VICTORIA, Seychelles — Reverend Jesse Jackson, a leading figure in the American civil rights movement and a two-time presidential candidate, has died at the age of 84 after living with progressive supranuclear palsy for more than 13 years. The civil rights leader was admitted to hospital last November as his health worsened, with his family describing him as a servant leader to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked.
Born on October 8, 1941 in Greenville, South Carolina, Reverend Jackson became active in the civil rights movement at a young age, working closely with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and taking part in marches and campaigns that called for equal rights for Black Americans. Over the years, he became known as a strong voice for justice and equality, entering national politics with campaigns for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988.
Through his Rainbow Coalition, he encouraged unity among Black, poor, and working-class communities. Many leaders have paid tribute to him, with former Vice-President Kamala Harris describing him as one of America’s greatest patriots. Former Mayor of Victoria David André recalled meeting him during the 2018 Crans Montana Forum in Morocco, describing it as a privilege to meet someone of such calibre.
Public observances will be held in Chicago, with further details about celebration of life events to be announced by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Reverend Jackson had been living with PSP, a rare disease affecting movement, balance, and swallowing, and shared publicly in 2018 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
As tributes continue to pour in, many remember Jesse Jackson as a man who spent more than 60 years standing up for justice and equality. His values of respecting human rights and promoting civil rights and solidarity in communities resonated far beyond the United States, including in Seychelles where former Mayor André remembered him as a living inspiration.
Reverend Jesse Jackson’s legacy as a civil rights icon spans more than six decades of activism.
