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.