ATLANTA — Metro civil rights leaders tell Channel 2 Action News that they are upset Atlanta Hawks executives canceled their meeting to discuss the team's racial controversy.
The civil rights group had planned to meet with the Hawks at 11 a.m. Wednesday, but received notice from the team that Hawks leadership was not prepared to meet yet.
The group staged a brief sit-in in the lobby of Philips Arena and left about 15 minutes later.
The activitsts left after a security guard told them no one from the Hawks would come down to talk to them.
The civil rights group told Channel 2's Dave Huddleston that they are concerned with a comment made by Atlanta Hawks general manager Danny Ferry.
On a recent conference call Ferry said of a prospective player "has a little African in him."
"Atlanta and the Atlanta Hawks should be leading the way for the NBA, not showing the NBA and other teams what not to do," said Rev. Markel Hutchins. "We're not in the business of trying to embarrass the Hawks. We're trying in the business of doing what's in the best interest of our communities."
The group of civil rights leaders talked to Channel 2 Action News briefly Wednesday morning, saying they were looking forward to talking with Steve Koonin, CEO of the Hawks organization, about comments some considered racially insensitive.
They headed towards the meeting despite notice from the Hawks that the meeting would not happen. About 10 minutes later the group came back saying the Hawks would not meet with them because they "needed more time."
Hutchins says he spent about 30 to 40 minutes on the phone with Koonin Monday night setting up the meeting, but found out late Tuesday it wouldnt happen.
"We are obviously offended but we're not so offended that we're willing to not converse. We still intend to meet. But the meeting must be a meeting with civil rights membership because that's what they agreed to. Steve told The Associated Press he wanted to meet with civil rights leadership," Hutchins said.
Hutchins said he wanted to continue with the Wednesday meeting because he didn't have time to call all the civil rights leaders.
In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, the Hawks organization said:
"Koonin postponed today's meeting last night. This conversation is a priority for us. We are committed to having this meeting and will work with community leaders to reschedule as soon as possible. We ask our community to work with us, be patient with us, and help us heal."
The team said they have punished Ferry, but have not said how.
"Danny Ferry must go if this team is to move forward. The NBA should be intervening and making sure," Hutchins said.
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