via CBSTV
Protests over a controversial New York Post cartoon drew people from all walks of life Thursday — as activists outlined a detailed plan to show their outrage and demand changes from the spirited tabloid.
It was a huge demonstration, one that clearly got the attention of The Post.
The newspaper came under fire Wednesday after a cartoon was published that critics said links President Barack Obama to a raging chimpanzee shot dead by police in Connecticut. But the newspaper also said the image was exploited by its longtime antagonists.
On Thursday night the tabloid newspaper apologized “to those who were offended by the image,” in an editorial on its Web site.
The editorial also said some media and public figures who have long-standing differences with the paper saw the cartoon “as an opportunity for payback.”
The editorial called them “opportunists” and said: “To them, no apology is due.”
The drawing shows a dead chimp, with the caption reading: “They’ll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill.”
That set off a swarm of controversy, culminating in The Rev. Al Sharpton-led protest Thursday afternoon outside The Post’s Manhattan headquarters.
Sharpton, who planned another rally for Friday, released a statement, saying he’s not satisfied with simply an apology.
“The New York Post statement will be discussed by all of the leadership of the various groups that have mobilized and we will respond to it at the rally at 5 p.m. tomorrow outside of the New York Post.
“At this point there will be no cancellation of the rally and though we think it is the right thing for them to apologize to those they offended, they seem to want to want to blame the offense on those of whom raised the issue, rather than take responsibility for what they did. Continue reading →