Rev. Jesse Jackson Calls on Citizens of Rockford to March for Jobs and Justice

Rev. Jesse Jackson Calls on Citizens of Rockford to March for Jobs and Justice

WHO: Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Rockford ministers, local community

WHAT: MARCH/RALLY

WHERE: Starting Point: Ellis Arts Academy
                                222 Central Ave
                                Rockford, IL 61102

              Ending Point: Kingdom Authority International
                                518 N. Court
                                Rockford, IL 61103

WHEN: Saturday September 12, 2009 2:00 p.m. CST

WHY: Rev. Jackson is calling for the citizens of Rockford, IL to march for an economic stimulus package.  Leaders of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition plan to organize residents in a march this coming Saturday for jobs, justice, education and health care.  

Rev. Jackson was initially called to the city by local ministers after the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Mark Anthony Barmore.  Barmore was shot by two police officers inside of a church day care. 

"We plan to march to show the community's collective hope," said Rev. Jackson.  "In some aspects, the death of Mark Anthony Barmore has caused great anxiety and great concern. But beyond that it has awakened people."

Rev. Jackson hopes the demonstration will address some of the social issues plaguing with community, such as high employment rates, the home foreclosure crisis and high school graduation rates. 

About two dozen union leaders representing building trades and government employees met with Jackson Tuesday morning to talk about the community's struggle with joblessness and the poor economy. Many of the union leaders have committed to marching with the community Saturday, Jackson said.

"We've been promised a reconstruction, a re-industrialization. Why not start in Rockford?"

The Rainbow PUSH Coalition is a progressive organization devoted to protecting, defending and expanding civil rights to improve economic and educational opportunity.


Lauren A. Love
Media Relations Specialist
lauren@jerrythomaspr.com
248-514-2922 (cell)