUP is bringing a sign..:)

Do NOT make the mistake of thinking that they won't physically attack you,just because you are women! Chances are they can get a leftist/black judge who will see your brochures and ESPECIALLY a sign as antagonizing on your part,and he will drop any charges against them. There are damn few judges who will take on the NAACP,and they know it.

[dixie sass]

I didn't know what bigotry or racism was until my Daddy was transferred to Reading PA. For the two years we lived there I never saw a single black face. I had grown up seeing black people all of my life - strange two years.

[TexanaRED]

If I had the money and could take the time off, I would be South Carolina bound first thing in the morning!

I never have been racist, but these thugs are sure moving me that way.

I saw a couple of my black friends from high school at our 35th reunion in October. We were talking about junk like this and they are just as disgusted with Jesse, Al and the rest of them as we are. Said those always screaming racism are an embarrassment to decent black people everywhere.

If all black people were as intelligent and cool as these two guys, there would be no problem with racism.

[SC Swamp Fox]

Coming soon to an NAACP boycotted state near you,
The 3rd Annual Freeper Rally!

Seabrook Island, SC

This is still in the early planning stages. The SC Chapter will announce dates and details in a month or two.

[sneakypete]

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

No,they don't. It only SEEMS like they thrive on it. This is because they usually already have a arrangement with the feds for police protection to bail them out if they get into trouble. When they don't have this and the numbers are anywhere close to being equal,they fade off into the distance. Look at what happened in Flordia during the recounts,when JJ bused in crackheads and winos from NY. There were lots of angry whites out there,and they got back on the buses and went home.

[roachie]

Let them patrol. Remember Deliverance? Communist pinkos are TOAST no matter how much melatonin is in their skin.

The South Will Rise Again

[dixie sass]

Yes we are planning another rally, but it is in the planning stages at the moment. As soon as more information is available, we will be posting it.

Keyboard warriors, hmmmmmm, that gives me an idea for freeping this "boycott".

I am going to pull together some addresses, postal and email for some of the larger South Carolina papers. But meanwhile, write the newspapers in your area along with the larger national dailies pointing out the fact that NAACP is not interested in the day to day life of it's members, but is more interested in LIVING IN THE PAST AND NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE THINGS THAT MATTER!!!! That is the way to freep this thing.