By Ebi Kesiena
Reverend Jesse Jackson, one of the most prominent figures in the United States civil rights movement, has died at the age of 84. His family announced that he passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning.
In a statement, his relatives described him as a “servant leader” devoted not only to his family but also to “the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world.” They urged supporters to honour his legacy by continuing the pursuit of justice, equality, and love principles that defined his public life.
A Baptist minister and veteran activist, Jackson rose to national prominence in the 1960s when he worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr. and participated in major civil rights campaigns. He was present in Memphis in 1968 when King was assassinated, marking one of many historic moments in which he played a visible role.
The family did not disclose a cause of death. However, Jackson revealed in 2017 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative neurological disorder. Media reports also indicated he was hospitalised in November for observation related to another neurodegenerative condition.
Over more than six decades, Jackson expanded African American representation in national politics. He became the most prominent Black candidate to seek the U.S. presidency prior to Barack Obama, mounting two bids for the Democratic Party nomination in the 1980s.
Born Jesse Louis Burns on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, he later adopted his stepfather’s surname. From leading sit-ins in 1960 to engaging in international mediation efforts, Jackson remained a powerful voice in the struggle for racial justice until his final years.
