The group that has asked entertainers to boycott Cincinnati is now asking for help to raise money to defend against a potential lawsuit.

        The Coalition for a Just Cincinnati announced Monday that it will hold a town meeting Saturday to discuss its response to the Cincinnati Arts Association's threat to sue. During the forum, from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. at Ammons United Methodist Church in Walnut Hills, boycotters will ask attendees for donations.

        “We ain't got no money,” said the Rev. Stephen Scott, vice chairman of the coalition. “Ain't no use in lying about that. We don't have any financial backers, we back ourselves. The only money we have is the money in our own pockets.”

        The CAA threatened to sue the coalition after jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, to honor the boycott, canceled a concert scheduled for Saturday. The arts group claims there is basis for a lawsuit because the boycotters are interfering with legal contracts between the CAA and performers.

        In recent months, boycotters have also persuaded comedian Bill Cosby and singer Smokey Robinson to cancel shows in Cincinnati.

        The CAA told boycotters they could avoid the lawsuit if they agreed by Saturday to stop contacting artists performing at its venues and turn over all information on entertainers contacted. The CAA oversees the Aronoff Center for the Arts, Music Hall and Memorial Hall.

        Van Ackerman, a CAA spokesman, said the lawsuit is in a “holding pattern.”

        He said officials at the arts association have not spoken with the coalition since informing the boycott group of its intentions on Feb. 28.

        “They have until Saturday to respond,” Mr. Ackerman said. “Until then, it would be premature to put words in their mouths.”

        Coalition leaders said Monday they have not responded to the CAA.

        The Rev. Mr. Scott said the coalition has no intention of acceding to the CAA's demands.

        “We're not going to stop. That's one thing we're definitely not going to do, because that's what they expect us to do,” said the Rev. Mr. Scott. “If we have to cook chicken dinners and sell them to raise money, then that's what we will do.”

        Boycotters maintain they are protected by the constitutional right of free speech. However, the Rev. Mr. Scott did express some concern about information, such as membership lists, that could be made public because of the lawsuit.

        “We've got a lot of people who have been involved who want to remain anonymous,” he said. “We've already had one minister who's lost a church over this boycott and a couple of people who have lost their jobs, so you can see why some folks don't want their names out there.”

        The Rev. Mr. Scott said the coalition is not sure if the CAA will follow through with its threat, but they plan to be prepared no matter the decision. He said the group is looking at several local attorneys including Ken Lawson, who also represents the Cincinnati Black United Front.

        Mr. Lawson could not be reached for comment Monday.

        The Rev. Mr. Scott said coalition leaders would have a better idea of who it will hire after its general membership meeting on Monday.

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