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.
Are we allowed to shoot at them???
Looks like it's time for some paintball practice.
Usually go to Alabama for em', but S.C. is such a beautifull state.
And the people are some of the nicest you would ever meet.
As an ex-squid gunner, I coudn't agree with you more.
Exactly. Intimidation is JJ's chief tool. Every see a photo of him with his hand on somebody's shoulder,while he is leaning in talking to them and smiling? Notice his eyes,which are filled with hatred and pure evil. JJ gets away with this because most people seem to be afraid of blacks for some reason,and because nobody likes to be called names in public. The only way to stop this is to quit caring. You can take away about about 90% of their power by just laughing at them when they call you a "racist". JJ calling somebody else a racist is like Howard Stern calling somebody else a loudmouth. The only possible down side to this might mean you may have to fight if you are outnumbered.
I think we should organize a "flags across S.C." like we did here in FL recently. Flags of the Confederacy (including the CBF) lined the highways with welcome signs.
For anyone goin' thru S.C., visit Maurice's Piggy Park, get some BBQ, and pick up your copy of "The Truth About the Confederate Battle Flag" for $.75.
I'm thinkin' bout it, too. 4 hour trip from here. I'll be sure to raise my 4x6 Confederate Battle Flag when I see them. Oh yeah, when they come over to talk to me, I'll hit my horn that plays Dixie!
I take her with me whenever I have to travel into Atlanta just to keep the homeless window streakers off my car. Believe me, it works.
Long live the South!
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."
I like that 'with protection', already painting themselves as the 'victims' here.
They've made up their minds, huh? Economic sanctions against SC, just who do these little tinpot dictators think they are?
Like the same sentiment issued by so many others here, I know where my next vacation will be.
Katie said she's in along with her friend Buddy, the dixie dingo, as long as there's some snacks involved.
I'll concoct some "special" water ballons, with some Tinks "69" doe in heat urine, for some added "fragrance".
I will be in Myrtle Beach around Memorial day and would love it if the black bikers honored their masters marching orders.
However (from a purely scientific point of view) it will be interesting to see how the rank-and-file view and follow the NAALCP party line when it contradicts their partying intentions...
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