Renowned civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson spoke to a full house at the Islamic Center this past Sunday. In these trying times, especially in light of the recent attacks in Charlottesville, Reverend Jackson’s unwavering spirit and his firm belief in the power of unity left the room feeling renewed and hopeful. Addressing the crowd, Rev. Jackson stated, “We’re coming into a new generation of struggle. We should be building bridges, not walls, bringing people in to our teeming shores, not locking them out. Under Trump, Jesus wouldn’t be able to come into America.”  His electric presence, strengthened further by his decades-long commitment to fighting for justice, inspired the community. In a closing message to the crowd, Rev. Jackson reminded us that we are not alone in our struggle. We must all stand together to ensure liberty and justice for all. 

“We have a war inside this country, it’s the people against the white supremacists. But hope is always there. Hope and unity are what we need right now in this time of terror. We need to make the Statue of Liberty a sign of freedom again.” (Joseph Moreno)
 
In addition to Rev. Jackson, we had an incredible lineup of speakers and experts, all of whom embodied pure resilience and courage in the face of racism and bigotry. One speaker, twelve-year-old Joseph Moreno, particularly stood out. His wisdom speaks far beyond his years, and his genuine passion for justice and equality moved the audience to give him a standing ovation. “We have a war inside this country, it’s the people against the white supremacists. But hope is always there. Hope and unity are what we need right now in this time of terror. We need to make the Statue of Liberty a sign of freedom again.”
 
The clear messages of the day were unity and hope. Progress of all kinds – humanitarian, social, and political – will not be possible without either.