Local Panther leader vows Strip march if demands not met

Erica Johnson

Wednesday, June 20, 2001 | 10:29 a.m.

Talks between the city of Las Vegas and the local Black Panther Party over revitalization of West Las Vegas broke down this week after the Black Panther leader issued an ultimatum.

Mayor Oscar Goodman said Tuesday that he will not be threatened by ultimatums and that he will agree to Ron Current's demands "when hell freezes over."

Current said Monday at a press conference that if city officials don't agree to fund a $6 million economic redevelopment plan for West Las Vegas by July 16, the Black Panther Party will organize 5,000 people for a disruptive march on the Strip in September.

In April Current faxed a similar list of demands to Goodman that included the rebuilding of the Doolittle Community Center, 1940 N. J St., and the hiring of West Las Vegas laborers by area construction companies.

The local party was founded shortly after the April 30, 1992, uprising in West Las Vegas that followed verdicts in the first trial of the Los Angeles police officers charged with beating Rodney King.

Current, founder of the local branch of the Black Panthers, maintains that predominately black areas are being denied opportunities for economic well-being.

During the press conference Monday at the West Las Vegas Library, Current outlined his new economic plan to help existing businesses and provide capital for startup businesses.

Current wants the city to provide $5 million to establish a Small Business Investment Co. to provide matching funds to West Las Vegas residents who could start businesses but lack capital. He also wants the city to provide an additional $1 million for management and technical assistance programs for the businesses.

Current warned that if the plan is not signed by Goodman by July 16, the march will take place in September.

Goodman, who met with Current in June, said their meeting was cordial and productive, but he called Current's plan nonsense.

Goodman said the city has been working to revitalize the West Las Vegas community for years and has purchased land for new development.

The city has allocated $4 million for the revitalization of Doolittle, Goodman said, but that expansion has nothing to do with Current's initiatives.

Current said the Panthers will sacrifice the $4 million Goodman has put aside for Doolittle if Goodman agrees to use those funds toward the investment company instead.

"I think people would rather have jobs than play basketball," Current said.

Goodman said Current has not communicated any plans to march on the Strip.

Gov. Kenny Guinn reviewed Current's demands several months ago and agreed to help Current in any way that he could, said Jack Finn, Guinn's spokesman. But Finn said Guinn, too, was unaware of any deadline or plans to march in September.