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College Democrats to host Town Hall with Rev. Jesse Jackson

September 14, 2017

Rev. Jesse Jackson

The Roanoke College Democrats, a student organization, will host a public town hall with the Rev. Jesse Jackson on Monday, Sept. 18 at noon in the Bast Center.

Jackson, an American civil rights leader, Baptist minister and politician, is on a "Healing and Rebuilding" bus tour around Virginia. The town hall, which will focus on health care and voter rights, will be moderated by Del. Sam Rasoul, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates representing the 11th district. Rasoul graduated from Roanoke College in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in business administration.

Jackson, founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) Coalition, is one of America's foremost civil rights, religious and political figures. For decades, he has played a pivotal role in virtually every movement for empowerment, peace, civil rights, gender equality, and economic and social justice. On August 9, 2000, President Bill Clinton awarded Jackson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

Limited tickets for special student floor seating will be available at the Colket Info Desk. Monday's town hall is open to the public. Complimentary general admission tickets, limited to two per person, can be obtained at this link:  http://bit.ly/2y9CZkm.  

As an educational institution, Roanoke College has a long history of presenting events to the Roanoke Valley community with an emphasis on civil discourse. This event, sponsored by a student organization, offers the opportunity for students and the larger community to hear directly from a national-level speaker. Roanoke College supports and values freedom of expression and freedom of speech.

Roanoke College is open to hosting speakers of a variety of viewpoints and welcomes visits by leaders and candidates from across the political spectrum. An appearance on campus should not be interpreted as a College endorsement of a particular candidate or position.  

Some logistics: ·        

  • Limited tickets for special student floor seating will be available at the Colket Info Desk.     
  • The Roanoke College community and the public will be given access to complimentary general admission tickets, which may be reserved or obtained at this link http://bit.ly/2y9CZkm. Tickets are limited so if you want to attend, reserve and print your tickets now.
  • Because of preparation work and security, access to the Bast Center may be limited on Monday.

At the event:

Tickets are required. If you have electronic tickets, print them out. Doors open at 11 am.

  • Bags will be searched.
  • No weapons.
  • No large signs.
  • Campus community should enter Bast from the Back Quad entrance.
  • General public should enter Bast from the entrance on Market Street. Arrive early to find parking, as this is a busy time of day on campus. Parking is also available at the Salem Farmer's Market, which is about a block from Bast.