Black leader of smoking-ban drive gets lynch threat

A black man who leads a campaign to ban smoking in workplaces and public buildings in Cleveland has received numerous death threats, including phone calls from a man who threatened to lynch him. Elijah L. Wheeler Jr., told police last week he received threats on his voice mail at the nonprofit Center for Community Solutions, where he coordinates the Clean Indoor Air Campaign. Wheeler reported Monday more threatening calls after Mayor Jane Campbell endorsed a proposal to ban indoor smoking in most public places. One caller threatened to "do me and the mayor in," he said. [more ]