Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks in OKC about voter suppression and equality

by Ken Townsend
Sr. editor

Reverend Jesse Jackson spoke to a mostly full crowd at the St. John’s Baptist Church in Oklahoma City Thursday on a variety of topics mostly concerning the recent attempts by the Republican Party to suppress voter registration and therefore, voter turnout by the poor, the elderly, and minorities in the upcoming presidential elections.

Jackson discussed voter purges, elimination of early voting, and the requirement of state or federal issued I.D.’s with an expiration date and how this will affect millions of voters in the swing states of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida.  The majority of these votes were expected to go to President Obama.

Jackson told the audience although this attempt to reverse the gains made in civil rights is serious and frightening there are countermeasures available.  There are many organizations in many states working to help re-register voters and make sure everyone has the opportunity to vote, regardless for whom they are voting.  He pointed out this is a civil rights issue for everyone, African-Americans, Hispanics, women, the elderly, the LGBT community, etc.  Everyone will be affected if the gains of the last 50 years are lost.  Jackson stated, “What affects one of us, affects all of us, regardless of your race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.”

The audience was asked to raise their hands if anyone had attended a wedding of a same sex couple.  Two people raised their hands.  Jackson said, “It doesn’t matter whether or not you agree with same sex marriage.  If you don’t want same sex marriage, don’t have one.”  The audience responded with laughter.  He pointed out that individual issues were secondary to the overall need to stand together and resist the attempts to take away the civil rights of the whole.  From the beginning Jackson has backed President Obama’s position in support of gay marriage.

In the Q & A session following the remarks of Jackson and Sen. Connie Johnson, D-Oklahoma City, Nathaniel Batchelder, Director of The Peace House in Oklahoma City, reminded the audience that Oklahoma has a state question (SQ 759) on the November ballot creating a constitutional amendment that will dismantle affirmative action in Oklahoma.  He went on further to say that a meeting is set for Sept. 20 for opponents to meet and discuss this issue.  Details will be posted later on the Gayly website.