North Carolina ? Critics of a blackface performance by three white men at a Gastonia church say they want to move on – but not without an apology.

The Rev. Thomas Holbrooks Jr. of Pilgrim Baptist Church did not attend a Friday news conference called by a Charlotte, N.C.-based representative of the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network. Organizers say they will continue to press for an apology until they get one.

“We encourage Pilgrim Baptist to apologize because we’re upset,” Action Network representative John Barnett said. “If they meant no harm, then it should be no problem for them to offer us an apology.”

At issue was a May 13 performance at Pilgrim Baptist in which three white men dressed in blackface and pantomimed traditional black hymns. A photo of one performer, displayed by Barnett at the news conference, has been widely circulated.