France honours Rev. Jesse Jackson with the Legion d'Honneur
French President Emmanuel Macron poses with veteran American civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson after awarding him with the Legion of Honour at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, July 19, 2021. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS
French president Emmanuel Macron on Monday awarded U.S. civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson the Legion d'Honneur, one of France's highest honours, in recognition of what he called "a long walk towards emancipation and justice".
A political activist, minister, and former shadow U.S. senator for the District of Columbia representing the Democratic party, Jackson has been involved in civil rights activism since the 1960s, when he worked alongside Martin Luther King.
Jackson, 79, was appointed commander of the Legion d'Honneur, one of the highest ranks in the distinction.
Veteran American civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson looks on after being awarded with the Legion of Honour by French President at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, July 19, 2021. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS
"From your earliest years, you were hungry for knowledge and justice, and you are a special friend of France, a brother for us," Macron said in a solemn address at the Elysee palace.
(Reporting by Reuters Television; Writing by Matthias Blamont; Editing by Alex Richardson)
French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with veteran American civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson as he awards him with the Legion of Honour at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, July 19, 2021. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERSFILE PHOTO: Civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson addresses the audience during the Presidential candidate forum at the annual convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., July 24, 2019. REUTERS/Rebecca CookFrench President Emmanuel Macron awards veteran American civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson with the Legion of Honour at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, July 19, 2021. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS
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