DENVER -- Colorado stores which sell the Custer's Revenge video game -- which features a caricature of an Indian woman who is tied to a post and raped -- will be picketed, the National Organization of Women warned Monday.
A NOW official said the organization refused to sit back and do nothing while a game that 'blatantly portrays acts of violence' against women was sold in the name of entertainment.
She said picketing would begin this weekend.
NOW's Colorado coordinator, Tricia Gallegos, said her organization already has contacted 25 stores announcing its intentions. She said most either were not carrying the game or have pledged not to do so.
However, there still are three or four stores that have indicated they might sell the game, she said. Negotiations are under way and those stores willbe picketed unless they agree to remove it from their shelves.
'The video game Custer's Revenge is degrading, offensive and a blatant statement of racism and sexism,' Ms. Gallegos said. 'NOW cannot ignore any company which seeks to so blatantly portray acts of violence against women as a form of entertainment.'
Ms. Gallegos said she had seen portions of the video game, but never watched the depicted rape scene. In the game, an electronic Custer dodges obstacles and arrows. If he makes it across the field, he gets his revenge by raping an Indian woman tied to a post.
Ms. Gallegos -- who said Atari also had filed suit against the game's manufacturers -- urged Coloradans not to buy the product and to express anger to any store managers where the the game is for sale.
'I'm just so outraged by this I can barely speak about it,' she said. 'It's so offensive I can't believe anyone in this day and age finds it entertaining.'
