| Carolina NAACP heads to Augusta South Carolina representatives from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said they look forward to a time when their state conference will be held in their home state. Until then, the state NAACP will continue economic sanctions against South Carolina because of its continued display of the Confederate battle flag on Statehouse grounds, said Lonnie Randolph Jr., the president of the state's branch. Branch officials said Wednes-day that the Oct. 7-9 state conference will be held at Radisson Riverfront Hotel Augusta, where the press conference was held. The controversial flag contains a Confederate symbol, which is an historically "oppressive insult" to blacks and NAACP members, Dr. Randolph said, adding that the organization is diverse and has white and Hispanic members. Rep. William Clyburn, D-Aiken, said the 63rd annual conference will attract hundreds of conventioneers and generate significant tourism for Augusta. He said it would take key government officials, including South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, to get the General Assembly to remove the flag, which would result in the NAACP lifting its sanctions and allowing conventions and other events to return to the state. "It's just that simple," Mr. Clyburn said. Dr. Charles Smith, the president of Augusta's NAACP branch, said his group and local civic officials welcome the convention. "Leaders throughout the county are excited," said Dr. Smith, an honorary co-chairman of the conference. Dr. Randolph said the branch has invited Vice President Dick Cheney and Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry and his running mate, John Edwards, to the conference. He said President Bush was not invited because he failed to attend the national convention in Philadelphia in July. "He feels we're too critical of him," Dr. Randolph said.
Reach Timothy Cox at (706) 823-3217 or tim.cox@augustachronicle.com.
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