http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/115672.html

Controversy leads Cosby to cancel his show

By Rick Bentley / The Fresno Bee
08/18/07 04:48:11

Bill Cosby has canceled his Sept. 2 appearance at the Chukchansi Gold
Resort & Casino because of a dispute between the casino and an outside
group over the tribe's efforts to get rid of some members.

That group wrote a letter to Cosby to explain how it is upset with the
Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians, owners of the Coarsegold
casino, for removing people from its membership rolls.

"The letter was written to stop these performers from coming and supporting
the tribes for doing what they are doing to the people," says Laura Wass, a
Fresno-based American Indian activist who is a member of the group that
sent the letter.

Wass says Cosby was not singled out for any particular reason. He is just
the first of several performers scheduled to appear at Chukchansi who have
been sent letters regarding the dispute.

Letters also have been sent to Reba McEntire, who is scheduled to perform
Friday at Chukchansi Park in Fresno, and to the Smothers Brothers, who are
slated to be at the Coarsegold casino Sept. 14.

The group that sent the letter to performers is concerned that the
disenrollment efforts are hurting the tribe's heritage. The letter also
stated that if the performance went on as planned, the group would protest
outside the casino.

Representatives of the casino declined to comment on the protest or the
cancellation.

David Brokaw, Cosby's public relations representative, said the comedian
did not make the decision to cancel the show because of the threat of
protests.

"He is unwilling to be caught in the middle of the dispute," Brokaw said.
"Mr. Cosby is more than willing to perform at Chukchansi Gold when the
matter has been settled."

Cosby has been to the central San Joaquin Valley on many occasions. The
most recent was March 10 at the L.J. Williams Theatre in Visalia. That
event raised money for the Sequoia Riverlands Trust.

The reporter can be reached at rbentley@... or (559) 441-6355.