OBV invited to Rev. Jackson’s global forum on race equality

This year marks the 30th Anniversary of Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.’s historic run for President of the United States. International, national and local political leaders and activists, including OBV, will meet to reflect on that momentous occasion and discuss where we go from here.

On June 28th for five days, Rainbow PUSH Coalition will be having their 43rd Annual International Convention in Chicago, starting with the Global Human Rights Forum followed by the Africa Investment Forum.

The timing of this convention also marks the historic 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act which was signed into law on July 2nd 1964. Other historic events took place around equality like the Brown V. Board of Education Supreme Court decision and the Democratic National Convention.

Speaking exclusively to OBV and The Voice about the forum, Reverend Jackson Snr. said,

It’s been 30 years since my first Rainbow presidential campaign, and 50 years since we won the Civil Rights Act of 1964. What is different today we have freedoms today, but have tools in our arsenal to advance our movement. We have more confidence now, we know we’ve never lost a battle that we fought, and never won unless we fought. We know that strong minds and determination, break strong chains."

He added,

This is a never ending movement that is needed now more than ever, as the flashpoints of economic inequality, poverty and racial injustice continue to manifest themselves.”

The convention will address those themes and try to answer the question: “Where do we go from here?” Activists from across the world will come together for the Global Human Rights Forum to reflect on the current status of various forms of discrimination in their respective countries. They will explore the different forms of human rights violations based on race, gender, ethnicity, religion and nationality.

Panelists include OBV’s Director Simon Woolley, Momodou Jallow, Vice President of the European Network Against Racism (Sweden), Paul Divakar, Founder of India’s National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (India), Ali Kabba, Executive Director United African Organization, Daniela Gomes, Activist (Brazil) and the panel will be moderated by Dr. Kurt Barling, Professor of Journalism, Middlesex University (London).

The Africa Investment Forum will follow, with speakers coming together to discuss and explore investment opportunities in various sectors in Africa. Speakers will also be looking at the possibility of several annual trade missions across the continent and also hosting an annual African Investment conference based in Africa.

Speakers will include Dr Mu’azu Babginda Aliyu, Chief servant of Niger State, Honorable Dr. Alfred Vanderpuije, Mayor of Accra, Ghana, Honorable Benson Fihla - Executive Mayor; Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa, Nigeria’s Former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Hon. Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas and Senator Rodney Ellis from Texas.

OBV’s Simon Woolley stated that:

Of course it is a great honour to be invited to this international conference spearheaded by civil right’s icon Reverend Jesse Jackson. I’m sure we will learn a great deal, and give our global brothers and sisters an insight to the challenges and the work we are doing here in the UK. Above all, it is about a solidarity of purpose between groups, individuals, organisations and countries. This pooling together of activists and campaigners is priceless."

For more information about 'A Quest for Peace and Equality' visit: Rainbow Push

Francine Fernandes