WASHINGTON -- Coretta Scott King says it was bigotry that motivated conservatives in their bitter battle against a newly passed measure honoring Martin Luther King Jr. with a national holiday.
'These conservatives try to dress up what they're doing,' Mrs. King said Thursday.
'They are against equal rights for black people,' she said calmly. 'The motivation behind this is certainly strongly racial.'
During debate on the bill, it was argued that a 10th national holiday would cost the government $18 million or more in lost productivity. Founding fathers Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson deserved recognition first, some senators said.
Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., who led the fight against the bill, claimed King was inspired by communism and should not be commemorated until the details of his past are aired completely.
In an interview with United Press International, Mrs. King said it would be a mistake to underestimate the number of people who supported Helms and his conservative backers in their losing battle against the bill, which passed the Senate 78-22 on Wednesday.
'Where did those 22 come from?' Mrs. King asked. 'Helms was not out there by himself. That's why the president made the statement he did.'
President Reagan said he would sign the holiday bill into law reluctantly as a 'symbolic' tribute. He preferred an informal observance instead of giving federal workers another paid day off.
Reagan also said he was sympathetic to Helms' demand that records of 1960s FBI wiretaps of King be divulged. They were sealed by court order for 50 years beginning in 1977.
Asked if he believed King was a tool of communists, Reagan said, 'We'll know in about 35 years, won't we?'
'It affirmed that he (Reagan) really does feel a sense of identity and closeness with that group (of conservatives),' Mrs. King said.
'It's hard for me to see that someone like that really believes in equality,' she said. 'What kind of America does he want it to be? He doesn't represent America.'
Reagan spokesman Larry Speakes did not respond to a question as to whether the president would apologize to Mrs. King, but said, 'The president said what he said,' when asked if Reagan regretted his news conference remarks.
Speakes said no decision had been made on whether Reagan would hold a ceremony including Mrs. King when he signs the bill. The legislation is not expected to arrive at the White House until next week.
Petitions signedby 43,000 conservatives were brought to the White House Thursday by New Right activist Howard Phillips in hopes of convincing Reagan to veto the holiday. It will be observed on the third Monday in January -- the month King was born -- beginning in 1986.
White House spokesman Larry Speakes said Reagan's decision is final, adding, 'The president will sign the bill.'
'It's been so obvious (since) his election that he has systematically ignored the concerns of black people,' Mrs. King said. 'But he had a great opportunity to be a statesperson. He didn't have to say what he did.'
Mrs. King said she guessed she would be invited to any White House ceremony for the bill signing despite her conviction that Reagan has 'written off the black community.'
'They have no choice. I come with the package,' she said with a laugh.
Mrs. King watched the Senate vote Wednesday from the gallery. She has lobbied for the holiday bill ever since it was introduced in Congress 15 years ago, shortly after her husband was assassinated at the age of 39.
