NASCAR asked to pull Jackson funding

US stock car body NASCAR has been asked "to cease support for Jesse Jackson and/or his non-profit organizations" while US forces are still in Iraq. The request from the independent National Legal & Policy Center follows Jackson's participation in what it calls "extreme and provocative anti-American rhetoric" during anti-war demonstrations. NASCAR is a 'platinum sponsor' of Jackson's activities, contributing more than $100,000

Apr 23, 2003, 6:32 PM

After the black preacher led the anti-war protests, the NLPC filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service charging Jackson's empire with abuse of its 'non-profit' privilege.

NLPC president Peter Flaherty told the Fox News TV channel: "This whole thing started in 1999, when Jesse Jackson complained to NASCAR that they had no black drivers at the Winston Cup level, which is the major league of stock car racing. At that point, NASCAR started giving financial support - big financial support. And Jackson's criticism of NASCAR ceased. So I think what they're trying to do is insulate themselves from charges of racism."

This has been denied by Dora Taylor, NASCAR's senior manager of diversity affairs, who said: "We want more diversity, it's as simple as that. We believe that Jesse Jackson's programmes bring value to communities. This industry embraces diversity and we want the best and brightest people working in our sport."