The Free Press -- Independent News Media

Sat Sep 06 2008

Dispatches from the Front

Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and the Citizenship Education Fund focus on "A More Perfect Union" with liberty, justice for all
by RainbowPUSH
May 18, 2005

CHICAGO (April 18, 2005) – Addressing some of the most controversial but relevant issues in America – from the renewal of the Voting Rights Act to the failure of college sports programs to graduate their players – the RainbowPUSH Coalition and the Citizenship Education Fund also echo the nation's Founding Fathers and look to more recent historical giants in the 34th Annual Conference, “A More Perfect Union: Building on the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Lyndon B. Johnson.” The conference, an event where the RainbowPUSH seeks to take action on many of the key issues it addresses during the year, will be held June 11 through 16, 2005, at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, 301 E. Water St. in downtown Chicago.

A stellar array of guests scheduled to appear during the conference includes, from the political arena, Senators Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Barack Obama (D-IL) and Congresswoman Maxine Waters D-Calif.); and from the religious, entertainment and business arenas, Nation of Islam Leader Minister Louis Farrakhan, activist and entertainer Harry Belafonte; and prominent business executives Cathy Hughes and Earl Graves.

Harvard University Professor Dr. Charles Ogletree, University of Pennsylvania’s outstanding scholar Michael Eric Dyson and television's Judge Greg Mathis (chair of the PUSH/Excel board) have also agreed to participate in discussions and programs during the conference. Performers invited to appear in a hip-hop showcase on Wednesday evening, June 15, include Marques Houston, the popular television and film actor who is also a top R&B singer. A Monday evening tribute to Chicago's legendary Herb Kent, the Cool Gent, will also feature Chicago-style stepping dance lessons for all.

Panels and discussions during the conference will explore issues including voting rights, labor organizing in a hostile climate, access for all to quality healthcare and education, and fair business opportunities for people of color. Daily themes of the conference are: Sunday, The Federally Protected Right to Vote; Monday, Labor Day: The Right to Organize; Tuesday, The Right to Healthcare of Equal High Quality; Wednesday, Business Day: Access to Capital; and Thursday, The Right to Education of Equal High Quality.

The conference officially opens on Saturday, June 11, which is designated Reunion Day and features an afternoon picnic at the Rainbow/PUSH headquarters, and evening social.

With the conference highlighting renewal of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, Sunday’s focus on protecting and preserving the franchise takes on special importance, said Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., founder and president of the RainbowPUSH Coalition. "As we look to the renewal of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, protecting the fragile rights we hold dear, we acknowledge the courageous leadership of two men who led this nation to that landmark legislation as part of a grand vision of a better America -- one that would truly be the land of opportunity for all," Rev. Jesse L. Jackson said.

Starting on Monday, June 13, all sessions, official meals and banquets, and socials will be held at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers.

The RainbowPUSH Coalition is a progressive organization protecting, defending and expanding civil rights to improve economic and educational opportunity. The organization is headquartered at 930 E. 50th St. in Chicago. For more information about the RainbowPUSH Coalition, please visit the organization’s website, www.rainbowpush.org, or telephone (773) 373-3366. To schedule an interview with Rev. Jackson on this topic, please call one of the numbers listed above.

Email this article to a friend

Dispatches

  "Civil rights icon coming to Columbus"
     Stephanie Calondis
     December 3, 2005

  "Wal-marting and wealth"
     Bob Fitrakis
     November 15, 2005

  "A Call to Protect and Democratize U.S. Elections: A Panel"
     Kathy Dopp
     September 11, 2005

  "Bring our soldiers home now!"
     Paddy Shaffer
     September 11, 2005

  "Freep 35th anniversary book"
     Free Press staff
     September 8, 2005

  "Linking anti-war and global justice protests"
     Free Press staff
     September 8, 2005

  "Offsite radiation at Piketon site confirmed"
     Patricia A. Marida, Chair, Central Ohio Sierra Club
     September 8, 2005

  "Radon emissions suggest possible illegal weapons research"
     Free Press staff
     September 8, 2005

  "PORTS history and existing clean-up effort"
     Free Press staff
     September 8, 2005

  "Proposal for a new plant at Piketon"
     Free Press staff
     September 8, 2005

  "Commission rules against ancient Ohio forest: Coal mining allowed under and adjacent to Dysart Woods"
     Richard Sahli
     July 20, 2005

  "Bush greeted by angry protesters, Democrats told to "Get a Spine""
     Rady Anada
     July 20, 2005

  "OSU police costs don't stop another beautiful Hempfest"
     Sarah Clark
     July 20, 2005

  "New Book: Did George W. Bush Steal America's 2004 Election?: Essential Documents"
     Free Press staff
     June 8, 2005

  "Bob Fitrakis on tour with book exposing Ohio election fraud"
     Free Press staff
     May 28, 2005

  "Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and the Citizenship Education Fund focus on "A More Perfect Union" with liberty, justice for all"
     RainbowPUSH
     May 18, 2005

  "Report from National Conference for Media Reform"
     Richard James
     May 16, 2005

  "With Voinovich still undecided, key global security groups organize a campus debate on John Bolton"
     Ryan Spaeth, 20/20 Vision
     May 10, 2005

  "Citizens' Alliance for Secure Elections teach-in"
     CASE Ohio
     April 21, 2005

  "Vanity Fair reveals unfair election"
     Free Press staff
     March 21, 2005

  "Trash plant finally trashed"
     Free Press staff
     March 21, 2005

  "Gay marriage at the Franklin County Courthouse on Valentine’s Day "
     Free Press staff
     March 21, 2005

  "Bill Barndt is 90!"
     Suzanne Patzer
     March 21, 2005

  "Teach-ins on the 2004 Election Fraud and Electoral Reform"
     Citizens Act
     February 21, 2005

  "Live from the Protest at Petro's Office"
     Paddy Shaffer
     January 24, 2005

  "Unite for Peace and Justice "
     Mark Stansbury
     January 23, 2005

  "March for Equality during Holiday Hop"
     Elizabeth Nolan Brown
     January 23, 2005

  "Election notes: Life is the only right. Nothing else counts "
     Marley Greiner
     January 23, 2005

  "A new movement, a new day…"
     Brad Friedman
     January 23, 2005

Read Articles by Year:
2001 2002 2003
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008