The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES € The Rev. Jesse Jackson led chanting, placard-carrying demonstrators outside the ABC-TV affiliate last night to protest the Academy Awards' lack of minority nominees.

''It's good that we have raised the consciousness of Hollywood,'' Jackson told reporters as about 75 people marched in a circle outside KABC-TV.

''We're going to form a rainbow covenant and take it to the studio heads and to the stars. There's a lack of creativity and opportunity, leaving stories untold,'' said Jackson, who heads the civil rights group Rainbow Coalition.

Across the country, about 30 people picketed in front of ABC's studios in Washington, D.C., chanting: ''Two, four, six, eight, Hollywood must integrate!'' and ''Hollywood, be fair; Hollywood, be fair!''

In Chicago, about 200 marched in front of ABC-owned WLS-TV just before the Oscars broadcast.

Lawrence Landry, chairman of the Washington Metropolitan Rainbow Coalition, said the demonstration in the nation's capital was held to protest the fact that only one of the 166 Academy Award nominees was black.

''Last year, there were two and we didn't want it to go to zero,'' Landry said.

The lone black nominee, Dianne Houston, was nominated in the best live action short category for ''Tuesday Morning Ride,'' but she didn't win.

In Los Angeles, Jackson said rainbow ribbons were given to celebrities participating in last night's Oscar show, yet few were seen early in the telecast.

Host Whoopi Goldberg took the stage ribbonless and drew loud applause when she made a joke about them.

''Jesse Jackson asked me to wear a ribbon € I got it,'' she said. ''I had something I wanted to say to Jesse right here, but he's not watching so why bother.''

There were no Rainbow demonstrators evident outside the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, where the ceremonies were held.

But two men held placards decrying Hollywood's treatment of Hispanic actors.

Jackson's protest grew into a noisy pre-Oscar controversy following an article in People magazine critical of Hollywood's hiring practices.

It drew the ire of many show business personalities, including talk-show host Oprah Winfrey, who interviewed celebrities as they entered the Oscar ceremony. She said Jackson's efforts were ill-timed with the involvement of Goldberg and producer Quincy Jones.

Bruce Davis, academy executive director, also defended the industry.

''We have not only nominated African-American performers but also awarded them Oscars,'' he said. ''When the work is there, we have shown an ability to recognize and reward it.''