Jackson Caps ‘Rebuild America’ March, Calls for Special Summits

HARTFORD, Conn. —  The Rev. Jesse Jackson led a half-mile-long procession of several thousand supporters to the state Capitol on Saturday, capping a 64-mile, seven-day march to call attention to America’s social problems.

Marchers chanted Jackson’s credo, “Rebuild America--keep hope alive.” Some carried signs reading “Tax the Rich,” “Thanks Mr. Bush for Neglecting Me” and “Health Care for All.”

“Now we have a long-term plan for the Soviet Union, a bailout budget for the savings and loan thieves and soon for the banks. Where is our plan to rebuild America?” Jackson said.

He urged both the Connecticut Legislature and President Bush to convene special summits to find solutions to the nation’s problems.

Connecticut remains in a deadlock over how to balance its budget. Gov. Lowell P. Weicker Jr., an independent, is demanding that lawmakers enact an income tax. The Legislature is holding out for an increase in the state sales tax.

In his speech, Jackson did not say if he favored a state income tax for Connecticut, but he spoke about tax reform in a general way.

“We can pay for the new priorities with tax reform, business incentives, effective use of capital sources such as pension funds, and breaking up the lock on military savings. But we need a plan,” Jackson said.

The march began Aug. 11 in Bridgeport, which became a symbol of urban decline when it unsuccessfully sought bankruptcy protection this summer. A federal judge denied its petition, and the city plans to appeal.

Jackson stopped in nine towns before reaching Hartford.

At its peak Saturday, the march grew to 5,000 people in a procession that stretched more than half a mile, police said. Near the front were about 60 people who walked the entire 60 miles from Bridgeport to Hartford with Jackson.