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FAMILY OF ROSA PARKS OBJECT TO WILL: Nieces and nephews attempt to take over affairs of late civil rights figure.
*Relatives of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks are upset over what they believe is the misuse of her name and image authorized by the people Parks appointed to handle her affairs.
A dozen nieces and nephews of Parks filed an objection to her will last Friday in hopes of gaining control of her affairs.
"We still are very open to talk settlement in this case, if for no other reason than both sides have a deep respect for Ms. Parks," Frederick Toca Jr., an attorney for the family members, said Monday.
In the complaint filed Friday, the family members allege that Parks' longtime friend Elaine Steele, who handled her affairs, exerted undue influence over Parks.
Parks was subjected to threats, misrepresentations and coercion, the family members allege in the complaint. Parks was suffering from a mental condition that caused her to not understand her estate and assets at the time the will was dated in 1998, they say.
Parks' relatives, all sons and daughters of Parks' brother, Sylvester, have also complained that the sale of extra copies of the obituary programs from her funeral cheapened her name. But a former attorney for Parks has said the proceeds only covered costs, plus a small profit that went to the Rosa & Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development, a Detroit-based organization founded by Parks to teach young people leadership and character development.
Parks' family members have said they started legal proceedings in December to protect her legacy. They are fighting for control of the rights to Parks' name, photos and other yet-to-be-determined intellectual property.
A pretrial conference is set for Monday before a probate judge.
