Nation of Islam’s Fee Waiver Will Stand
The City Council’s decision to waive a $30,000 fee for the Nation of Islam’s upcoming conference at the Convention Center will stand, lawmakers decided Wednesday.
The waiver--one of dozens the city routinely grants to community groups for public events--had been challenged by the Anti-Defamation League, which cited the “Nation of Islam’s unwavering record of racism and bigotry.”
Last week, Councilmen Jack Weiss and Eric Garcetti asked the city attorney to determine if the Feb. 13-17 event, an anti-gang convention with Magic Johnson as an honorary co-chairman, met city criteria for waivers. By Wednesday, they had their answer: The conference, billed as educational rather than religious, appeared to serve a public purpose.
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