Jesse Jackson arrested in execution protest

Thursday, January 11th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Oklahoma City CNN) -- Civil rights activist Jesse Jackson was arrested Wednesday night in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, after taking part in a protest against the scheduled execution of a convicted murderer.

Jackson and several others were rallying against Thursday's planned execution of Wanda Jean Allen, 41, who has been on death row since 1989 for killing her lesbian lover.

If the execution, which in Oklahoma is by lethal injection, takes place as scheduled, Allen will be the first black woman executed in the United States since 1954, and the first woman executed in the state since 1907.

A spokeswoman for the Oklahoma County Jail said Jackson was in custody but would not give any further details.

Jackson's spokesman said the civil rights activist was arrested on a misdemeanor trespassing charge at the Mabel Bassett Correctional Center but is expected to be released on Thursday.

Jackson was released from the Oklahoma County Jail at 8:30 AM this morning.