Jesse Jackson, one of the most prominent leaders of the United States civil rights movement in the 1960s, has died at the age of 84.
He passed away 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.,” the family said.
“He died 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 mobilizing 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 advocate for more than seven decades.
Jackson served as a shadow delegate and later as a shadow senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997. He was the father of U.S. Representative Jonathan Jackson and former U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr.
A towering figure in American civil rights history, Jackson worked on the frontlines 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, emerging as one of the most recognizable voices for social justice in the United States.
He twice sought the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, launching historic campaigns in 1984 and 1988 that broadened political participation and mobilized millions of new voters.
Jackson’s legacy endures through his lifelong advocacy, political achievements, and the institutions he established to advance equality and human rights.
