STILLWATER, Okla. — The Rev. Jesse Jackson will visit Stillwater Thursday to support convicted Oklahoma State University athlete Darrell Williams.
A representative of Jackson's organization Rainbow Push Coalition confirmed the reverend would be in Stillwater Thursday. The Oklahoma State University chapter of the NAACP confirmed through its Twitter account Tuesday that Jackson would be part of a public forum held for Williams at Mt. Zion Baptist Church from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Williams is due in court Friday for sentencing. He was convicted July 23 of three of five felony counts stemming from allegations that he sexually assaulted two women at a Stillwater house party in December 2010.
He was convicted on two counts of rape by instrumentation and one count of sexual battery. He was acquitted on two additional counts of rape by instrumentation.
Administrative Assistant and Church Clerk with Mt. Zion Claudette Petties said she believes Jackson will meet and greet people during his time in Stillwater.
"I just know that he's coming to Stillwater in reference to the case and he's just going to be talking generally to the community," Petties said. "Everyone is invited."
The past few months have seen residents show support for Williams in the form of rallies, petitions and social media calling for his release.
Area crisis response teams that deal with assault victims have rallied to show their support for the victims and take a stand against abuse in Oklahoma. Supporters, including the two Williams trial victims, gathered outside Payne County courthouse Tuesday.
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