By Antonio D. French
Filed Monday, January 28, 2008 at 9:43 AM
Citing this video from last week's tumultuous events at the Old Courthouse, the group opposing Mayor Francis Slay is asking jazz artist Wynton Marsalis to forgo his plans to perform in St. Louis next week in honor of the call for an economic boycott of the city resulting from Slay's rift with the black community. Labels: Francis_Slay, Mayor, Race, RecallTo: Mr. Wynton Marsalis
Marsalis is scheduled to perform February 1 and 9 at the Sheldon Concert Hall.
Dear Mr. Marsalis:
We are forwarding to you a video which captures the recent incident of the Mayor of St. Louis, Francis Slay, being literally shouted down at the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration at the Old Courthouse last week. This video demonstrates how the racial tension in this city is escalating to a fever pitch, receiving front-page coverage last week in both the white and black press and being widely broadcast on every TV and radio station.
We bring this to your attention because I have not heard back from Ms. Stewart, who I understand is your agent, since my January 7, 2008 e-mail to her, which was in follow-up to previous correspondence and e-mails concerning a Boycott Alert that we have issued because of this racial strife.
It is now critical that you communicate with us immediately - prior to your scheduled concert - so that we can make you aware of our position with respect to your appearing here in St. Louis.
We would ask that you show the black community here during this crisis the same kind of courtesy and respect being demonstrated by the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), which is threatening to cancel its 2011 convention that is expected to generate $30 million in business for the city. (This information was sent to Ms. Stewart as well).
We hope and trust that you will follow NSBE's example of hearing first hand the concerns of our community, and then let that weigh on your consciousness and conscience. This video amply illustrates how disruptive this situation potentially is because of the deeply felt racial injustice, and we think that you, like NSBE, can and should play an important role in curing this.
Thank you, and because of the urgency, we will expect to hear from you within the next 24 hours.
Eric E. Vickers
Chairman Boycott Committee
Citizens to Support Fire Chief George
11 Comments:
That event should definitely be boycotted by Marsalis and justice minded people to send a messsage to that damn Slay! No justice! No peace!
1/28/2008 11:09 AM
Perhaps Marsalis could boycott St. Louis when he is sued for breach of contract.
I honestly don't know what his contract says, but I doubt that there is an out clause for 'not liking the way the mayor treats the city's African American population.'
However, this would be a great test as to whether Mr. Marsalis is willing to sacrifice his financial well-being for the cause. If he isn't willing to forgo his paycheck, and reimburse the expenses of his expected concert, he must really be a sell out, looking out only for himself, not caring about his African American brethren.
If the show goes on, maybe Mr. Marsalis should be boycotted and/or shouted down.
1/28/2008 11:37 AM
Interesting! Eric Vickers never speaks out on Muslim atrocities to others, including and especially to blacks in Darfur (Christian and Muslim), but he sure beats the drum against an insignificant small midwest town mayor.
Don't you love just how just the vocals for justice are?!! As an officer of CAIR, he could really influence world justice, but remains mute instead.
Let Marsalis come, play, and speak up for the black Africans of Darfur.
1/28/2008 12:14 PM
What does Marsalis playing in St. Louis have to do with Slay?
1/28/2008 12:33 PM
Can vickers representive him if he does get sued for breach of contract? Or is vickers still unlicensed to practice law because of the fruadulant ways he stole money from his black clients?
Just curious.
1/28/2008 12:54 PM
That's FUNNY!! Do you really think Marsalis would want Vickers to represent him?
1/28/2008 2:28 PM
maybe Marsalis will come to town wearing one of those cool looking hats that unemployed painter is always wearing when he goes out on the town
1/28/2008 3:08 PM
W/hat does boycotting Marsalis have to do with Mayor Slay
1/28/2008 3:36 PM
P.S. Please be advised that the Boycott Committee has one additional demand: please send an 8 1/2 by 11 glossy photo autographed as follows: "To Eric, Best Always, Wynton Marsalis".
1/28/2008 4:02 PM
HALLELUYAH! DING DONG WE CAN ONLY HOPE THE WICKED HE-WITCH WILL SOON BE DEAD (IN POLITICAL TERMS).
1/31/2008 11:04 AM
Vickers, get a real job. Stop being a disease of society.
1/31/2008 10:42 PM
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