There may be new fallout after a University of Louisville student posted an internet message stating that New Orleans residents should do anything to survive -- including shooting police, National Guard members or President George W. Bush if they get in their way.
Phillip Bailey, 21, is scheduled to participate in a forum to stop violence on Sept. 17. A local leader also scheduled to participate is now reconsidering whether to speak at the forum, WLKY NewsChannel 32's Andy Alcock reported Thursday.
Bailey was responding to another posted message about the turmoil following Hurricane Katrina. In his recent online response, Bailey wrote that families stranded by the storm should take and do anything necessary to stay alive, adding, "shoot every cop, National Guard (member) and politician who stands in your way, including George W. Bush, if need be."
On Tuesday, a Secret Service agent interviewed Bailey, and a spokesman for that agency said Bailey could face a federal charge of threatening the president.
Following the not guilty verdict of Officer McKenzie Mattingly, Phillip Bailey, a friend of Michael Newby, stated "The message is clear. The police can act with impunity..."
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And Thursday, Metro Police Chief Robert White said he'll speak to the organizers of the Sept. 17 forum before deciding whether he'll participate. Metro police spokeswoman Alicia Smiley said White might not want to share the spotlight with the student after his controversial remarks.
"The words that (Bailey) chose to use, unfortunately, were very inflamatory," she said.
Bailey's mentor, Ricky Jones, who also is the chairman of the Pan-African Studies Department at U of L, said Wednesday that he stands behind his student, and added Thursday that he'd be disappointed of White missed the Sept. 17 event.
"The bottom line is this -- (Bailey's) going to be on the panel, or there isn't going to be a panel at all," Jones said. "If (White) chooses not to participate in such a public forum, that's unfortunate, and I don't think that speaks very well of him."
The forum is scheduled to take place at St. Stephen Baptist Church. Alcock has tried to contact the Rev. Kevin Cosby, who's hosting the forum and also is scheduled to participate. And while Cosby hasn't spoken to WLKY, Jones said he's spoken to him.