Jackson called for equality for black Americans, and emphasized the importance of an open dialogue in order to achieve that goal. “Our strongest weapon is not guns and violence; it is the rightness of our cause,” he said.

“Pain abounded, but hope must abound even more,” he said of Sterling’s death. “The best can be ahead of us. This is a transformative moment. We must choose reconciliation and retaliation over revenge.”

“We must not see the moral high ground for violence; we must heal the breach,” said Jackson.

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