Rev. Jesse Jackson attends civic reception in Derry Londonderry

By Richard O'Reilly

The Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr was welcomed to a special civic reception at the Guidhall in Derry/Londonderry yesterday afternoon.

The United States Civil Rights icon is in the city to officially open The Museum of Free Derry on Thursday evening.

Earlier in the day he met various schoolchildren from the area, as well as meeting with SDLP representatives, passing on his regards to 'fellow civil rights campaigner' John Hume.

Civil rights icon The @RevJJackson is in Derry Londonderry this week. He'll officially open the @MuseumFreeDerry this evening pic.twitter.com/nx8kPhJ8fY

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) June 15, 2017

^{The Rev.Jesse Jackson says he's optimistic about the future of peace in Northern Ireland}

The Guildhall played host as Rev. Jackson met with the recently appointed Mayor of Derry City and Strabane, Cllr Maolíosa McHugh.

Speaking at the reception, Rev. Jackson said he is optimistic about the future of peace in Northern Ireland "I'm impressed with the new museum" said Rev. Jackson "it shows that ancient walls in Ireland are turning in to museum relics"

"Bridges are being built to connect the city, to connect the races, or strength is in connectivity, bridge building and in healing."

.@RevJJackson meets the Mayor of @dcsdcouncil @MaoliosaMcH at a civic reception ahead of tomorrow's official opening of @MuseumFreeDerry pic.twitter.com/BB8F5pSW4y

— Richard O'Reilly (@RM_oreilly) June 14, 2017

^{Rev Jackson meets the Mayor of Derrcy City and Strabane Maoliosa McHugh}

Rev. Jackson previously visited the city in 2011, and met with the late Minister Martin McGuinness, who's graveside he will visit this week.

Rev Jackson said there was a shared heritage between the civil rights Movements in Northern Ireland and the United States. "It's the same struggle for the same principles" he said "we've learned to survive apart, we must now learn to live together.

United States Civil Rights icon The @RevJJackson told @qnewsdesk that 'the price we pay for democracy is eternal vigilance' pic.twitter.com/WBP1z94jpk

— Richard O'Reilly (@RM_oreilly) June 15, 2017

^{Rev. Jackson says the 'price for democracy is eternal vigilance'}

The new Free Derry of Museum at Glenfada Park, which opened to the public in February, is the result of a £2.5 Million investment.

Since it's opening to the public the Museum has welcomed over 12,000 patrons through its doors. 

Today's Official opening comes seven years to the day since the findings of the Saville Report into the events of Bloody Sunday were published.