Indy civil rights activist remembers MLK

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A near north side pastor sat down with 24-Hour News 8 to reflect on his time marching with Martin Luther King Jr.

Jackson said he attended King’s “I Have A Dream” speech, he marched with him in Memphis and Detroit, and he spoke to him, face to face, three times.

“He was a relatively small man with a heart the size of all outdoors and the courage of a lion,” Jackson said.

At Christian Love Missionary Baptist Church on the near north side, Jackson keeps a photo of himself side-by-side with King.

“Standing in the presence of King, I felt a presence that was different than anybody I ever met,” Jackson said. “It was charisma, I guess. But I think it was the power of the Holy Spirit that surrounded this man.”

He said King inspired him to become a pastor.

Upon hearing of King’s death, Jackson said he ‘went numb.’

“His death and the death of JFK struck me like nobody else’s death. It was just a shock wave through your whole system.”

Jackson offered his advice on the perfect way to celebrate MLK Jr. Day.

“To lift up the courage and commitment that this man demonstrated more so than, I guess, any human being that I ever met,” said Jackson.

Jackson, who was arrested during civil rights protests more times than he can count, said America has made progress since the civil rights movement.

According to Jackson, awareness to injustice has grown, but the goal is to eliminate racism and, Jackson said, we still have plenty of work.