The Michigan Daily-Tuesday, August 12, 1980-Page 3
***********_.. Convention Reports .
ALLEGEDLY LOCK OUT OPEN CONVENTION ADVOCATES
Carter campaigners blasted
By TOM MIRGA
special to The Daily
NEW YORK - The Carter campaign tried to "lock
out" representatives from the open convention com-
mittee from speaking before key delegation
caucuses, spokespersons from the Committee to Con-
tinue the Open Convention alleged yesterday.
A Carter campaign official flatly denied the
allegations.
COMMITTEE PRESS AIDE Carol Schlein said the
lockouts from the Oklahoma, Iowa, Maryland, and
National Education Association caucuses seriously
hampered the group's attempt to block the passage of
nort, rul F (') ()t ,which will hind deleato In vote
for the presidential candidate whom they were elec-
ted to support for at least the first convention ballot.
The Committee to Continue the Open Convention
lost its battle last night when delegates voted 1,935.4
to 1,390.6 to keep the convention closed.
The committee claimed the rule violates a
provision of the Democratic Party's charter stating
the party shall not require delegates to cast votes
contrart to their expressed preference.
The committee also believes any candidate
nominated by a (closed) convention cannot defeat
Republican party nominee Ronald Reagan in the
November election.
COMMITTEE SPOKESWOMAN Diane Ketcham
said the Carter campaign persuaded several
delegation leaders to cancel arrangements to let
speakers from the open convention committee ad-
dress their caucuses.
"With Iowa," she said, "Rep. Tom Downey of New
York definitely was a confirmed speaker. But they
called us Sunday afternoon just an hour or so before
hewas scheduled to speak and said 'No way.' They
called us back Monday morning and said someone
could speak to the delegation. Then they called a
third time and reneged again."
Ketcham said Rep. Michael Barnes of Maryland
Women,
minorities
threaten to
withdraw
support
By ELAINE RIDEOUT
Special to The Daily
NEW YORK - Disillusioned with
President Carter, women and black
minority caucuses threatened yester-
day to withdraw their traditional en-
dorsement of the Democratic Party if
their demands for government support
are not recognized.
Walter Fauntroy, District of Colum-
bia congressman, yesterday called for
changes in the Democratic platform
and a commitment from Carter to
provide for blacks. "Otherwise," he
said, "the blacks won't turn out to vote
and the Democrats won't win."
THE NATIONAL Organizationfor
AP Photo Women warned that if Carter does not
back two minority planks regarding
trations campaign funding and abortion, the
country organization would not endorse him for
re-election.
"The level of government commit-
ment to women's issues is not strong
enough," Smeal said in an interview
with The Daily. She called for "more
vigorous leadership" and demanded
See MINORITIES, Page 10
ers saia. W e're in
is that we
on-making
man of the New or
n, brought
nday at the This week The Daily provides
alternates extensive coverage of the
tN Conven- Democratic National Convention
N Roseland in New York. Veteran reporters
's Conven Nick Katsarelas, Tom Mirga,
'attConvend Elaine Rideout, and Kevin Tottis
attracted will provide principal features
'ommunity and in-depth reports while Daily
low and staffers Lorenzo Benet, Maureen
early '70s. Fleming, and Joshua Peck will
nority and make occasional contributions.
FRANCISCAN FRIAR JOSEPH Shea leans on a police barricade in New York City Sunday while watching demon'
at Madison Square Garden. The Garden is the focus of nationwide attention this week as Democrats across the
gather for the Democratic Convention.
. Poor, minorities stage
alternative convention
NEW YORK (AP) - Minority and low-income groups
yesterday began spreading a message they developed at
alternate conventions to the one opening at Madison Square
Garden - the Democratic Party had better change.
From a tent city in the South Bronx to mock convention
rooms at a midtown dance hall and hotel, the pre-
conventioners talked about the shortcomings of the party and
its leadership, the needs of its constituents and ways to
change.
AND WITH the opening of the convention, two of three
groups holding alternate conventions sent 244 delegated and
125 alternates to the Garden to turn the talk into action.
For the most part, that action will take the form of a
presence at the convention rather than introduction of
proposals on the floor.
The delegates planned to lobby with other delegates and
party leaders for more low-income and minority represen-
tation in the party, andwere prepared to votetogether should
any issue involving their constituencies arise, lead
"THE MESSAGE we are bringing to the party
are going to be taken into account at all decisi
levels of the party," said David Lizarraga, chain
Hispanic American Democrats.
HAD, a nearly 2-year-old national organizatio
together 400 of its 4,000 members Saturday and Sur
New York Sheraton, and sent 204 delegates and 125
to the Garden.
Other alternate conventions included the ACOB
tion attended by 1,500 people from 20 states at
ballroom Sunday and yesterday, and the People
tion, a counter-convention in the South Bronx whici
about 500 persons Friday and 400 on Saturday.
ACORN is an acronymn for Association of C
Organizations for Reform Now, a grassroots
moderate income advocacy group formed in the
The People's Convention consisted of several mi
low-income advocacy groups.