It was sadly announced that the legendary civil rights leader, Reverend Jesse Jackson, has died.
As a protege of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, he built a career around working to politically organise and improve the lives of Black people in the United States and became a national force during his two White House campaigns.
Born in Greenville, South Carolina, Rev. Jackson fought for civil rights alongside Dr. King during the 1960s and was twice a candidate for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988. As the U.S. representative from Illinois's 2nd congressional district, he served from 1995 until his resignation in 2012.
He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2017 and was hospitalised for observation last November after being diagnosed with a degenerative condition. In a statement, the Jackson family said: "Our father was a servant leader - not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world."
Civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton, who worked closely with Jackson during the civil rights movement, describes him as his mentor and says he has just "prayed with his family by phone". Jackson was a "consequential and transformative leader who changed this nation and the world", Sharpton says in a statement on X.
"He shaped public policy and changed laws,” Sharpton says.
“He kept the dream alive and taught young children from broken homes, like me, that we don’t have broken spirits. He told us we were somebody and made us believe. I will always cherish him taking me under his wing, and I will forever try to do my part to keep hope alive.
"A giant has gone home. Sending prayers, so many prayers, love, and heartfelt condolences to the Jackson family and to every person around the world whose life he touched and who loved him."
Jesse Jackson died peacefully surrounded by his family. He was 84.
