I hope Couch Potato Politics doesn't mind. I added video of Jackson's event in Jersey City, one of several across the state over 2 days. Economic injustice was the theme in Jersey City, protesting Citigroup's decision to lay off 276 New Jerseyans at their Englewood Cliffs subsidiary, just weeks after NJ offered another Citigroup subsidiary $12.3 million in tax breaks to relocate 400 jobs to JC from New York. Jersey City video & stills from both days, after the jump - Rosi
The Rev. Jesse Jackson appeared in Downtown Jersey City yesterday to protest Citigroup's decision to lay off 276 workers at a subsidiary in Englewood Cliffs.
The layoffs were announced in March, mere weeks after the state offered another Citigroup subsidiary, Citibank N.A., $12.3 million in tax breaks to relocate 400 jobs to Jersey City from New York.
A prouder moment in my life is hard to define but introducing my children to the Reverend Jesse Jackson yesterday rates as one of the most significant. Having a photo of my daughter standing with Jesse Jackson captured a moment I'll not soon forget.
Jesse Jackson has been a participant and witness in some of the most significant changes in our American society over the last 60 years. He walked with Dr. Martin Luther King to face the dogs, firehoses, Billy-clubs and white-sheeted hate mongers threatening, and for Dr. King, delivering death as a response to the march for freedom and equality for all Americans and the ability of public workers to have a voice in bargaining their working conditions and rights.
As we stood at the foot of the Trenton War Memorial steps and listened to Reverend Jackson talk to the threats being levied against workers' rights, the rights of the poor and middle class to equal access to quality education and healthcare, I recalled the old footage of Dr. King speaking to the people about equal rights and social justice. I reflected on the image of a much younger Jesse Jackson standing at his elbow, learning the lessons of leadership and sacrifice for others. In Jesse's words, I could hear the influence of Dr. King's spirit, 43 years after his assassination.
As we stood and listened to Reverend Jackson, I wondered if these moments would be the cement that my children use to fortify the foundation of their sense of social responsibility and self-sacrifice. I can only hope that they will someday tell their children about the day they met Jesse Jackson and teach to them the lessons that he and Dr. King taught to us.
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