Should soliciting "donations" through threats be legal?

[Mark Latimour]

Originally Posted by Article

REV. AL SOAKS UP BOYCOTT BUCKS
BIZ GIANTS PAY OR FACE RACE RALLIES

June 15, 2008 -- Anheuser-Busch gave him six figures, Colgate-Palmolive shelled out $50,000 and Macy's and Pfizer have contributed thousands to the Rev. Al Sharpton's charity.

Almost 50 companies - including PepsiCo, General Motors, Wal-Mart, FedEx, Continental Airlines, Johnson & Johnson and Chase - and some labor unions sponsored Sharpton's National Action Network annual conference in April.

Terrified of negative publicity, fearful of a consumer boycott or eager to make nice with the civil-rights activist, CEOs write checks, critics say, to NAN and Sharpton - who brandishes the buying power of African-American consumers. In some cases, they hire him as a consultant.

The cash flows even as the US Attorney's Office in Brooklyn has been conducting a grand-jury investigation of NAN's finances.
A General Motors spokesman told The Post that NAN had repeatedly - and unsuccessfully - asked for contributions for six years, beginning in August 2000.

Then, in December 2006, Sharpton threatened to call a boycott of the carmaker over the closing of an African-American-owned GM dealership in The Bronx, and he picketed outside GM headquarters on Fifth Avenue.

Last year, General Motors gave NAN a $5,000 donation. It gave $5,000 more this year, a spokesman said, calling NAN a "worthy" organization.

In November 2003, Sharpton picketed DaimlerChrysler's Chicago car show and threatened a boycott over alleged racial bias in car loans.
"This is institutional racism," he bellowed.

In May 2004, Chrysler began supporting NAN's conferences, which include panels on corporate responsibility and civil rights and a black-tie awards dinner to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Last year, Sharpton gave Chrysler an award for corporate excellence.

In 2003, Sharpton targeted American Honda for not hiring enough African-Americans in management.

"We support those that support us," wrote Sharpton and the Rev. Horace Sheffield III, president of NAN's Michigan chapter, in a letter to American Honda. "We cannot be silent while African-Americans spend hard-earned dollars with a company that does not hire, promote or do business with us in a statistically significant manner."

Two months after American Honda execs met with Sharpton, the carmaker began to sponsor NAN's events - and continues to pay "a modest amount" each year, a spokesman said.

Source: http://www.nypost.com/seven/06152008...cks_115554.htm

This seems very close to extortion to me. Maybe I am missing something? However, I guess the course is somewhat dubious from what I understand.

[Bad Brains]

It's all a racket. I only give Sharpton credit, but only as a scam artist. On the surface it's suppose to be justified. Or something like that.

[Armueller2001]

Sharpton = douche

[WickedPissah]

Who's worse? Sharpton or Jesse Jackson?

[syciprider]

Sharpton doesn't speak for the black folks. He has to keep them down because it keeps him employed.

[GregC]

On its face, this appears to be nothing more than extortion. But this story is from the New York Post, which is an utter rag. I'll be interested to see if a more reputable paper picks this up and brings more facts and analysis to the table.

[fenderhutz]

It's an obvious truth people hate to talk about really.

[Benjamin Strange]

Originally Posted by GregC

On its face, this appears to be nothing more than extortion. But this story is from the New York Post, which is an utter rag. I'll be interested to see if a more reputable paper picks this up and brings more facts and analysis to the table.

The NYP revealed their bias in choosing to use the word "bellowed".

I personally believe that Al is actually perpetuating racism in this country by wagging his finger all the time. I rarely see actual oppression in this country - racism now exists mostly as accusations of oppression.

[Ericman197]

This is a scam that's probably been going on since the dawn of civilization. The groups change, but the overall pattern is the same. My great uncle had to deal with this back when he was in charge of a pocketbook factory. You either pay them off, or risk all sorts of trouble... boycotts, theft, vandalism, rumors, unionization, any number of problems could be caused if you don't play along. I don't think Al Sharpton really has that big an influence over people... for the most part, people will buy the best product for the best price. But if he can influence just 1% of the market, it's probably cheaper to give him whatever he wants.

[fenderhutz]

Originally Posted by Ericman197

I don't think Al Sharpton really has that big an influence over people...

While I agree with your statement, the media will make him worthwhile to get a story.

It always seems to happen.

[Armueller2001]

Originally Posted by WickedPissah

Who's worse? Sharpton or Jesse Jackson?

Bof ub'm are terrible

[cheezewiz]

I think Al learned from Jessie. Jessie Jackson has been running the same extortion scam for YEARS. Those two have done more to harm minority civil rights than almost anyone else.

[burk48237]

Originally Posted by cheezewiz

I think Al learned from Jessie. Jessie Jackson has been running the same extortion scam for YEARS. Those two have done more to harm minority civil rights than almost anyone else.

Jesse actually started by running extortion for street gangs in Chicago and then graduated to doing it in a suit.

[Pilgrim]

It's kind of a low-life tactic,but Sharpton has no class at all (and I'm not saying that politically, but as a person).

But let's admit it - EVERYONE who represents an interest group - whether it's a single issue interest or a broad issue group - levers others by using the that group's potential for action as a persuasion.

If these companies want to play Sharpton's game, that's up to them.

[JMX]

Just watch the Hitchens/Sharpton debate on Fora.tv and you'll see what a huckster Sharpton is.

http://fora.tv/2007/05/07/Al_Sharpto...opher_Hitchens

[FL Knifemaker]

I hope Dr. Cheeses, corrupt, highway robbing cops steal all their money!!