Macron assigns the Légion d'honneur to Reverend Jesse Jackson

(ANSA) - PARIS, JUL 19 - Emmanuel Macron today awarded the title of 'Commandeur de la Légion d'honneur', the highest recognition of France, to Reverend Jesse Jackson, "tireless defender" of the American black community and of the values ​​of "justice and diversity". "The values ​​for which you are struck are the same as those of the French Republic"; the French president declared in his solemn address to the Elysée, defining Jackson as "our brother". Thus the expression of his "great joy" in delivering the Legiond'Onore the Legion of Honor to the 79-year-old reverend. For his part, Jackson is said to be "very grateful to receive such a prestigious honor from a great and beloved nation like France," a statement read.Before the ceremony, in the Elysée Festival Hall, where about a hundred people were gathered, including four of Jackson's five children, friends and relatives from the United States, Macron and his guest had had a private one-on-one meeting. Among those present, also the former Minister of Justice, Christiane Taubira and the former Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, current president of the Foundation for the Memory of Slavery. In his speech, Macron praised, among other things, Jesse Jackson's "soul and body" commitment for "over half a century" to "civil rights", in particular, alongside Martin Luther King, who was murdered in 1968. (HANDLE).friends and relatives from the United States, Macron and his guest had had a private one-on-one meeting. Among those present, also the former Minister of Justice, Christiane Taubira and the former Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, current president of the Foundation for the Memory of Slavery. In his speech, Macron praised, among other things, Jesse Jackson's "soul and body" commitment for "over half a century" to "civil rights", in particular, alongside Martin Luther King, who was murdered in 1968. (HANDLE).friends and relatives from the United States, Macron and his guest had had a private one-on-one meeting. Among those present, also the former Minister of Justice, Christiane Taubira and the former Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, current president of the Foundation for the Memory of Slavery. In his speech, Macron praised, among other things, Jesse Jackson's "soul and body" commitment for "over half a century" to "civil rights", in particular, alongside Martin Luther King, who was murdered in 1968. (HANDLE).current president of the Foundation for the Memory of Slavery. In his speech, Macron praised, among other things, Jesse Jackson's "soul and body" commitment for "over half a century" to "civil rights", in particular, alongside Martin Luther King, who was murdered in 1968. (HANDLE).current president of the Foundation for the Memory of Slavery. In his speech, Macron praised, among other things, Jesse Jackson's "soul and body" commitment for "over half a century" to "civil rights", in particular, alongside Martin Luther King, who was murdered in 1968. (HANDLE).