1-on-1 with civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson on George Floyd’s death
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Thursday, civil rights icon the Rev. Jesse Jackson arrived in the Twin Cities because of the death of George Floyd.
He gathered with local faith leaders at a Minneapolis church in the afternoon, but earlier he sat down one-on-one with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS to talk about Floyd’s death and the impact.
"The whole world is watching Minneapolis today," Jackson said.
When asked about what he has to say to people who want to know when and how incidents such as Floyd’s don’t happen again, Jackson said, "It may require a boycott until the powers that be set new standards."
When asked about how people of all races, ethnicities and religions can move forward, he said: "The innocent can be killed. They can be crucified. Be alert. My concern now is you’re dealing with two killers. You’re dealing with Code Blue Police, and COVID-19, the coronavirus."
Protesters peacefully gather Thursday near Jesse Jackson after George Floyd's death in Minneapolis.[KSTP/Jim O'Connell]
As people protest Floyd’s death, Jackson is urging the community to be peaceful and safe and protest with distance.
Floyd’s death is the latest high-profile incident involving police officers in recent years.
"It’s the same but my reaction is different … At some point, people say enough is enough," Jackson said.
The reverend gathered with other faith leaders and activists — many of them young leaders — at Greater Friendship Missionary in Minneapolis in prayer.
"We lift up the Floyd family, his name and his children, his brothers and his sisters, his parents, we lift them up to you now," various faith leaders said.
Local leaders joined Jackson calling for people of all races, ethnicities and beliefs to stand together for equality.
PHOTOS: Peaceful protests continue Thursday after George Floyd’s death
VJ Smith, president of MAD DADS, asked Jackson during the public gathering in the church, "What’s the best way for us to deal with this?"
"Peace, presence and justice," Jackson said.
The people there echoed his words.
Jackson spent time at the memorial where Floyd died in south Minneapolis near 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, laying down a sign with the words: "Cowards kill the unarmed."
When asked what kind of emotion he feels because of the death of George Floyd, Jackson said, "Angry and hurt. They killed an innocent man. Choked him to death on live television. It’s embarrassing for whites and it’s humiliating for blacks."
Jackson said he’s praying for justice. He said he wants to see all four police officers involved charged with murder. Thursday, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office announced it’s not ready to make a decision on any potential charges at this time.