Anderson Cooper backs out of attending Dyngus Day
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BUFFALO, N.Y. — Dyngus Day is less than two months away, and while organizers planned on crowning the festival's first "Pussy Willow Prince," their leading man has told them he won't be attending.
Dyngus Day leaders say CNN's Anderson Cooper says he has a scheduling conflict due to an appearance on CBS's 60 Minutes, and he will not be able to attend the April 1st festivities.
Am really sad I will not be able to attend Dyngus Day in Buffalo. It sounds like a lot of fun. I have a work assignment I couldn't change.
Last year's Dyngus Day received a huge amount of national and international coverage because of Cooper and his amusement while describing the day.
Leaders are mounting a campaign to get Cooper to change his mind.
"We tried taking the high road but we cannot let injury be added to insult that we experienced with his ridiculing of our city, of our ethnicity and of our Polish pride. We will not sit for this. Should you come to your senses Mr. Cooper, we'll still welcome you with open arms," said Eddy Dobosiewicz, Dyngus Day organizer.
A new website is asking Cooper to reconsider.