How did Jesse Jackson help the Iraq and Kuwait hostages?

Answer 1

In late August of 1990, Reverend Jesse Jackson was allowed to visit Kuwait as a journalist, reporting conditions in the city. He and his camera crew stayed in the Kuwait International Hotel across the street from the US Embassy compound. At the time, the hotel was heavily occupied by the Iraqi military. This presented an opportunity to evacuate people with medical problems from the Embassy. Unfortunately, the Iraqis would not allow the Embassy to contact Jackson at the hotel. Bed sheets were draped across the grounds with the words, 'JESSE CALL BAR.' The complete message was to request that Jackson call Barbara Bodine, the Deputy Chief of Ministry on the phone.

We ran short of spray paint, but the plan worked anyway. After contacting Barbara, Reverend Jackson managed to convince the Iraqi Officials to allow several people with medical problems to join him on his return flight to America.

I was there. I watched Jesse and his crew walk down the street with dozens of guns pointed at them simply to help some folks in trouble. The man has guts. I met him at the Embassy gate, the Reverend said a lengthy prayer and he left with several people with medical problems as well some women and children. They all returned safely to the US the following day. J Rinehart