...The reverend and his National Action Network are threatening to demonstrate against Thomas and the Knicks outside of Madison Square Garden this season if he doesn't apologize for suggesting that there are different standards regarding the acceptable use of derogatory language toward black women.

Thomas was convicted of sexual harassment against Anucha Browne Sanders, a former vice president of marketing for the Knicks. In a videotaped deposition, Thomas said: "A white man calling a black female 'bitch,' that is wrong with me. I am not accepting that. That's a problem for me." But, asked whether he would be as angry if the same words came from a black man, Thomas said, "Not as much. …I'm sorry to say, I do make a distinction."

"If, in fact, that's what Mr. Thomas said, he's wrong," Sharpton said

In Los Angeles, local civil rights leaders wrote a letter to Laker's owner Jerry Buss Friday urging him to join the national call for Thomas to publicly apologize.

"By joining in the call for Thomas to apologize for his demeaning remarks against women, the Lakers organization will send the strong message that sexual harassment will not be condoned," says Earl Ofari Hutchinson, President, Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable, and Eddie Jones, President, Los Angeles Civil Rights Assn....

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