Jonathan P. Jackson facts for kids

Jonathan Peter Jackson (born June 23, 1953 – died August 7, 1970) was a young American. He was involved in a serious event at a California courthouse. At just 17 years old, Jackson went to the Marin County Courthouse. During an incident there, he and a judge were killed. Two inmates also died, and others were hurt. The weapons used were connected to political activist Angela Davis. She was later tried in court but found not guilty of any involvement.

Early Life and Education

Jonathan Jackson was the youngest of five children. His parents were Lester and Georgia Bea Jackson. He grew up in Pasadena, California. Jonathan went to St Andrew's School for seventh and eighth grades. After that, he attended La Salle High School for ninth grade. He then went to Blair High School until his junior year.

Involvement in Political Movements

Connecting with Activists

Jonathan Jackson sometimes worked as a bodyguard for Angela Davis. She was a well-known political activist. Angela Davis later spoke positively about Jonathan Jackson's actions.

Jonathan's older brother, George Jackson, was also an activist. George wrote a book called Blood in My Eye. In this book, he included some of Jonathan's ideas. These ideas were important to George's thoughts on how to bring about change.

The Marin County Courthouse Incident

On August 7, 1970, Jonathan Jackson went to the Marin County Hall of Justice. He brought a bag with three automatic firearms. These guns were registered to Angela Davis. At the courthouse, Judge Harold Haley was overseeing a trial. The trial involved an inmate from San Quentin named James McClain.

Inside the courtroom, Jackson took out a gun. With help from McClain and two other inmates, Ruchell Cinque Magee and William Arthur Christmas, he took Judge Haley hostage. He also took Deputy District Attorney Gary Thomas and three female jurors.

Jackson and the others tied up the hostages. They then led them out to a rented van. News reporters were there and documented what was happening. Prison guards from San Quentin tried to stop the van Jackson was driving. During the shootout that followed, Jonathan Jackson, William Christmas, James McClain, and Judge Haley were killed. Ruchell Magee and Deputy District Attorney Thomas were seriously injured.

Jonathan Jackson's son, Jonathan Jackson Jr., was born about eight months after his father's death. Later that year, a monument for Judge Haley was attacked by a group called the Weather Underground.

Jonathan Jackson in Popular Culture

Music References

Jonathan Jackson's story has been mentioned in several songs:

• The rapper Nas honored George and Jonathan Jackson in his song "Testify." This song is from his untitled album.
• Hasan Salaam mentioned the brothers in his song "Get High Riddum." He sang, "I fight for my freedom like George and John Jackson."
• The group Dead Prez mentioned Jonathan Jackson in their songs "I have a dream too" and "Over." These songs are on their mixtape "Revolutionary But Gangsta Grillz."
• Chris Iijima of the band Yellow Pearl wrote a song called "Jonathan Jackson." It is on the album A Grain of Sand: Music for the Struggle by Asians in America.
• Jeffery Cain wrote and recorded a song called "Whispering Thunder" in 1971. It was on his album with the same name.
• Hussein Fatal mentioned George and Jonathan Jackson in the song "Dumpin'." This song is on the posthumous 2Pac album Pac's Life.
• 2Pac's song "Soulja's Story" from his album 2Pacalypse Now also refers to George and Jonathan Jackson.

Film Portrayals

• The 2007 film Black August is about Jonathan's elder brother George. This movie also shows the Marin County incident.