Dallas NAACP President Resigns

D A L L A S, Aug. 10, 2000 -- An NAACP leader indefinitely suspended for anti-Semiticcomments about Al Gore’s running mate has resigned to form a newcivil rights coalition and refuses to apologize for his remarks onSen. Joseph Lieberman, the first Jew named to a major nationalparty ticket.

But Lee Alcorn, who resigned Wednesday afternoon from the NAACPafter two decades of service, drew nationwide rebuke. NAACPnational President Kweisi Mfume had suspended Alcorn that morning,saying he found his comments on a Gospel talk show about Liebermanto be “anti-Semitic and anti-NAACP.”

Alcorn, the Dallas NAACP branch president, said Monday thatGore’s selection of Lieberman—an Orthodox Jew—as a running matewas “suspicious.”

Remarks Ripped

But Julian Bond, chairman of the national NAACP board ofdirectors, called Alcorn’s remarks “hateful, repulsive andignorant.”

Other civil rights leaders and religious groups also criticizedAlcorn’s attack on Lieberman and supported the senator’s selectionby the Democratic presidential candidate, revealed Monday.

“I support Lieberman being on that ticket strongly,” said theRev. Jesse Jackson, speaking at the White House shortly afterreceiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom. “When we live in ourfaith, we live under the law. He is a firewall of exemplarybehavior.”

Jackson, asked whether Alcorn’s remarks indicate a comingbacklash of anti-Semitism, said, “We’re going to have moreexpressions of darkness, but we’re also going to have moreexpressions of light. The forces of light will dispel those forcesof darkness. We will prevail.”

Controversial Comments

Alcorn, speaking on Fort Worth, Texas radio station KHVN’s talkShow, said Monday: “If we get a Jew person, then what I’mwondering is, I mean, what is this movement for, you know? Does ithave anything to do with the failed peace talks?”

“So I think we need to be very suspicious of any kind ofpartnerships between the Jews at that kind of level because we knowthat their interest primarily has to do with money and these kindof things,” Alcorn said.

A spokesman for the Gore-Lieberman campaign, Jano Cabrera, saidin a statement: “It’s clear that Mr. Alcorn’s views did notreflect those of the NAACP nor those of most African-Americancommunity leaders.”

A spokesman for Texas Gov. and Republican presidential candidateGeorge W. Bush also condemned Alcorn’s statement.

“When it comes to fighting anti-Semitism, Governor Bush andSecretary Cheney stand shoulder to shoulder with all Americans incondemning such foolish utterances,” Ari Fleischer, a presidentialcampaign spokesman, said.

Mfume said in his fax to Alcorn, “Your comments do not reflectthe views or values of the NAACP, our board, staff or membership.”

Suspended Three Times

But Alcorn, who had been suspended three times by the NationalAssociation for the Advancement of Colored People during his fiveyears as Dallas chapter president, said the organization has lostits focus on civil rights.

“The focus now is to raise money or to keep NAACP chapterpresidents like myself who criticize the organization, to keep themin their place by revoking or suspending their membership,” Alcorntold The Dallas Morning News, adding he was leaving theorganization because “I can no longer work under theserestraints.”

He said he had anticipated a break with the NAACP and so hadformed his own civil rights organization, the Coalition for theAdvancement of Civil Rights.

“I misspoke by making reference to Jews and Jewish people,”Alcorn said, but added that his radio show comments were taken outof context. “I should have made my comments specifically toLieberman.”

In a prepared statement, the American Jewish Congress applaudedthe NAACP action.

“It will take more than one bigot like Alcorn to shake thesense of fellowship of American Jews with the NAACP and blackAmerica,” Jewish Congress President Jack Rosen and ExecutiveDirector Phil Baum said. “Our common concerns are too urgent, ourhistory too long, our connection too sturdy to let anything likethis disturb our relationship.”

Residents in the Dallas suburb of Grand Prairie said Alcorn is aquiet neighbor who occasionally waves to others as he mows his lawnand plans block parties to bring unity to the middle-class,ethnically diverse area.

“As far as a neighbor goes, he’s been good,” Lewis D. Cashtold the Arlington Morning News. “I’ve never seen or heard him dolike you see on TV.

“I heard the comments,” said Cash, 54. “They soundedracist.”