Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday made the leader of American civil rights Jesse Jackson a Commander of the Legion of Honor, the highest French award, for helping “change the destiny of the United States’ and with it, the world.
Jackson, 79, who underwent bile surgery This year and was being treated for Parkinson’s disease, had seen the difficulty of walking.
The founder of Rainbow / Push Coalition and two US presidential candidates sitting next to the podium as Macron spoke at the ceremony in Paris.
“He is visionary with talent to unite and lead people, who courage His moral and physique have helped to overcome the difficulties and change the destiny of the United States, our oldest allies, and to change our world to be better, “said Macron at the meeting at the Presidential Palace Elysee.
Speaking in English, French President called Jackson “France’s good friend” and “very popular in our country, but not only in our country.
“Macron tells Jackson’s life, from his childhood in his work together with his work Martin Luther King Jr.
and activism in Chicago.
After making a red ribbon with a medal around Jackson’s neck.
Macron grasped his hand in the middle of applause from a small audience invited.
Jackson did not make any comments during the ceremony.
Leaders of civil rights remain active despite their health problems.
He has advocated vaccination against Covid-19 in the black community with an inoculation level below the average.
Through the Chicago-based rainbow / encouragement, the 1984 and 1988 candidates for the nomination of the Democratic president also continued to advocate for voting rights.
Last month, Jackson he was arrested and was ticketed because he blocked traffic during the demonstration of voting rights near the Capitol As.Macron described the world “institutionalized inequalities ” that Jackson grew up and who formed his future as a leader of civil rights.
He told Jackson’s bid failed For the presidency and said, “You paved the way for those who came after.
“Referring to the election of Barack Obama as the first black president in the United States, the French leader insists that” 2008 certainly impossible without your fight and your contribution.
“Macron also tells” a lesser-known story that you have never searched for credit, ‘ ‘The role of Jackson 1990 in freeing the French hostage.
During the first Gulf War, citizens from several countries tried to stop Kuwait’s invasion held hostage by Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
Macron said Jackson negotiated the liberation of French citizens “and thanks to you, they safely returned to their family.” “You are a brother for us,” said Macron.