WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Rev. Jesse Jackson criticized Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Tuesday over his reaction to the arrest of six black juveniles in Jena, Louisiana, on murder charges, accusing the Illinois senator of "acting like he's white," according to a South Carolina newspaper. The Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks to the press Tuesday in Jena, Louisiana. The comments reportedly came during a speech at Benedict College, a historically black college in Columbia, South Carolina. The newspaper reports Jackson later said he did not recall saying Obama is "acting like he's white," but continued to condemn the Illinois Democrat as well as the other presidential candidates for not bringing more attention to this issue.
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The State newspaper: Jackson says Obama "acting like he's white" in Jena case
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Jackson tells The State he does not recall making comment
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Civil rights leader later applauded Obama for "speaking out" on issue
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Obama hopes prosecutor will "reconsider the excessive charges"
The charges against the six blacks -- dubbed the " @placeholder" -- resulted from that incident.