Civil Rights Icon Jesse L. Jackson Dies at 84
Written by DJ Sight on February 17, 2026
Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, a prominent civil rights leader, two-time U.S. presidential candidate, and longtime advocate for social and economic justice, has died at the age of 84.
Jackson, a protégé of Martin Luther King Jr., rose to national prominence during the Civil Rights Movement and became one of its most enduring figures following King’s assassination in 1968. Over the decades, he founded organizations, led voter registration drives, championed economic empowerment initiatives, and advocated for marginalized communities across the United States and internationally.
His daughter, Santita Jackson, confirmed that he died at home, surrounded by family.
Jackson’s legacy spans more than half a century of activism, political engagement, and public service, leaving a lasting imprint on American political and social life.
Jesse Jackson, who led the Civil Rights Movement after King’s assassination, has died | AP News
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