Jesse Jackson, one of the most influential figures in the United States civil rights movement of the 1960s, has passed away at the age of 84.
He d!ed peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday morning, surrounded by family and friends, according to a statement released by his family.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Civil Rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Honorable Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr,” his family announced in a statement.
“He d!ed peacefully on Tuesday morning, surrounded by his family.
“His unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights helped shape a global movement for freedom and dignity.
“A tireless change agent, he elevated the voices of the voiceless from his Presidential campaigns in the 1980s to mobilising millions to register to vote, leaving an indelible mark on history.”
Born Jesse Louis Jackson (né Burns) on October 8, 1941, he remained an influential civil rights leader for more than seven decades.
He served from 1991 to 1997 as a shadow delegate and senator for the District of Columbia, and was the father of U.S. Representative Jonathan Jackson and former U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr..
Jackson was a towering figure in American civil rights history and worked on the front lines of the struggle for racial equality alongside Martin Luther King Jr. during the 1960s.
Beginning as a young protégé of King, he went on to build a decades-long career as an activist, politician and ordained Baptist minister, becoming one of the most recognisable voices for social justice in the United States.
He twice sought the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, running historic campaigns in 1984 and 1988 that expanded political participation and mobilised millions of new voters.
His legacy endures through his advocacy, political work and the institutions he built to advance equality and human rights.
