NAACP Protests over Confederate flag continue

Augusta Chronicle ^ | 3/2/02 | Page Ivey

[shuckmaster]

COLUMBIA - The NAACP plans to begin "border patrols" today to discourage visitors from spending money in South Carolina, part of an ongoing protest over the Confederate flag flying on Statehouse grounds.

The civil rights organization plans to picket the eight welcome centers along the state's borders with North Carolina and Georgia. Volunteers also will hand out leaflets urging travelers to keep their money in their pockets.

"We're prepared at all of the centers. We won't be surprised if they're at North Augusta," Marion Edmonds, spokesman for the South Carolina Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department, said Friday.

The department's employees staff the state's nine welcome centers, which are Department of Transportation property.

"I don't think there will be any activity that will block people from using the centers like they normally do," Mr. Edmonds said. "And our employees are not going to get involved with any discussion of the issue. Our role is not to be a commentator."

He said, to his knowledge, the protests on the state welcome centers' grounds are a first.

Attorney General Charlie Condon has said he will sue the NAACP if the patrols go forward and law enforcement officials will be out in full force when the three-hour protests begin.

"The governor is disappointed in this effort," said Cortney Owings, spokeswoman for Democratic Gov. Jim Hodges. "If it is successful, it could end up hurting African-American businesses in South Carolina."

The national NAACP boycott began in January 2000 when the Confederate flag still flew atop the Statehouse dome.

In July of that year, a compromise among lawmakers removed that flag and others that flew in the House and Senate chambers, putting a similar banner up at the Confederate Soldier Monument on Statehouse grounds.

While the compromise satisfied many groups, the NAACP continued its boycott, saying the flag still flew in a position of sovereignty.

Mr. Edmonds said the boycott had a definite impact on the tourism industry when it began, but that has changed.

Dwight James, the executive director of the South Carolina NAACP, has said the organization was not involved in that compromise. He said the compromise didn't satisfy the group's requirements.

[jragan2001]

This looney idea sounds like something from the Phil Hendrie show, where someone like Jay Santos from the Citizens Auxillary Police (one of Hendrie's "guests") would instruct CAP members to man posts along the SC border encouraging people not to spend money there.

[TwoBit]

My kids have participated in academic quiz contests with other schools, some having 98% black students. I watched (while feeling multiple emotions of amazement, pity, and embarrassment) as junior high age kids at these schools could not answer questions like, How many ounces in a pound? Which state is nearest to Cuba? What president came after Washington? ---- you get the picture. These kids are chosen as the smartest in their schools. This is what the NAACP should be working on, not the flag nonsense.

The expression of intelligence in black schools is seen by students as "acting white".

[aomagrat]

Attorney General Charlie Condon has said he will sue the NAACP if the patrols go forward and law enforcement officials will be out in full force when the three-hour protests begin.

And Condon needs to bill the NAACP for all the police overtime incured during this protest.

[doosee]

The expression of intelligence in black schools is seen by students as "acting white".

That is a real factor. I would like to see the networks and CSPAN, etc. come in with their cameras and cover things like these quiz bowls. Then we could see the breakaway to Sharpton or Jackson to get an explanation for this lack of learning. By the way, these schools are virtually totally administered and controlled by black educators and black school boards. The public school system and the parents of these kids have failed them, but we know who they like to blame the failures on.

[TwoBit]

Dwight James, the executive director of the South Carolina NAACP, has said the organization was not involved in that compromise. He said the compromise didn't satisfy the group's requirements.

Dwight James thinks that the NAACP should be considered as part of the SC State Legislature? The man's slipping..... "The Compromise" was necessary in order for SC legislators to get on with their jobs.

What'd happen to motorcyclists in SC if they protested helmet laws at Welcome Areas? Jail or bail. Court. Fines or probation. That should happen to the NAACP protestors but They ought to be prosecuted under the RICO statutes for conspiracy to restrict free trade. You go Git 'em, Condon!

[Constitutional Patriot]

Can't these people, the eternally oppressed, find something more productive to do with their time? It's like they are always looking for a reason to be angry. Ignorance is their biggest enemy, and liberals are the ones bending over backwards to make sure they stay ignorant. It amazes me that these people cannot see this.

[shuckmaster]

I would like to know why this extremely important breaking story was removed from "front page".
Can you please stop censoring stories that are crucial to Southern conservatives who are engaged in a struggle against leftist radicals who are trying to eliminate our very culture & put this thread back in 'front page' where it belongs?
Thank you!

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

I sure would like to see some arrest videos of this!

[Red Jones]

I thought that the NAACP was an organization made for the advancement of colored people and I thought that was a noble thing. But I've learned that the naacp is just a bunch of narrow minded bigots who have a little list of people in america who are unacceptable to them and they run around trying to throw mud at people on that little list of theirs'. all they're doing is causing a situation of conflict where whites won't want to hire and promote blacks, that is the only result at all of their actions as of late. This 'advancement of colored people' is just a fraud.

[billbears]

Was trying to get some folks up last night on another thread. As messy as it is today, might try to do something next weekend. I think you're right, they did this on such short notice so as to not get counterprotested. Have worked up a little handout of some history, names, and pictures of Black Confederates that fought in the war. Thought about handing those out to them to see if they would be willing to face the truth about the flag of freedom

[stand watie]

the naaLcp is amerika's best quality RACIST group. i predict that the so-called boycott/border patrols will be as big a flop as their other STUPIDITIES!

for a free SC & dixie,sw

[Free the USA]

Bump List

[4CJ]

BTTT. Have any suggestions for places to visit in Savannah GA/nearby SC area? Day/weekend trips in particular.

[one2many]

YOU AND WALT GONNA BE OUT THERE IN BLACKFACE HELPING OUT YOUR BUDS?

[one2many]

Your idol was a big fan of blackface. Are you and Leonard gonna be out there helping your commie buddies?

[one2many]

Have any suggestions for places to visit in Savannah GA/nearby SC area? Day/weekend trips in particular.

IMO Fripp Island is a jewel. You might see a painted bunting; I have every time there.

[Non-Sequitur]

Nah, I think this whole jihad against the confederat flag is ridiculous. I don't live down south so that flag has absolutely no meaning to me. Why should I care if you fly it or where you fly it at? You can pass a law requiring people to stick a rebel flag in their butt and fart Dixie before every football game and it wouldn't bother me at all.

[4CJ]

Fripp Island - thank you. I'll make a note of it!

[SC DOC]

I don't see how anybody could take the virtual tours in this website and not want to visit our beautiful state.

[Non-Sequitur]

Oh South Carolina is nice enough, don't get me wrong. I spent almost all my active duty in the Navy at Charleston and I've got a lot of fond memories of the place. I've got some not-so-fond memories, too, but anyone who ever conned a ship entering or leaving Charleston has those. Still, it isn't home and never would be so I guess this is one Yankee you don't have to worry about living next to.