News and Interviews

Rev Jesse Jackson with Mike Shaft

Renowned civil rights campaigner Reverend Jesse Jackson Senior arrived in Manchester as part of a tour to launch Equanomics UK, an initiative focusing on racial justice through economic equality.

His visit couldn't come at a more appropriate time. Manchester is about to mark the anniversary of the fatal shooting of Jesse James in a park in Moss Side alongside a resurgence in gun crime in the city's black communities.

Speaking to Mike Shaft on BBC Radio Manchester’s Sunday Breakfast, Rev Jackson spoke about his vision for tackling crime inequality and why disaffected youngsters turn to violence:

Gun crime

Rev Jackson stressed the importance of role models for children but emphasised that they don't have to be famous.

Jesse Jackson also commented on gun crime... “The glorification of violence… we can solve problems by blowing the enemy away. We've begun to believe that as a lifestyle.
I believe you can choose non-violence as a lifestyle, or non existence.”

Minister

The Reverend Jesse Jackson, who worked alongside Martin Luther King, is a professional civil rights activist and Baptist minister.

The economics of colour

He was a candidate for the Democrats' presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988, and is a prominent leader of the American Christian Left.

During his visit, he also met the Lord Mayor of Manchester at a civic reception and he also marked the contributions that Black communities have made to modern Britain as well as commemorating the abolition of the slave trade.