The Reverend Jesse Jackson, a towering figure in the American civil rights movement and a two-time Democratic presidential candidate, has died at the age of 84. The Jackson family announced his passing, describing him as a 'servant leader' who dedicated his life to the oppressed and voiceless worldwide. No cause of death was given, though Jackson had been battling progressive supranuclear palsy for over a decade.
Tributes have poured in from across the political spectrum. Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle expressed deep sadness, highlighting the friendship between their families. President Donald Trump called Jackson a 'good man' and 'very gregarious', noting their long acquaintance. Former President Joe Biden praised Jackson as 'determined and tenacious' in his belief in America's promise, calling him a man of God and the people.
Former Vice-President Kamala Harris described Jackson as 'one of America's greatest patriots', recalling how his campaign inspired her as a law student. She wrote that he 'widened the path for generations to follow in his footsteps'. Civil rights leader Al Sharpton paid tribute to his 'mentor', stating Jackson was a 'consequential and transformative leader who changed this nation and the world'.
Martin Luther King III and his wife Andrea praised Jackson as a 'living bridge between generations', carrying forward the Civil Rights Movement's unfinished work. Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr, noted her family's long history with Jackson, who was a protege of her father. The Jackson family's statement concluded: 'Our father was a servant leader – not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world.'
