WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Jesse Jackson delivers message of mercy to Mitchell College grads (New London-WTNH) _ Reverend Jesse Jackson brought a message of peace and mercy to the graduating class of Mitchell College in New London Saturday. After freeing three former US prisoners of war from Yugoslavia, the focus in New London was on his push for diplomacy and not more bombings in the Balkans. News Channel 8's Jocelyn Sigue reports. A standing ovation greeted the Reverend Jesse Jackson today before the civil right's leader even uttered one word. Jackson's work to free the three American POW's in Yugoslavia was an inspiration to the Mitchell College class of 1999. Raffael Romano, Mitchell Graduate: "He's speaking from his heart and he really he's just doing what he thinks is best." Kirsten Richter-Bonin, Niantic: "You can tell that he genuinely cares about what he's talking about." Rev Jesse Jackson: "I'm glad we brought the boy's home. -APPLAUSE-" In his commencement address Jackson stood up to the criticism he's received for visiting Serb leader Slobodan Milosevic. He sees the prisoner's release as an open door to end the war in the Balkans. When he did so much of the world viewed this moment as an opportunity to take the next step - NATO was indifferent -- the bombing escalated. Without a move toward diplomacy from NATO, Jackson foresees the war going on indefinitely. he challenged America's young people to take a stand on this issue as their forefathers did in previous conflicts. Rev. Jackson: "What does New London have to do with the war? Or Mitchell? You are paying for it with your money. If we are not successful you will pay for it with your lives. It's your war and it must be your concern." Jamaal Smith: "It really touched me you know cause I didn't really think what I was going to do with my future. I was just like playing sports and that was... Now I'm going to further my education." Jackson stressed today that he does not denounce the United States' reasons for getting involved in the war. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Jesse Jackson delivers message of mercy to Mitchell College grads
(New London-WTNH) _ Reverend Jesse Jackson brought a message of peace and mercy to the graduating class of Mitchell College in New London Saturday. After freeing three former US prisoners of war from Yugoslavia, the focus in New London was on his push for diplomacy and not more bombings in the Balkans.
News Channel 8's Jocelyn Sigue reports.

A standing ovation greeted the Reverend Jesse Jackson today before the civil right's leader even uttered one word. Jackson's work to free the three American POW's in Yugoslavia was an inspiration to the Mitchell College class of 1999.

Raffael Romano, Mitchell Graduate: "He's speaking from his heart and he really he's just doing what he thinks is best."

Kirsten Richter-Bonin, Niantic: "You can tell that he genuinely cares about what he's talking about."

Rev Jesse Jackson: "I'm glad we brought the boy's home. -APPLAUSE-"

In his commencement address Jackson stood up to the criticism he's received for visiting Serb leader Slobodan Milosevic. He sees the prisoner's release as an open door to end the war in the Balkans.

When he did so much of the world viewed this moment as an opportunity to take the next step - NATO was indifferent -- the bombing escalated.

Without a move toward diplomacy from NATO, Jackson foresees the war going on indefinitely. he challenged America's young people to take a stand on this issue as their forefathers did in previous conflicts.

Rev. Jackson: "What does New London have to do with the war? Or Mitchell? You are paying for it with your money. If we are not successful you will pay for it with your lives. It's your war and it must be your concern."

Jamaal Smith: "It really touched me you know cause I didn't really think what I was going to do with my future. I was just like playing sports and that was... Now I'm going to further my education."

Jackson stressed today that he does not denounce the United States' reasons for getting involved in the war.

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