Jesse Jackson weighs in on Schiavo case
Schiavo's parents say daughter weakened; autopsy planned
PINELLAS PARK -- The parents of Terri Schiavo demonstrated today that their support for reinserting their brain-damaged daughter's feeding tube extends beyond the religious right, meeting and praying with the Rev. Jesse Jackson who called her impending death "an injustice."
Jackson said he would call state senators who opposed legislation that would have reinserted Schiavo's feeding tube and ask them to reconsider. Terri Schiavo was in her 12th day without food and water. Her husband and guardian, Michael Schiavo, has insisted that he was carrying out her wishes by having her feeding tube pulled.
"I feel so passionate about this injustice being done, how unnecessary it is to deny her a feeding tube, water, not even ice to be used for her parched lips," said the civil rights leader who has run for president as a Democrat and has supported liberal causes. "This is a moral issue and it transcends politics and family disputes."
Jackson's arrival today was greeted by some applause and cries of "This is about civil rights."
"I wanted the Reverend Jackson here for moral support," said Mary Schindler, Terri Schiavo's mother. "I feel good with him here. Very strong. He gives me strength."
Schiavo's father, Bob Schindler, said he visited his daughter today and said she was "failing."
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After Jackson's news conference, a man was tackled to the ground by officers when he tried to storm into the hospice, Pinellas Park police said.
Dow Pursley, 56, of Scranton, Pa., was shocked with a Taser stun gun and was arrested on charges of attempted burglary and resisting arrest without violence, police spokesman Sanfield Forseth said. The man had two bottles of water with him but did not reach the hospice door, police said. He is the 47th protester arrested.
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