Pubdate: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 Source: Ledger-Enquirer (GA) Copyright: 2004 Ledger-Enquirer Contact: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/enquirer/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/237 Author: Kelli Esters Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/racial.htm (Racial Issues) JESSE JACKSON JUMPS IN ATLANTA - On Monday morning, the Rev. Jesse Jackson asked people across the country to pull their money out of financial institutions in Columbus until the man who shot Kenneth Walker is federally prosecuted and Georgia adopts anti-racial profiling legislation. "We call for economic disinvestment from Columbus, Ga., until such time as that community is ready to stand for the end to racial violence and assure all citizens equal protection under the law," Jackson told about 50 people after the monthly breakfast meeting of the Concerned Black Clergy of Metro Atlanta. He also announced a march in Columbus on Jan. 15 to protest "the killing of Kenneth Walker without consequences." Four men -- Rainbow/PUSH President William Howell; his field director, Manuel Whitfield; National Action Network President Antonio Carter; and Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance President Wayne Baker -- traveled from Columbus and stood with Jackson as he made his statement. News of the announcement surprised other black leaders from Columbus, including Rep. Calvin Smyre, D-Columbus, the most influential black legislator in the state. "I find myself in a peculiar situation," Smyre said. "I was aware of plans being made for a march, but no one has talked to me about a boycott as it relates to us locally." Surprised by news He said a conference call involving local civil rights leaders and Jackson's people was held on Dec. 14. Among those on the line were state Sen. Ed Harbison and state Rep. Carolyn Hugley, both of Columbus. Harbison, D-Columbus, president of the Legislative Black Caucus, said he was not aware that a call for a disinvestment was coming. "We want to be sure we're on the same page instead of just saying we're going to do something," Harbison said. The veteran legislator said there is a need to continue applying pressure on authorities since there are "real strong feelings that justice has been ignored" in the Walker case. Councilor Nathan Suber, an insurance agent, pointed out that federally prosecuting Glisson and adopting state legislation to combat racial profiling is out of the control of local government. "We are doing everything we know to do," Suber said. "But we're between a rock and a hard place. I think all of us want to see something done." Walker, 39, was fatally shot in December 2003 by then-Muscogee County sheriff deputy David Glisson during a traffic stop that was part of a drug investigation. Last month, a state grand jury decided not to criminally indict Glisson for the shooting. Muscogee County Sheriff Ralph Johnson fired Glisson for not following proper procedure on the night he killed Walker. Columbus' black elected officials and civil rights leaders have written letters to U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft asking for his involvement in the case. Earlier this year in the Georgia Assembly, an anti-racial profiling bill, which was supported by the local delegation, died in the Senate. What they want The disinvestment calls for people to close insurance and bank accounts at financial institutions, withdraw support from public and private events and sell stock in publicly held companies based in Columbus. Urban League President Reginald Pugh also did not know the disinvestment would be called for, but he has heard the idea before. He said if there was to be a boycott of any services it should be in Albany, Ga., where Dougherty County District Attorney Kenneth Hodges works. There is a lawsuit pending against Hodges, the special prosecutor, for allowing Glisson to make an unsworn statement before the grand jury. "What I'm hoping and praying for is that we get this situation resolved and Kenneth Hodges comes to his senses," Pugh said. "The best thing he could do is convene a new grand jury." Steve Melton, president Columbus Bank & Trust Company, said he hoped people in Columbus would make up their own minds. "A boycott would affect too many people, including the black people we employ at CB&T and the black customers we support," he said. "You can't go into a community and separate black businesses from white businesses. We are too dependent on one another." Greater Columbus Chamber Commerce President Mike Gaymon said it was not necessary for someone to come from another state to try to find a solution. "Nothing that is done now is going to bring Kenneth Walker back to life," he said. "As a community we need to work through this trying time to see that justice is done." Staff writer Richard Hyatt contributed to this story. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek