- Rev. Jesse Jackson, the iconic civil rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, has died peacefully at the age of 84.
- The two-time presidential candidate passed away on Tuesday morning in Chicago following a long-term battle with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).
- The protégé of Martin Luther King Jr. leaves behind a legacy of over seven decades dedicated to social justice, economic equality, and political empowerment.
The global civil rights community is in mourning following the death of Reverend Jesse Jackson, a towering figure in American politics and activism, who passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 84.
Eko Hot Blog reports that his family confirmed that he died peacefully surrounded by loved ones after managing a neurodegenerative condition for several years.
The news of his passing marks the end of an era for one of the most influential African-American voices of the 20th and 21st centuries.
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Born Jesse Louis Burns in 1941, Jackson rose to prominence as a young protégé of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the 1960s civil rights movement.
He was present at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis when Dr. King was assassinated in 1968, an event that deeply shaped his lifelong commitment to activism.
In 1971, he founded Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) in Chicago, which later merged with the National Rainbow Coalition to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, focusing on corporate accountability and minority representation.
Jackson made history with his two bids for the U.S. Presidency in 1984 and 1988.
His “Rainbow Coalition” campaigns were groundbreaking, as he built a diverse base of support across racial and economic lines, ultimately paving the way for future minority leaders in American politics.
Beyond domestic issues, he was known for his international diplomacy, successfully negotiating the release of American hostages and political prisoners in countries such as Syria, Cuba, and Iraq.
In his later years, Jackson faced health challenges, including a 2017 diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and a subsequent diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) in 2025.
Despite his physical decline, he remained an active voice for justice, often appearing at rallies and giving counsel to younger activists.
His family expressed gratitude for the outpouring of prayers and indicated that funeral arrangements would be announced in the coming days.
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