CHICAGO, June 11 (UPI) -- The Rainbow/PUSH Coalition began its national conference in Chicago with a call for increased efforts from activists, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Sunday.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson led the charge, inspired by a conservative-heavy U.S. Supreme Court and two impending cases with racial implications, the Sun-Times said.
The Supreme Court will soon hear appeals from parents in Seattle and Louisville, Ky. Both cities have voluntary integration measures in place to limit the number of black or white students who can enroll in certain schools.
If those measures are outlawed, the coalition argues that certain students will be unfairly denied opportunities, the newspaper reported. "If race becomes an illegitimate discussion, racial justice becomes illegal," Jackson said in a speech.
Other issues facing the conference include what participants believe is low funding and attention to federal civil rights enforcement by the Justice Department, and the recent New Orleans mayoral election during which government officials refused to accommodate displaced black voters, the newspaper said.
The conference continues through Thursday and members plan to draft a 10-point civil rights agenda.
