US Civil Rights Icon Jesse Jackson Dies at Age 84

US Civil Rights Leader Jesse Jackson Passes Away at 84

Jesse Jackson, a prominent civil rights leader and Baptist minister, has passed away at the age of 84. According to his family, Jackson died peacefully on Tuesday.

Jackson rose from the segregated South to become a close associate of Martin Luther King Jr and a prominent civil rights leader in his own right. He remained politically active throughout his life, leading various civil rights groups and organizations, including Operation Breadbasket and the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition.

Leaders from around the world have shared their memories of Jackson, with many expressing condolences on social media. US President Donald Trump issued a statement saying he knew Jackson well and described him as a “good man” who was “very gregarious”. Former President Barack Obama released a statement saying he was deeply saddened by Jackson’s passing and credited him with inspiring his own campaign for president.

Other leaders, including President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former First Lady Hillary Clinton, also shared their tributes to Jackson. Biden remembered him as “determined and tenacious”, while Harris said he gave a voice to people who were removed from power and politics. The Clintons described Jackson as someone who championed human dignity and helped create opportunities for countless people.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also expressed his condolences, describing Jackson as a “global moral authority” who stood firm in the fight for justice and equality.

Source: Al Jazeera