Rev. Jesse Jackso on speaks at NIU

By Gretchyn Lenger

The Rev. Jesse Jackson will be at NIU Saturday to discuss issues related to Black History Month and his views on world peace.

Jackson, who ran against Walter Mondale in the 1984 Democratic presidential primary elections, is the founder of People United to Save Humanity (PUSH), a civil rights economic organization, and the president of the National Rainbow Coalition.

The presentation is sponsored by the Campus Activities Board Speakers Committee, the Student Association, the NIU/DeKalb County Freeze Campaign, the Black Student Union, the Minority Graduate Student Association and SA Minority Relations.

eputed for his outspoken views on matters of social injustice and peace, Jackson is expected to deliver “roughly the same speech as he usually gives,” according to Bill Mellman, Speakers Committee and Freeze Campaign representative.

Liz Johnson, Freeze Campaign faculty adviser, said campaign members sent a letter to Jackson requesting his appearance at NIU while the BSU also was attempting to contact him.

Johnson said campaign members wanted Jackson to speak because “he has been a really good Freeze supporter,” more so than any other 1984 presidential candidate. She added, “He holds leaders responsible for what’s going on in the world.”

SA President Jim Fischer said he found out about Jackson’s appearance from Pam Bozeman, BSU president, who, according to Fischer, “has been working on this for a while.”

Vice president for Student Affairs, Jon Dalton, said he has spoken to university security to make sure they are aware of Jackson’s visit, and he said they will make any precautionary arrangements.

Johnson said Jackson usually brings his own security, meaning one or two bodyguards. Mellman said there will be special protection available but it will be “nothing exceptional.”