Civil Rights Leader Jesse Jackson Passes Away at Age 84

Reverend Jesse Jackson Dies at 84

Reverend Jesse Jackson, a prominent civil rights leader and former presidential hopeful, passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 84. According to his family, he died peacefully.

A statement from his family described him as a “servant leader” who dedicated himself to promoting justice, equality, and human rights. They noted that he had a profound impact on global movements for freedom and dignity.

Jackson was closely associated with civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. and served as his mentee. He was present when King was assassinated in 1968 and later continued his legacy by leading the Chicago-based organization Operation PUSH, which aimed to improve economic, social, and political conditions for Black people across the US.

In addition to his work with Operation PUSH, Jackson formed the National Rainbow Coalition, a group that sought equal rights and representation for marginalized groups. He also apologized for anti-Semitic comments made earlier in his career and publicly distanced himself from Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.

Jackson’s speech at the 1988 Democratic National Convention is widely remembered as one of his most famous. In it, he encouraged listeners to hold their heads high and stick their chests out, saying that they could overcome adversity and make a difference.

In recent years, Jackson had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease but continued to advocate for progressive causes, including pushing for COVID-19 vaccines for Black Americans who faced lower vaccine uptake rates compared to their white counterparts.

Source: Al Jazeera