Sharpton breezes through Las Vegas on short visit

Erin Neff

Thursday, Dec. 20, 2001 | 11:18 a.m.

Las Vegas was merely a layover Wednesday for the Rev. Al Sharpton, who was on his way to Los Angeles to open another chapter of his National Action Network.

The Nevada chapter tried to use Sharpton's stop here to once again rattle the sabres of racial discrimination at MGM MIRAGE.

But flight delays pushed back Sharpton's scheduled press conference twice. And by the time he showed up at the Sawyer State Office Building -- not in the van that picked him up at the airport, but in a taxi -- Sharpton was already eyeing his next destination of the day.

Although he would issue a few fighting words aimed toward gaming giants, Sharpton seemed happier to discuss Wednesday night's Los Angeles chapter opening hosted by famed O.J. Simpson attorney Johnny Cochran.

"Having a presence out West means that when we deal with the corporations and power politicians we can do it coast to coast," Sharpton said. "This organization is aggressive and vibrant."

The moment the final question from the press was answered, Sharpton told network Nevada Chairman Gene Collins to deliver a letter to the Gaming Control Board by himself, and then asked: "Who's taking me to the airport?"

On Tuesday night Sharpton celebrated the fifth anniversary of his Harlem, N.Y., chapter with Jesse Jackson. Wednesday night would see him rubbing elbows with Cochran in Los Angeles.

So Las Vegas didn't seem to light the preacher's fire in ways he has exhibited while protesting racial injustice in New York or bombing on Puerto Rican islands.

After Sharpton and Collins emerged from the cab at the Sawyer Building press conference, it took about three minutes of fumbling by locals to get ready. Sharpton glanced at notes, primped one of the four points of his pocket handkerchief and studied his brown suede shoes waiting for an introduction.

"It's been a tiresome day to get here," was how Collins began, mentioning a flat tire on the van that delayed proceedings another 40 minutes.

He then mentioned the "lack of disparity" he has assailed at the MGM Grand.

Sharpton has broadened his network from 11 to 17 chapters since forming an exploratory committee to examine his potential run for president in 2004. Collins was eager to help the reverend open shop in Las Vegas after his former organization was discredited.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's national board of directors suspended the Las Vegas chapter -- run by Collins -- in April, claiming the group was adrift in internal quarrels.

Collins sued, but wasted no time waiting on the federal court system before joining Sharpton's network.

Sharpton, who lost a bid for the U.S. Senate, realizes he will need solid support outside New York to make even a glancing blow at the presidency.

"Clearly this gives us more hands-on abilities," Sharpton said about his growing network. "I certainly don't think it hurts us politically to branch out."

Collins called the press conference to allow Sharpton to "update a racial discrimination lawsuit" against the MGM Grand Detroit.

Fourteen employees sued alleging the MGM Grand Detroit reneged on a deal to promote blacks; engendered a hostile working environment for blacks and replaced black supervisors with whites.

Sharpton said he was very disturbed when viewing the situation from a national perspective because Collins had been complaining about similar problems in Las Vegas when the Detroit suit was filed.

"It seems there is a pattern," Sharpton said.

But he didn't mention that his own network's Michigan chairman, the Rev. Horace Sheffield, wrote to MGM Grand Detroit managing partner Joe Davis to thank him for meeting to discuss the concerns.

When asked about that letter, Sharpton simply said he disagreed with Sheffield.

He then demanded the Las Vegas MGM MIRAGE officials meet to address similar concerns, although he admitted he had not asked anyone yet to sit down with him.

Sharpton hinted that Las Vegas employees could join the Michigan suit in a class action, or that a separate lawsuit might be filed if MGM MIRAGE officials didn't comply.

"If Santa Claus don't bring me a letter, I'll be back the first of the year," Sharpton said when asked how long casino executives have to respond.

Collins' letter, however, wasn't addressed to MGM MIRAGE. Instead, the Dec. 19 letter asked Gaming Control Board Chairman Dennis Neilander to appoint an investigator to examine the Michigan case.

MGM MIRAGE was not pleased to be dragged out in public.

"Grandstanding, making unreasonable demands and staging press conferences will not get the job done," read a statement issued by MGM MIRAGE.

The statement also says officials have met with Collins several times to discuss progress the company is making through a diversity program.

Sharpton, who said he was wearing his "Sunday go to church suit" and not his "Friday go to jail clothes," wasn't too fired up about potential civil disobedience if MGM MIRAGE officials didn't meet with his representatives.

If talking fails and lawsuits prove futile, Sharpton said then he would encourage a boycott of MGM MIRAGE facilities. However, that would mean he couldn't attend boxing matches at the Garden Grand Arena or stay at MGM Grand's mansion -- both of which he has done in the past.

After a boycott, Sharpton said the civil disobedience would be an option.

"If they don't come to the table, we'll block the gaming tables," he said.