THE COALITION FOR A JUST CINCINNATI

P.O. Box 14954, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0954
WWW.CINCYBOYCOTT.ORG
CINCYBOYCOTT@YAHOO.COM
Rev. James W. Jones, Chair
Rev. Stephen Scott, Vice-Chair

PRESS CONTACTS FOR THIS RELEASE:

Rev. Stephen Scott
(513) 921-4140

Amanda E. Mayes
AmandaEMayes@hotmail.com
(513) 961-3818

PRESS RELEASE -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- February 26, 2002

Negotiations: Our Position

The local media and newspapers announced on Sunday February 17 that the City and the Mayor had scheduled a meeting for February 19 to present the City's side of the boycott issues. The Coalition for a Just Cincinnati learned of this meeting, through the media, at the same time as the public. We held at a press conference on Monday February 18 with the Cincinnati Black United Front and Stonewall Cincinnati. At this press conference all three organizations stated that they were not attending the meeting called by the City. All three organizations stated their view that this meeting was not a prelude to real negotiations, but was instead designed to be a public relations event.

We wish to clarify the Coalition for a Just Cincinnati's position on negotiations, and other issues that have not been clear in the press.

If the City government or other governmental bodies show a good faith effort to begin real negotiations, and have convinced us that they are serious about implementing real change, we will come to the table.

We have not demanded "closed-door" or "secret" meetings, contrary to the Cincinnati Enquirer headline of Tuesday, February 19, 2002. (see: http://enquirer.com/editions/2002/02/19/loc_boycotters.html)

We do not require that any specific demand be met before we will negotiate or meet for serious discussions. We encourage the City, the County and the Federal government to immediately take steps to address real problems and real grievances.

The Coalition for a Just Cincinnati stands in solidarity with other groups which have called for boycotts and sanctions, such as the Cincinnati Black United Front (http://www.cbuf.org/) and Stonewall Cincinnati (http://www.stonewallcincinnati.org). We applaud their efforts in what we believe is a shared goal to improve human rights in Cincinnati. We believe that these groups should also be present at any negotiating table with the City or other governmental bodies over boycott and sanctions concerns.
However, at this time, we will not negotiate with these other groups, in order to create one demands document. We do not believe that such an effort is a justifiable use of our energies until the City is ready to seriously negotiate.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2002-02-26 Tue 18:52ct