Veteran civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson has been released from a Chicago medical facility after a two-week stay for treatment related to a progressive neurological condition.
Hospital Discharge and Family Statement
The 84-year-old Baptist minister and former presidential candidate was discharged from Northwestern Memorial Hospital on Monday, according to a family announcement. His son, Yusef Jackson, acting as the family spokesperson, confirmed that his father remains in stable condition following his release.
The statement was issued through the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the political action organisation founded by Jesse Jackson himself. The family expressed profound gratitude for the medical care received and thanked supporters for their prayers during this challenging period.
Details of Medical Condition
Jackson was originally admitted to hospital on November 12 for observation related to progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a degenerative neurological disorder. This diagnosis marks a change from his previous condition.
While Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease back in 2013, his diagnosis was updated to PSP in April of this year. The family's latest statement did not provide further specifics about his recent treatment or current health status beyond confirming his stable condition upon discharge.
In their message, the Jackson family emphasised the power of community support, stating: "We bear witness to the fact that prayer works and would also like to thank the professional, caring and amazing medical and security staff at Northwestern Hospital." They have humbly requested continued prayers during this precious time.
A Lifetime of Civil Rights Activism
Reverend Jackson's influence on American civil rights spans decades, beginning in the 1960s when he worked alongside Dr Martin Luther King Jr as part of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He was present at the Memphis, Tennessee assassination of Dr King in 1968.
His political ambitions later saw him mount two campaigns for the Democratic presidential nomination. In 1984, he finished in third place during the primary elections, and in 1988, he secured a second-place finish, though ultimately failing to clinch the party's nomination on both occasions. Throughout his career, he remained an outspoken critic of Republican policies, particularly those of President Ronald Reagan.
