Jesse: Stop guns coming in to Birmingham

Aug 24 2007 By Paul Bradley, Birmingham Mail

SEE a video news report of Jesse Jackson's visit to Birmingham below and scroll down to read more about what he had to say about the growing problem of guns on the street.

AMERICAN black civil rights activist the Reverend Jesse Jackson today demanded the flow of guns into Birmingham must be stopped.

And in a candid interview with the Birmingham Mail he said more black people should be in power at the hub of our city.

Visiting members of the black community at the ICC and Cannon Street Baptist Church in Handsworth, the most important black leader in America hit out at communities rife with guns and drugs.

Mr Jackson, whose visit coincided with the International Day of Remembrance for Slavery, said: "Jobs and investment going out and guns and drugs coming in is a lethal combination.

"Guns are not made in the city or bought in the city. Drugs are not grown here either. We must stop the flow of guns.

"This destructive cycle must be stopped. Our children need role models and these must be working educated parents. These people are the real heroes of our future. Parents need to send their children to school, switch off the television, take their children to churches, temples and synagogues and sign their report cards.

"Black people must move out of the margins and into a position of leverage."

Addressing more than 200 people from black communities across the city at the ICC, he told them how they needed to use their power to 'change the make up of the country'.

The Rev Jackson, who started his career as the right hand man to Dr Martin Luther King in the 1960s, said: "The slave trade was abolished but we are still fighting slavery and exploitation in our cities. At the moment we are unrepresented in the positions of power and influence.

"We need more black people in local government in cities like Birmingham and people of colour must use their political strength to get more equality.

"The only way we will make this happen is if we take affirmative action now."

Coun Alan Rudge, Birmingham City Council cabinet member for human resources and equality, said: "I don't agree with positive discrimination but I do agree people should be put in a positive position to start with."