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]

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

This would be something neither JJ or any of the other black fascists would want to be doing to my new truck. They might get away with this kind of crap in big cities in the north and in California,but if you try this down south you will end up wearing somebody.

[sneakypete]

? What do they intend to do with everyone else?

Just look to Africa for the answer to that.

[SC Swamp Fox]

"...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!!!!"

Exactly. This truely is symbolism over substance.

If the NAACP was actually interested in the Advancement of anybody, they would be in the inner cities demanding that the "gubmint" schools actually teach skills that might lead to a job. They would be working against gangs and drugs and out-of-wedlock pregnacy and all of the other social ills that really keep people enslaved. Instead, they are wasting their energy protesting a Confederate flag flying over a war memorial. Sad, very sad.

[uglybiker]

Aiken, right in the heart of horse country.

And home of Strom Thurmond, I might add.

[aomagrat]

I'm retiring in about six months and coming home for good. Maybe I'll be able to make the meeting this year.

[dixie sass]

Van, your post brought tears to my eyes. Especially when I saw the flag with the words Secessionville on it. You see I lived in Secessionville as a child. There were very few people living out there at that time most of them were black and had been there for several generations.

We 'chilrun', both black and white, had the run of that part of James Island. We could pick up indian arrowheads, minnie balls and other fragments of battles that were fought there.

My first date at 12 was with Frank Skinner (his mother and big brother drove us) to the Gray Y dance in Charleston. They lived at the point in one of the houses that had been in his family for generations. From the grapevine, I understand Frank was very instrumental in having Sessionville and the battle area put on the National Historic listings.

And then reading about your family and it's background of serving this nation was like seeing mine, except that I didn't serve in Viet Nam or Desert Storm. But the men in our family have always stepped up to the bat when it came to service, both the Jacksons and the Fowlers and others we are related to by marriages etc.

Geeze Van, I was just gonna say Thank you for the article and got a little carried away.

[IronJack]

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

Ah. Got kicked out of the others, did it? :)

[Don@VB]

Cyb, I know!! I miss them. You know what else I miss.

Good old....

Mr. Cherry Bomb!!

[sig226]

It was definitely a rhetorical question. :)

[Blood of Tyrants]

The black ghestapo.

[kayak]

The very best way to eat a moon pie (and this is pretty new-fangled, obviously) is to put it on a small plate and microwave it for 5 seconds. YUM!

[SC Swamp Fox]

Don't forget to register to vote as soon as you step into the state. (Assuming you aren't voting military absentee now.)

[uglybiker]

An' don' fuhgit, ya gots ta wash it all down wit an ice-cold RC Cola!

Dat's good eatin'!

[aomagrat]

I've been voting absentee for the last 20 years. Now I've got to find out where the polls are.

[Taxman]

I will now double my trips to South Carolina, and instead of waiting until I get to GA to gas up, I'll buy gas there, too. Gas is only a few cents more expensive in SC than it is in GA. And I will encourage others to do likewise.

Sorry NAACP, your race card will not play in my life! If you are agin it, I am for it! And vice versa!

The NAACP lost its way many, many years ago. The NAACP is a racist, bigoted organization. Every American should do everything in his or her power, irrespective of race, to marginalize it, reduce its funding and drive it out of existence! There is no place and no need in a 21st Century America for orgainzations such as the NAACP!

“I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”
[Thomas Jefferson, letter to Benjamin Rush, 1800.]

[dixie sass]

Vinnie, Edisto and the Ace Basin, outside of Charleston are absolutely beautiful. Moss draped live oaks. A beautiful beach, lush foliage, wonderful people. My family has been going to Edisto for years.

[Sandy]

So this is a secondary boycott.
Are you sure that this illegal?

I can't imagine that this is illegal. Sounds to me like S. Carolina's attorney general is playing fast and loose with the law (and the 1st Amendment). The laws against secondary boycotts are intended to prevent unfair labor practices--things such as one company organizing a boycott in order to put a competing company out of business. The NAACP's boycott doesn't fit the bill.

Here's a Supreme Court case that looks sort of pertinent (imo):

NAACP v. CLAIBORNE HARDWARE CO., 458 U.S. 886 (1982)

It is not disputed that a major purpose of the boycott in this case was to influence governmental action... [T]he petitioners certainly foresaw - and directly intended - that the merchants would sustain economic injury as a result of their campaign... [H]owever, the purpose of petitioners' campaign was not to destroy legitimate competition. Petitioners sought to vindicate rights of equality and of freedom that lie at the heart of the Fourteenth Amendment itself. The right of the States to regulate economic activity could not justify a complete prohibition against a nonviolent, politically motivated boycott designed to force governmental and economic change and to effectuate rights guaranteed by the Constitution itself.

[who knows what evil?]

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.

Amen! Just IGNORE these insignificant, left-wing extortionists. The sun is setting on their agenda. If confrontation results, the media will have an ALL-OUT field day. Don't give them what they want. Just counter boycott. These clowns are badly outnumbered by Americans of all cultural backgrounds. Come to South Carolina...send a little money...every dollar you spend drives another nail into the coffin of the left. For those of you who can't visit South Carolina, encourage friends and relatives who CAN to do so. Go on the internet and buy some South Carolina products. Put these thugs out of business with your hard-earned dollars. Fun, healthy, non-confrontational. Plan those vacations NOW.

[The_Media_never_lie]

Something good has already come from the boycott.

Venus and Serena Williams last year did not come to the Family Circle Cup Tournament on Daniel Island in Charleston, SC. Although I have nothing against the sisters, their manager/father has a bad attitude and sees racism behind every corner, while scoffing down millions from mostly white tennis fans. Good riddance!

There will be plenty of good and deserving black tennis players attending including Dr. J's daughter.

[SC Swamp Fox]

If you are moving back to the hometown listed in your profile page, my sister can give you a ride to the polls.

BTW: I see the Navy Jack flying on your profile page. (Seasnake on 13 red/white stripes;"Don't tread on me.")
I have that exact flag flying in front of my house. I got it for Christmas.