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A Formidable Activist: Jesse Jackson
August 22, 2015 @ 8:15 pm - 9:15 pm
The Global Justice Academy is delighted to host the Reverend Jesse Jackson at this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival.
Jesse Jackson is one of the most formidable civil rights activists and personalities of the twentieth century. He worked alongside Dr Martin Luther King Jr., founded PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) in 1971, and sought the Democratic candidacy for the White House twice. In his 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns, Jackson won 16 state contests and millions of votes, making him the first viable African-American candidate for president. In recent years, he has specialised in diplomacy, negotiating with Fidel Castro, Saddam Hussein, and Slobodan Milosevic.
Not strictly part of the PSRP, we nonetheless think we have something useful to learn from Jesse Jackson’s activism for equality and justice and his international involvement in peace negotiations. Plus, programme director Christine Bell has the delightful task of presenting Jesse Jackson for an honorary degree at the end of the night! We are delighted to partner with the book festival in this event, particularly as they are having a wonderfully pro-human rights season this year with the inauguration of the PEN HG Wells lecture – and an astounding lecture by novelist Ali Smith.
Click here for further details from the Book Festival website
*Tickets for this event are now sold out*
