Chokwe Lumumba, ex-black nationalist, wins Jackson mayor’s race
June 6, 2013 in News, Statewide News, Top Stories
JACKSON – (AP) A Mississippi attorney and one-time civil rights activist who was involved in a black nationalist group decades ago has been elected mayor of Jackson, the state capital.
The Clarion-Ledger reported late Tuesday that Jackson City Councilman Chokwe Lumumba was elected mayor, receiving about 85 percent of the vote against three independent candidates.
He will succeed Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr., who finished third in this year’s Democratic primary.
Lumumba ran as a mainstream candidate who would represent all city voters. He defeated businessman Jonathan Lee in the Democratic primary runoff last month.
He wrote on Facebook Tuesday night, “Thank you, Jackson. None of this would be possible without faith and your support.”
He went on to say, “This is the people’s victory. Together we will make Jackson rise!”
thank GOD you Black jacksonians has finally woken up. now continue to show real leadership. from an regretful ex-indianolain Mississippian. loved that place.circumstances made me have to leave.
I have reported on Chokwe’s historic campaign several times for Pacifica Radio KPFA-Berkeley and WBAI-New York City. The peace and social justice community all over the country is now looking to Jackson for inspiration.
Why would anyone support this? It’s certain destruction. Here’s a list of a few primarily black populated countries: Grenada, Congo, Haiti, Sudan, Zambia, Benin, Gambia, and Bahamas. Of all these only the Bahamas has proved to have a successful and productive business model, why? Tourism and primarily white run businesses. Kerzner Atlantis Resort produces the largest income on the isle (Russian owner), the rest that are successful include Breezes/Sandals/ and multiple other white run hotels and casinos. It’s beyond me why he feels they would be any different. I only see a future of corruption/crime and various grants and financial tunneling into this city. I’m tired of carrying the weight just so everyone can feel good about themselves. Wake up America.
Thanks for the reminder that outright racism is alive and well.