Reverend Jesse Jackson, a towering figure in America’s struggle for racial equality and a two-time presidential candidate, has died at the age of 84, his family confirmed on Tuesday.
Jackson’s death marks the passing of one of the last prominent leaders directly linked to the modern civil rights movement.
Over more than five decades, he championed voting rights, economic justice and minority political participation, positioning himself as a bridge between grassroots activism and national politics.
Emerging on the national stage in the 1960s, Jackson worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr. during some of the most turbulent years in American history.
Following King’s assassination in 1968, he expanded his activism, arguing that civil rights must also address economic inequality and systemic exclusion.
Moreover, his rhetoric frequently connected racial justice to broader questions of poverty and opportunity.
In the 1970s, he founded Operation PUSH, an organisation focused on economic empowerment and corporate accountability.
That initiative later evolved into the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, which sought to unite marginalised communities under a broad, multiracial political platform.
Through these platforms, Jackson organised voter registration drives, negotiated with major corporations over minority hiring, and mobilised national campaigns around social justice issues.
His political ambitions further reshaped American politics. In 1984 and again in 1988, Jackson mounted historic campaigns for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Although he did not secure the nomination, his bids significantly expanded minority participation in the electoral process and influenced the party’s policy direction.
Furthermore, his campaigns demonstrated the viability of a nationwide coalition rooted in diversity and progressive reform.
In later years, Jackson remained active in public life despite mounting health challenges. He continued to advocate for criminal justice reform, expanded healthcare access and economic fairness, frequently appearing at rallies and policy forums.
Tributes from political leaders and civil rights advocates began pouring in shortly after news of his passing, many describing him as a moral force who reshaped public discourse in the United States.
Details regarding funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by his family.
However, his legacy, defined by activism, political ambition and a relentless call for inclusion, is likely to endure as a defining chapter in America’s civil rights history.