1st of 2 SCLC conventions under way in Atlanta

The Associated Press

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference is meeting this week in its hometown of Atlanta, determined to carry on its social justice agenda despite a distracting public feud.

Its board members battered and its fate still up to a judge, the group's split board is having two conventions this week. Bernice King, who was elected president of the civil rights organization in October, will not take office as planned during the meetings and it is unclear whether she will attend.

Last week, King held a prayer vigil calling for a unified SCLC to end the bickering.

The first convention began Saturday and is focused on the Gulf oil spill.