News In Brief

Jackson asks forebearance in affirmative-action case

The Rev. Jesse Jackson urged his supporters Thursday not to allow the latest decision on affirmative action by ''the Nixon-Reagan Supreme Court'' to create dissension among racial groups.

''We must not allow even a narrow decision of the Supreme Court to pit members of the 'rainbow coalition' against each other,'' Mr. Jackson said in a statement after a meeting with black and Hispanic members of Congress.

The rainbow coalition is Jackson's phrase for the blacks, Hispanics, whites, and others who have responded to his appeal for support in his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.

The court ruled 6 to 3 Tuesday that courts may not interfere with seniority systems to protect the jobs of newly hired black workers when layoffs are necessary.