Rand Paul should apologize for holding up anti-lynching bill, Jesse Jackson says – By Ben Tobin (Louisville Courier Journal) / June 5 2020
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Rev. Jesse Jackson says Kentucky U.S. Sen. Rand Paul should apologize for holding up an anti-lynching bill in the U.S. Senate over an amendment.
Jackson, a civil rights leader and former Democratic presidential candidate, told The Courier Journal on Friday that Paul has “misread the times” as protesters across the nation demand that lynching be made a federal hate crime.
Paul’s amendment, which has been criticized by several senators, would set a stricter definition for what should be prosecuted as a lynching. Between 1877 and 1934, lynchings of at least 186 African Americans took place in Kentucky.
“Lynching is a form of terrorism that has populated the South and has brought shame upon the face of America,” Jackson said. “And so, we hope that Mr. Paul will support the anti-lynching bill and the president will sign it.”
He added that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell should use his power to advance the bill.
Continue to article: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2020/06/05/louisville-protests-jesse-jackson-slams-rand-paul-over-lynching-bill/3158176001/