50 gather outside Jamestown, NY paper to protest bigotry, bias

by Deb Spilko

JAMESTOWN NY—Feb. 21 - About 50 people weathered cold and high winds to take a stand outside The Post-Journal, protesting what they say is bigotry and bias in that publication.

The event was called "Raise Awareness, Community Outcry for Fair and Balanced Reporting." According to the group's mission statement, they demand that The Post-Journal "refrain from publishing editorial and reader-submitted content that includes slurs or insults based upon a person's or group's race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, political views, religious views or physical, mental or socio-economic status." They also demand "that The Post-Journal give equal space to syndicated and reader-submitted editorial content that reflects more moderate- and left-leaning views that may not reflect the views held by The Post-Journal."

"Certain views on politics are repeatedly being published. Certain views on social issues are repeatedly being published. And then, when I know that I myself and at least 20 other people have submitted rebuttals, they never get published," explained co-organizer Jamijo Williams during a recent WRFA interview.

Williams told YNN, "What we are asking for is more responsibility with editorial process. We just want a little more thought into what gets printed."

Article from WRFA offers background on the protest.

Interview with openly-gay Jamestown City Council president Greg Rabb. Greg did not organize the protest, but he has been the target of virulent anti-gay hate remarks. In this emotional interview he talks about the toll it has taken on him, especially anonymous threats and insults permitted in readers' comments.

"Boycott the Post-Journal" Facebook group. The group was originally calling for a boycott of the Post-Journal, and the name of the group has remained the same. However, the focus--at least for now-- now does not appear to be boycotting the publication but, according to the Mission Statement, "to persuade the local publisher and editors of The Jamestown Post-Journal to consistently portray a balanced, civil and positive view of the Jamestown area."

Article about protest in The Post-Journal. "Peaceful Protest: Community Group Gathers Downtown To Raise Awareness"

YNN report 2/21/14

MISSION STATEMENT:

It is the mission of this group to persuade the local publisher and editors of The Jamestown Post-Journal to consistently portray a balanced, civil and positive view of the Jamestown area.

We demand that The Post-Journal refrain from publishing editorial and reader-submitted content that includes slurs or insults based upon a person's or group's race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, political views, religious views or physical, mental or socio-economic status.

We demand that The Post-Journal give equal space to syndicated and reader-submitted editorial content that reflects more moderate- and left-leaning views that may not reflect the views held by The Post-Journal.

RECENTLY PUBLISHED LETTERS TO THE EDITOR AT THE POST-JOURNAL

"Issues Stem From Homosexuality" by Randall S. Braley (2/13/2014) Anti-gay letter that calls homosexuality evil and vilifies Greg Rabb without naming him.

"Rabb's Article Shows Cultural Decay" by Pastor Jeff Short 2/16/2014 Anti-gay and ad hominem response to Greg Rabb's article "Doing Good While Doing What is Right" (1/12/2014)

"Rabb Lives and Breathes Public Service" by Marcus Pisa (2/17/2014) Letter in support of Greg Rabb's contributions to the community, addressing the most recent vilification of Rabb.

"Christianity Is About Compassion For Others" Renate Bob (2/18/2014) refers to above letters and calls on Christians to remember "the overriding message of Jesus, which is love."

"Embrace Of Same-Sex Marriage Shows Progress" by Rev. Angus and Anne Watkins (2/19/2014). Supporting of diversity and Greg Rabb.

PHOTOS

THANKS FOR PHOTOS to Jamijo Williams and Ashley Ordines, Renee Posey, Jason Sample, Saree Nyx, Saree McClaran.

Individual photos have photographers' names on them.