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Before speaking to a packed crowd at Olivet Baptist Church, Rev. Jackson toured the VW site and spoke with officials about how the plant will benefit minorities.
The meeting is one of several Jackson plans to have with automakers across the country. VW officials say it's part of their continuing relationship with the civil rights leader and his organization the Rainbow-Push Coalition.
"Including women and people of color..white and black co-existing is the good thing because the success of my civil rights movement made that VW presence possible," Jackson said. Volkswagen officials have said they want 10 percent minority sourcing for the new plant construction by the time production starts in 2011. The company also aims for 5 percent of minority supplies for the vehicles by 2011 and up to 10 percent by 2015. "It's a step in the right direction...but it's not enough. Because once you get past a certain base, the talent must reign. Who will create the body, look of the next car. One does not know where the ingenious really lies. But the fact that there must be some base of shared participation," Jackson told reporters. "It was really open and warm exchange of ideas in this changing automotive climate how we all work together to be beneficial to all," VW Spokewoman April Wortham added.
Reverend Jesse Jackson made a stop in Chattanooga Tuesday.
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