Civil rights advocates call for boycott of San Francisco Giants over controversial donation

Civil rights advocates are calling for a boycott of the San Francisco Giants following the revelation that one of the team's owners recently donated to the re-election campaign of U.S. Senate candidate Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi.

Billionaire Charles Johnson and his wife donated $5,400 to the incumbent Republican, who who faces a runoff election Tuesday. Hyde-Smith joked at a campaign rally this month about sitting on the front row of a public hanging. 

In a statement issued Monday, Oakland attorney John Burris called for fans not to attend Giants games "as long as Charles Johnson is associated with the team."

Among the Giants ownership group, Johnson is one of the largest stakeholders. 

“This is an issue that’s far greater than supporting a baseball team,” Burris said. “(It’s) where the owner’s values are totally inconsistent of this entire community and contemporary modern views of the social order.”

Johnson's attorney, Joe Cotchett, told reporters Monday afternoon the retired businessman doesn't have "a racist bone in his body" and was unaware of the controversy. 

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Cotchett said Johnson told him, “Joe, if she’s a racist, I will not support her. I will get my money back.”

The team issued a statement saying it does not condone "racist and hateful language and behavior by anyone" and touting its many community outreach efforts.

However, the release also noted the Giants "have more than 30 owners" who "come from different backgrounds and have their own political views."

Major League Baseball has also come under fire for donating to Hyde-Smith's campaign. But following a similar backlash, asked for its $5,000 contribution to be returned.

Follow Gardner on Twitter @SteveAGardner