Jesse Jackson consults with J. Cochran re: Suing Chicago for Night Club Fire

NY Times ^ | 2/19/03 | Jodi Wilgoren

[NYC Republican]

Today, as Mr. Jackson consulted Johnnie Cochran Jr. about filing a lawsuit against the city, the club's owners and the party's promoters on behalf of the victims, some people criticized him for helping keep a dangerous club open, particularly because of his long relationship with Mr. Kyles. The club owner's father, the Rev. Samuel Billy Kyles, a founding member of Mr. Jackson's Operation PUSH, was with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. the night he died.

But Mr. Jackson and other ministers who supported the club, as well as a bartender who worked there, said they had no idea there was a court order prohibiting use of the second floor. They accused the city of shirking its enforcement responsibilities and said officials should have known that the club was operating because of widespread advertisement of its events, continued police activity, and complaints from neighbors.

"The city has become very defensive about unenforced codes, what they knew when," said Mr. Jackson, who has asked the Illinois attorney general to conduct an independent investigation. "All who are culpable must be in the eye of the analysis. The owners, those responsible for the building being locked, those who didn't enforce the law. The public safety and security is in the hands of public officials whose charge that is."

As for his relationship with Mr. Kyles, a lawyer, Mr. Jackson said he also knew the police chief, the fire commissioner and relatives of the victims: "I know all of them because it's in the middle of my community."

[NYC Republican]

Can you believe the nerve of this scum? He was a huge supporter of the club, and now wants to sue the city. Doesn't assign full blame to the owners. He is a despicable human being. A disgrace to all.

[Shermy]

He's making sure the families sue the City, not his friends. It's about money.

[2right]

Had the city enforced the laws against Jackson's buddies there would have been cries of racism.

[NYC Republican]

You and Shermy are both spot on. Notice how he NEVER takes responsibility. Ever? Reminds you of someone? His soul brother - Bubba?!?!

[b4its2late]

They're like sharks in the water.

[billhilly]

"In the middle of MY community." Enough said.

[Princeliberty]

Scum of the earth. The city had ordered it closed
and Jackson fought the closing of the club.
He should be sued.

[bfree]

I agree Jesse is scum, but I think he is right about the city. Dictator Daley and his staff close bars all the time. Their sorry excuses at today's press conference were embarassing. There is more than enough blame to go around, including Jesse and his pals, but the city should have closed this place earlier. The police station is 8 blocks away. They knew what was happening there. Now trying to plead ignorance is insulting. By the way, I live in Chicago and am sick of the dictator.

[Arpege92]

Nothing but a chance to make huge amounts of money off of the dead! What a nice guy! NOT!

[TruthFactor]

I wish I could post what I'd really like to say here. No doubt, it would be pulled faster than greased lightning.

[NYC Republican]

You know that if they had closed it, JJ, and his commie Ill Rep son, JJJ, would have protested, demonstrated, cried racism, etc...

I agree that Daley has no balls, and is as bad as Dinkins was in NYC. I'd bet my bottom dollar that if Guiliani was the mayor, the padlocks would have PERMANENTLY been placed on the club.

[Normal4me]

Wanna play ball? Fine! DEMOLISH every single building that doesn't meet code. You ok with that Mr. Jackson?

[pke]

What Jackass doesn't realize is that he is creating a Catch-22. His power is in intimidating politicians and businesses with the cry of racism and/or lawsuit if they don't give him what he wants. If he is going to cry racism and lawsuit even after he gets what he wants then politicians and businesses are going disregard his threats and take the path least likely to produce a lawsuit. This will nueter him.

[kcar]

As is their way.

[Shermy]

The police might not have known about the shutdown order. Perhaps some other department had responsibility. Also, those that had responsibility might have been influenced not to force the order. Or just dropped it into the vacuum of bureaucracy.

Anyway, Jackson's purpose is to immediately spin the attack in one direction. I'd like to know about insurance...was the insurer informed about the closing order?

[meyer]

This will nueter him.

I was thinking of a more colorful way of nuetering him.

Chop!

[Miss Marple]

Well, this should be a nice fracas between the Daley machine and the Jackson camp.

Just in time for the Carol Mosley Braun/Al Sharpton squabble.

[NYC Republican]

He has Daley in his back pocket.

The more I think about it, the more I respect Guiliani, and what he did for our city. Who else would have had the guts to tell Sharpton he doesn't want to meet him any place, any time, any way? That's ballsy.

There will never be another, at least not in NYC.

[SwinneySwitch]

"The city has become very defensive about unenforced codes, what they knew when," said Mr. Jackson, who has asked the Illinois attorney general to conduct an independent investigation. "All who are culpable must be in the eye of the analysis. The owners, those responsible for the building being locked, those who didn't enforce the law. The public safety and security is in the hands of public officials whose charge that is."

That's pure Jesse! He's back, I can't understand him again.