(3-15-02) NAACP asks Al Green, OutKast to boycott Three Rivers Fest
(Columbia-AP) March 15, 2002 - The state chapter of the NAACP wants some musical acts to cancel plans to attend a festival in Columbia next month. The civil rights group is boycotting the state because of the Confederate flag flying on the Statehouse grounds.
The organization has asked soul singer Al Green and the hip-hop group OutKast to stay away from the Three Rivers Music Festival in Columbia. The state chapter's request must still be considered by national President Kweisi Mfume.
Green says he still plans to come to Columbia. He says he tries to stay out of politics.
Arista Records in New York City says OutKast won't comment.
NAACP Executive Director Dwight James says the organization chose Green and OutKast because of their status in the entertainment industry.