'The Answer Is No': Chamber Of Commerce Refuses Call To Remove Cosby Star
HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce rejected a request Thursday by a group of civil rights activists to remove Bill Cosby's star from the Hollywood Walk of Fame in light of continuing allegations that he drugged and sexually assaulted women.
Earl Ofari Hutchinson of the L.A. Urban Policy Roundtable and Najee Ali of Project Islamic Hope met with reporters on the corner of Crenshaw and Martin Luther King boulevards to address their request with the Chamber of Commerce.
"Cosby is someone who's a serial rapist, who lied to his wife, his family, and the community," said Ali. "This star that Cosby has on the Walk of Fame should be removed."
Leron Gubler, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, confirmed that the chamber had received inquiries about removing Cosby's star, but that officials had already decided to reject the request.
"The answer is no," Gubler said. "The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a registered historic landmark. Once a star has been added to the Walk, it is considered part of the historic fabric of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
"Because of this, we have never removed a star from the Walk," he added.
Gubler also confirmed the Chamber had received requests about removing the Walk of Fame star belonging to Donald Trump, who has been under fire in recent weeks for disparaging comments he made about Mexican immigrants.
The request to remove the star comes amid the release of unsealed court documents this week in which the comedian admitted to giving Quaalude's to at least one woman before sex, according to the Associated Press.
Cosby received the Walk of Fame star in 1977. In 2014, the word "rapist" was written on the star, but was removed by workers.
"Stars are awarded for professional achievement to the world of entertainment and contributions to the community," explained Johnny Grant, former chair member of the Hollywood Walk of Fame committee. "A celebrity's politics, philosophy, irrational behavior, outrageous remarks, or anything like that have never been cause to remove a Walk of Fame star."
So far, more than two dozen women have accused Cosby of sexual misconduct. He has not been charged with a crime.