SCLC won't boycott New Orleans over black student's death
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference will not pursue a threatened boycott against the city over the New Year's Eve death of a black college student from Georgia who died in an altercation with three Bourbon Street bouncers. The Rev. Charles Steele, president of the SCLC, said he is impressed with the way city officials are reacting to the situation stemming from the death of Levon Jones, 25. Jones was a flag football player at Georgia Southern who was in New Orleans with teammates for a tournament. "I had a better understanding that they know we have a problem, they know that I mean business, and I know they mean business," Steele said Friday at a news conference after meetings with Mayor Ray Nagin, Police chief Eddie Compass and clergy leaders. Besides Jones' death, Steele said he's concerned about the city economy's dependence on tourism and the high number of arrests. He discussed the possible creation of a conflict resolution center in New Orleans to address, among other things, economic concerns and provide sensitivity training. Compass said he is in full support of the program. "Conflict resolution is key to long-term success," he said. "Arrests are like Band-Aids. It's not a permanent solution." In January, Steele threatened to organize a boycott by black tourists if authorities didn't take seriously the idea that racism was part of the reason Jones, who is black, died in a fight with three white bouncers outside a Bourbon Street nightclub. The three Razzoo Bar and Patio bouncers face negligent homicide charges in the death. The Orleans Parish coroner said Jones suffocated as one bouncer held him in a headlock for 12 minutes, another pressed down on his back while the third bouncer held his legs. [more]