Rev. Jess Jackson celebrates 25th anniversary of Operation PUSH

Jet, Oct 7, 1996

With the theme Opening New Doors," Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of Operation PUSH at a four-day convention in Chicago.

Rev. Jackson, the founder and president of Operation PUSH, delivery the President's Address at the Business-political Luncheon in the Palmer House Hilton and outlined plans for PUSH's, next 25 years and beyond.

Jackson was introduced by his son, Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., who praised him as a civil rights leader who has "remained steadfast in his commitment" to "change the conditions of ordinary working people in our nation and around the world."

Congressman Jackson said, "I am proud on this occasion to introduce him, and I am even more proud and glad that I have the privilege to call him Dad."

In his fiery keynote address, Jackson Sr. said PUSH is opening new doors by merging with the National Rainbow Coalition to form the new organization Rainbow/push Action Network.

"I am proud of Operation PUSH, still alive, still fighting, still serving humanity after a quarter of a century proud of the National Rainbow Coalition, now merged with PUSH, and still the cutting edge for social change, still a drum major for justice."

Jackson founded the Rainbow Coalition in 1994 as a political organization based in Washington, D.C. He founded PUSH (People United To Serve Humanity) in 1971 in Chicago. The new organization will be based in Chicago and will have a Washington, D.C., bureau.

There will be chapters throughout the country as well as in Japan. Rev. Jackson recently led a delegation o Japan in the wake of a lawsuit which charges that the management of the Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America, Inc., a Normal IL-based subsidiary of the Japanese auto maker, tolerated sexual harassment of female workers.

Jackson told the audience at the Business/Political Luncheon, "We've got big plans for the coming year and years. The Rainbow/PUSH Action Net, work is going to boycott, negotiate, vote and march our way to a better Chicago, a better Illinois, a better America."

Speaking at a press conference several days before the recent convention, Jackson said, "PUSH's basic thrust has been economic opportunity... Rainbow's basic thrust has been political opportunity and equity. And since there's such a connection between political empowerment and coalition building and economic empowerment and expansion, we are pulling these two organizations together so as to be more efficient and more effective."

Jackson said during his President's address, "The oppressed are often asked by the powers that be: What do you want? The oppressed are often forced to reply. We have no road map."

He added, "The Rainbow/PUSH Action Network has a road map - we want one big-tent America - a big tent in which we all fit in. We demand the protections of that tent, and we will accept the responsibilities and privileges. We demand equal protection under the law, equal opportunity equal access. Parity is our goal," he stressed.

Looking ahead to the November election, Rev. Jackson said in his prepared speech, "In 1996, Bill Clinton is our best option. The cross is on his shoulders. But burdens shared are easier to bear. We, the people, must organize and mobilize to help the President provide a better answer for America."

In a statement outlining the goals of the convention, Jackson said, "Our theme "opening New Doors,' does not mean that we have walked through and closed the traditional ones that kept us locked out for so long. It simply ply means we will expand our efforts forts to eradicate the high tech way the new generations of Bull Conners and Govenor Wallaces stand in the doorway to block our entry into full economic and political participation."

Jackson noted, "redistricting, Supreme Court ruling, red-lining and disenfranchisement are only some of the tools that have replaced the dogs, water hoses and billy clubs of the Old South."

Among the many highlights and participants of the convention were famed attorney Johnnie L. Cochran Jr., who was the keynote speaker at the Rainbow/PUSH Saturday Morning Forum, which concluded the convention and attracted more than 1,000 PUSH supporters.

Cochran will chair the Rainbow/ PUSH Commission for Fairness in Criminal Justice, which will launch an investigation of the CIA's alleged involvement in crack cocaine trade in the '80s. Angela Jordan Davis, chairman of the board, National Rainbow Coalition, will co-chair the commission.

Other highlights included noted law professor and attorney Lani Guinier, who addressed the women's luncheon.

Entertainment was provided during the convention by famed songstress Oleta Adams, who performed at the Sterling Silver Anniversary Celebration' concert. Gospel singing star John P. Kee, as well as The Rev. Clay Evans & AARC Choir, performed an inspirational concert.