Jackson Free Press

[press release/verbatim] April 13, 2005—On April 5, a group of Jackson ministers, representing various denominations, crowded Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson, Jr.'s campaign headquarters to publicly endorse Johnson who is seeking his third term in office. This is not the first time the religious community has embraced Mayor Johnson. In 1997 and in 2001, many of the ministers who attended the April 5 press conference, along with several others, endorsed the mayor.

"And we won both times. We galvanized this community, we galvanized this city in such a way that we were able to prevail," said Johnson. "Here again, in 2005, we still have that type of relationship; that type of support. This endorsement is so critical, so crucial."

Johnson, who is a member of Hope Springs Missionary Baptist Church, said he considers himself a member of the religious community and appreciates the support the ministers have given him and his family throughout the years - and not just during election time.

"I can feel being lifted up from your prayers," Johnson told the members of the clergy who surrounded him. "Sometimes it gets tough and the weather gets kind of stormy. But when I wake up, it's like a new day. And I know it's a new day because of the support and the prayers you are sending up for me and my family."

After Johnson thanked the ministers and prepared to end the press conference, the ministers started chanting, "four more years," which encouraged Johnson to continue speak. The mayor told a story about a community of rabbits that were being eaten up by hounds. In an act of desperation, the rabbits decided that they would go to river and jump in and kill themselves. As they traveled toward the river, they encountered a mule. The mule was so stunned to see so many rabbits that he got scared and ran away. Further down on their journey to the river, they approached some cows grazing in a pasture. Like the mule, the cows hadn't ever seen so many rabbits. And like the mule, the cows got scared and ran away.

As they got closer to the river, the leader of the rabbit had an epiphany.

"The rabbit said, ‘what a minute. We might have something here. We got together and we stayed together, and we when we passed that mule, the mule got scared and took off. We stayed together and the cows also got scared and ran off. So if we get together, stay together and stick together, those hounds ain't going to be no problem,'" said Johnson. "I believe we have a hound in the Democratic Party. You know what I think about hounds? They think rabbits are crazy. They think that we forgot eight years ago that hounds were eating us up. We know a hound when we see one. If you just hang out with rabbits on Election Day, you are a hound. When you got to polls and vote on May 3, please vote for this little rabbit."

Here's what some of the ministers who attended the press conference had to say:

"When a lot of churches, especially white churches, were moving out of the inner city, we stayed. We had a vision for all races of people; we have always loved people without regard to color or financial background or anything like that and for that reason I am with him (Rev. Raymond Biard, pastor of Jackson Revival Center). That's what in his heart and I know that's what's in our mayor's heart; to honor people and to love people. Our problems are not black problems or white problems - they're all of our problems. … The mayor's presence, demeanor, confidence and his character has always impressed me. I feel like he is a man of his word and a man who speaks from his heart. He is not a faker and I believe he is not a politician. I believe he is a man after the heart of people. And that's the way our God is. Our God cares about people, we as ministers, care about people and we have a mayor who cares about people. - Rev. Steve Mitchell, associate pastor of Jackson Revival Center, April 5 press conference endorsing Mayor Johnson

"He is not just a mayor, he is a friend. He has shown himself faithful to love God and God's people. There has never been a time when we have called him and he has not assisted us in our needs at Cathedral. We are thankful for that. The city of Jackson is not where it should be, that's why he needs more time. I would say, "Four more years," but instead I am saying, "All of the time he needs." — Rev. John C. Evans, Jr., pastor of Cathedral A.M.E. Zion, April 5 press conference endorsing Mayor Johnson

"While watching progress take place, so often we miscalculate time. It's not where you are that you can measure the worth, but you have to remember what you had when you started. The city of Jackson was in deep trouble; in the dark ages. Thank God for the light." — Rev. John E. Cameron, Sr., pastor of Greater Mount Calvary Baptist Church, April 5 press conference endorsing Mayor Johnson

"It's a privilege to endorse a man who really deserves the opportunity to continue the vision he started several years ago. He is a godly man; the man is honorable, he has integrity, he has morals and he has values. In this day and time, we need such in an office such as this as mayor of a city such as we have. I urge every citizen of the city of Jackson to vote with conviction and to vote for promise for the future and to vote for a man who can give us conviction and a future for the ‘Best of the New South.' - Rev. Hosea Hines, pastor of College Hill Baptist Church, April 5 press conference endorsing Mayor Johnson

"Mayor Johnson is a man that I truly believe in. He is a man that has a vision. And he is a man of accountability. Our mayor is certified, but most of all, he is bona fide. He is a praying man. He is a man that is able to deliver; not by himself, but through the God that made a way." -Rev. Walter Johnson, pastor of Hope Springs Baptist Church, April 5 press conference endorsing Mayor Johnson

"At no time in the history of this city has it been more important to become involved in the future of this city. I believe in Harvey Johnson because I believe in the future of this city. No one has worked harder, no has dreamed more, no has persisted in the face of unwarranted criticism as he has, or cared deeper about the future of this city. And Harvey Johnson has delivered on his promises to make Jackson the bold, new city. Responsible citizens owe a man like this our full support." — Rev. Horace Buckley, pastor of Cade Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, April 5 press conference endorsing Mayor Johnson