GEN SAC Jackson rallies Native Americans in ``Save the Dream'' crusade
Story-Date: 04:22 p.m. PST Saturday , October 25, 1997

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GEN SAC Jackson rallies Native Americans in "Save the Dream" crusade


By Ann Bancroft
Associated Press Writer


DAVIS, Calif. (AP) -- Comparing his "Save the Dream" crusade in California
with historic civil rights actions in southern states, the Rev. Jesse
Jackson said he'll mount a petition drive asking President Clinton
and the federal Department of Justice to restore civil rights protections
overturned by Proposition 209.

"No state has the right to undermine federal guarantees for civil rights,"
Jackson told a group of about 250 Native Americans and other supporters at
the tiny D-Q University in rural Yolo County.

He said that just as federal authorities were called to restore civil
rights in segregationist states, they should restore equal opportunity for
women and minorities in California. He said Proposition 209, the initiative
to ban consideration of race and gender in state hiring and college
admissions, undermines federal civil rights guarantees.

Jackson spent Saturday morning at the Indian-run community college, before
leading a march to another rally in Davis. He planned to visit churches and
rallies in Stockton and Modesto on Sunday, before the crusade's finale, a
march on the State Capitol Monday.

Jackson said Proposition 209 is just one of several "mean-spirited viruses"
alive in California that are threatening civil rights. On a ten-day swing
through the state, packed with rallies, marches and meetings with community
leaders, he is urging a "rainbow coalition" of women, Hispanics, Native
Americans, African Americans, Jews and gays to join forces and "build a
great public policy movement."

The movement, he said, should foster fair wages and working conditions,
universal health care, tribal sovereignty, better schools and fewer
juvenile inmates, as well as social justice for the poor.

Launching into familiar preacher's cadence, Jackson exhorted the crowd,
"Just as Moses marched from Egypt to Canaan, for a new public policy we
march! Just as Joshua marched around the walls of Jericho...just as Dr.
King marched to Alabama...today we march! We march for justice, and
fairness, and sovereignty!"

Then he led a group of several dozen supporters on a flat, dusty 11-mile
march to another rally in Davis. Tribal representatives said they hope that
joining forces with Jackson's organization will help them in their fight to
retain gaming rights and tribal sovereignty over Indian lands. For his
part, Jackson sought contributions, names for his database of supporters
and new registered voters among the crowd.

"He (Jackson) needs to build a coalition, and we're trying to put together
our tribes, because our issues over sovereignty are the same," said Henry
Duro, tribal representative of the wealthy San Manuel Band of Mission
Indians, based near San Bernardino. "I think we can be of mutual benefit."



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