Protesters turn on Jesse Jackson during rally

ABC 7 Chicago ^ | November 25, 2003 | Rob Johnson

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

A Loop rally demanding more jobs for young black men turned into a protest against the leadership of Reverend Jesse Jackson.

With roughly 100,000 Chicagoans between 16 and 24 out of work or not in school, Rainbow Push was hoping to call to action disenfranchised young people, but a group of people disenchanted with Jesse Jackson led a spirited protest that sometimes drowned out the message of more jobs.

Hundreds converged upon a frigid Federal Plaza today to hear politicians and political candidates talk passionately about creating more jobs.

"Since this is a union working town the unions need to provide job training and set up a trade school in the city of Chicago," said Sen. James Meeks, 15th District.

However some of the speakers were quickly drowned out by boos, bullhorns, and verbal jabs from a group called VOTE, ex-offenders, community activists, church leaders, and Muslims, tired of what they call the rhetoric in the African-American community.

"We are tired of coming here to voice our opinion when we got African-American people sitting at the table and saying they represent our interests and playing this puppet game," said one protester.

Afterwards ABC7's Rob Johnson asked Reverend Jackson why he felt like so much verbal venom was aimed in his direction.

"They lashed out at Dr. King, they lashed out at Nelson Mandela, they lashed out at Jesus, so all of those who fight for change become the object of frustration," said Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rainbow-Push Coalition.

"What has he sacrificed for his beliefs? Us. We've been sacrificed. On the altar of his political ambition our people have been destroyed," said John Johnson, VOTE.

Rob Johnson: Does this distract from the message you're trying to put forth today?

Jesse Jackson: It distracts from the message but it shows the pain.

The group "VOTE" is frustrated because it says not enough job training programs have been offered to those who need them the most. But despite the contentious afternoon at Federal Plaza Reverend Jackson says he will continue to make sure jobs are more readily available.

[SierraWasp]

The REAL black leaders are Doctors of Philosophy! Not Doctors of Divinity!!!

The more who are Phd's the better off they will be. The more who are Rev's the worse off they will be!!!

Oh! And the less Doctors of Medicine runnin for President, the better off we'll all be!!!

[Bullish]

....Many buisinesses Just want a fundamental high school education, a good work ethic, and they will be happy to train. Many Americans pulled themselves up by their bootstraps this way.

These people for some reason think they should start out in the middle. A free, capitalist society doesn't work that way.

You start at the bottom like I did, rise up and circle around the bowl awhile.

[Stultis]

"They lashed out at Dr. King, they lashed out at Nelson Mandela, they lashed out at Jesus, so all of those who fight for change become the object of frustration," said Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rainbow-Push Coalition.

Je$$e don't "fight for change." He's fighting for folding money!

[Stultis]

Why sure. Jesus was just a guy who, like Jesse, was "fighting for change".

Je$$e could'a been a big help to Jesus; e.g. obtaining long term lodging for women "taken in adultery," managing the anointing oil account, and, uh, "picking up" after Jesus when he overturned money-changing tables.

[JustPiper]

All I can say is smart folks -g-

[Lancey Howard]

An oldie but a goodie - - the best expose on the race-hustle / extortion racket that I have ever read.

THE ALEXIS NEXUS

[Seeking the truth]

a big smile from here in cold Las Vegas!

Let the historic record reflect that the Florida Freepers were the first to boo & bullhorn Je$$e Jack$son off a stage!

Great memories....Election 2000...in front of the West Palm Beach Courthouse....I still have that bullhorn...the one that chased the Shakedown Artist back to Chicago!

[BenLurkin]

Does JBT = FOI?

[ArrogantBustard]

(and I'm one so I guess I can say this)

It's really sad that our Nation has so desended into politically correct nonsense that you felt obliged, on a conservative forum, to include this parenthetical comment.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Unmentioned is the fact that the race baiters shut down a training program at Washburn set up by the unions to train kids for the trades. Not enough of the right colors were represented so it is gone.

Jerkson makes me sick.

[tracer]

By gum, Chicago still is "My Kind of Town......."

[tracer]

""They lashed out at Dr. King........they lashed out at Jesus........," said Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rainbow-Push Coalition."

Perhaps some patriotic Americans will help Jesse to enjoy a bit of realism in his fantasy world.

I seem to recall that Memphis usually is quite nice around Easter-timeand offers a good choice of both hills and low-end motels.....

[Let's Roll]

And that's education - not the indoctrination the public skools are dishing out.

[Lee'sGhost]

You want jobs? Get rid of the unions!

[HardStarboard]

>>>The group "VOTE" is frustrated because it says not enough job training programs have been offered to those who need them the most.<<<

OK Jesse and Mr. VOTE Rep, I'll give you a $1.00 for every application for job training you can produce, with a verifiable date prior to this protest, from any of the protesters at todays rally.

[MissAmericanPie]

Sorry kids, why would anyone train you for jobs that won't be there in five years? Gotta move to China if you want factory work. All other jobs are already filled by illegals. Maybe you should get yourself in school, pay attention, strive real hard for an IT job....nevermind.

[T Lady]

This is certainly an interesting development in the issues of politics, race, and employment. For once, they're not blaming the President for their woes.

...But what's really striking here is that there are many young people (in the demagraphics of the article) who are unwilling to take menial or entry-level positions (Fast Food, Janitorial-any position that may involve a degree of manual labor); instead, they are being spoon-fed (by people like Rev. Jackson) the idea that they are entitled to higher-paying positions, those that many in the corporate world have worked many years to earn. In other words, because the majority of our forefathers had to work in 'demeaning' entry-level positions, none of us should have to. America 'owes' it to us to give us better opportunities. Trust me, if any of these young men took the time to look in the classified section of the local papers (that is, if they can READ in the first place), there are plenty of vacancies waiting to be filled. All it takes is hard work and self-discipline and determination. You have to crawl before you can walk.

-Regards, T.

[Flashman_at_the_charge]

lol!