Jesse Jackson, Civil Rights Leader, Passes Away at 84

Jesse Jackson, a significant figure in the civil rights movement, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2026, at the age of 84. Born on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson became a recognized voice for racial equality and political participation in the United States and abroad.

He worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr. and was instrumental in organizing marches and voter registration drives. Jackson founded Operation PUSH in Chicago, which later evolved into the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

He ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988, winning 13 states during the primaries, which helped expand minority participation in national politics. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu described Jackson as a servant leader whose activism shaped the global struggle for racial equality.

Jackson's influence extended internationally, advocating against apartheid in South Africa and supporting Palestinian rights. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2000 and faced health challenges in recent years.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.