Rev. Jesse Jackson Confronts White Supremacists In Wallingford, CT, Opposed To Statewide Law Ordering Observance Of Martin Luther King Day

Jet, May 15, 2000

Jesse Jackson said his confrontation with a White supremacist group opposed to the town observing the Martin Luther King holiday shows there is "unfinished business" in the struggle for civil rights.

Jackson came to Wallingford to applaud a new state law that forces the town to observe King Day. Wallingford has been the only town in the state to keep offices open on the holiday.

A group of about 10 people waving Confederate flags showed up to protest Jackson's visit.

"Those who are waving these flags show us there is unfinished business," said Jackson, who offered to shake hands with and tried to lift the hood of one man who was dressed in Ku Klux Klan garb. Both gestures were rebuffed.

"It's time for sheets to be worn on a bed and not to hide a person's face," Jackson said.

The confrontation occurred before Jackson attended a church service and led a march of over 500 people to town hall for a rally.

The state Senate gave final approval to the King Day bill and Gov. John Rowland signed it.

Wallingford Mayor William Dickinson has said the controversy is not about race but a dispute with the town's labor unions. He wants town workers to swap another holiday for King Day.

The mayor said he would comply with the law and hoped the stale mate with town workers will be resolved before the holiday next January.

"I haven't dragged my feet at all. We've offered a fair exchange of holidays," Dickinson said.

But union leaders insist workers should get the day off as an extra paid holiday.

"It's important to make bigots feel uncomfortable in Wallingford and everywhere else," said Democratic state Rep. Mary Mushinsky. "And it's important that my hometown Wallingford reiterates that we are a town that thrives on diversity."