Jessie Jackson, founder and president of the National Rainbow Coalition and Operation PUSH held a rally Wednesday before a crowd of supporters of education and lending equality outside the steps of the state capitol.
Reverend Jackson came to Baton Rouge to testify before the Louisiana State Senate on behalf of State Senator Cleo Fields’s (Baton Rouge-D) Bill #107, a bill which proposes regulation and monitoring of lending practices for minorities.
“Most of the people who are given high interest rates on mortgages are people who are disabled, poor, people of color-minorities and it is not fair,” said Rev. Shelton Dixon, president of the Louisiana chapter of the Rainbow Coalition.
Surrounded by community leaders such as Fields and Dixon, Jackson opened his speech with his “I Am Somebody” battlecry.
“Up with hope, down with dope,” Jackson repeated as he opened his sermon to the masses huddled on the steps of the capitol building below him. “Keep hope alive…”
As Jackson eased into the point of his visit, he stated that Blacks as a whole should not assume that they have received all rights that they are afforded, especially when it came to public education.
“We can’t say that since the Civil Rights Era back in the day, that the struggle is over,” said Jackson. “The struggle is not over…The field is not even in public education. The idea of vouchers for a few just isn’t fair…The field is just not even.”
Although the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has stated that actions were being taken against predatory lending since the spring of 1999, Jackson stated that the agency was not doing enough to promote equality in lending.
“There is simply not enough being done,” said Jackson. “Lenders are overcharging seniors, those who are blind, disabled and minorities.”
Many in the crowd shouted and praised the minister as he spoke. Others held signs in favor of equality in public education.
Baton Rouge native Jacqueline Raon-Newman agreed with the words of Jackson, however, she felt that enough had not been done for public education.
“I really enjoyed what Rev. Jackson had to say today, I think he said some inspiring words,” said Newman. “But action speaks louder than words. He’s here for equality for Blacks, women, equal lending and public education, but we haven’t seen nothing. It’s great to talk, but we need action.”
Jackson said that he would continue his plight across cities throughout the southern U.S.
