Sharpton Plays Race Card - Doesn't Like Democrats Being Portrayed as Monkeys

My. Someone is sure touchy about apes. That seems like Sharpton's problem, not the cartoonist's.

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.


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.

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.

During Thursday's protest, CBS 2 HD cameras captured woman carefully ripping up a copy of The Post.

"How dare you violate the president of the United States?" she said.

A nationally syndicated cartoonist joined the protest.

For one woman, it was her first protest in 40 years.

"I was outraged. How could they print this? This is about violence," "Rachel" said.

Sharpton said the cartoon is racist. He has an ambitious plan of attack: boycotting newsstands, telling people not to buy The Post and asking advertisers not to advertize.