FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, July 26, 2021

 Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. arrested, 30 others for asking Sen. Krysten Sinema to oppose filibuster

Chicago, IL – Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. was arrested along with 30 others Monday, July 26^th, outside of the office of Senator Krysten Sinema, a Democrat, who opposes the abolition of the filibuster, and charged with third degree misdemeanor and trespassing on private property.

Arrested along with Rev. Jackson were:  Rev. Dr. William Barber, who heads the Repairers of the Breach and co-chairs the Poor Peoples Campaign, Attorney Barbara Arnwine, president/founder of the Transformative Justice Coalition, her chairman, attorney Daryl Jones, and 26 others. 
“Rev. Jackson and those arrested were engaging in demonstrations which may result in civil disobedience outside of the office of Sen. Sinema and other senators later this week in Texas,” said Rev. Janette Wilson, senior adviser to Rev. Jackson. “He was charged with third degree misdemeanor and trespassing on private property.”

“The purpose of these demonstrations is to highlight the need for the Senate to join the House in passing H.R.1/S.1 and H.R.4, “For the People Act” better known as the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act,” said Rev. Wilson.

Rev. Jackson is pushing for passage of the “For the People Act” that expands, not restricts voting rights. However, Republicans blocked the bill with a filibuster on June 22, 2021. It failed to secure the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture after a party-line vote of 50-50. Rev. Jackson is vowing to carry his fight for the passage of the civil rights bills to Texas later this week.

Media contacts:
Frank Watkins
202.744.6061
Chinta Strausberg
[email protected]
312.371.7730

Alanna Ford
[email protected]
773.575.1945

Rainbow PUSH Coalition is a multi-racial, multi-issue, progressive, international organization that was formed in December 1996 by the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. through merging of two organizations he founded Operation PUSH People United to Serve Humanity (estab. 1971) and the Rainbow Coalition (estab. 1984). With headquarters in Chicago and offices in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and Oakland, the organization works to make the American Dream a reality for all citizens while advocating for peace and justice around the world. RPC is dedicated to improving the lives of all people by serving as a voice for the voiceless. Its mission is to protect, defend and gain civil rights by leveling the economic and educational playing fields while promoting peace and justice around the world.