As Barack Obama stood before a jubilant crowd in Chicago’s Grant Park on the night of his election victory in 2008, cameras captured a poignant moment. Among the sea of supporters, Jesse Jackson was seen with tears in his eyes, a reflection of the profound significance of the occasion.
Jackson later shared the depth of his emotions, saying, “I cried because I thought about those who made it possible who were not there. People who paid a real price: Ralph Abernathy, Dr. King, Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer – those in the movement in the South.”
In recent years, Jackson has faced several health challenges. In August 2021, both he and his wife were hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19. That November, Jackson suffered another setback when he was hospitalized following a fall and head injury during a protest at Howard University in Washington.
Despite these health issues, Jackson’s commitment to activism remained unwavering. In 2021, he was arrested while advocating for Congress to protect voting rights and also led a march for criminal justice reform, demonstrating his continued dedication to civil rights.
In 2023, Jesse Jackson announced his decision to step down as president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, marking the end of an era for the international human and civil rights organization he founded more than 50 years ago.
Jackson announced plans to step down as president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in 2023, more than 50 years after he founded the international human and civil rights organisation.
His legacy was celebrated the following year when he was honoured on stage at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, which would see Kamala Harris become the first Black woman to lead a major-party ticket.
Jackson is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, and their five children, Santita, Jesse Jr, Jonathan, Yusef, and Jacqueline. He is also survived by a sixth child, Ashley.
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