US Civil Rights Activist Jesse Jackson Is Dead

Jesse Jackson, a key figure in the American civil rights struggle of the 1960s, has died at 84.

His family said he passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday morning, with loved ones by his side.

In a statement, they described Jesse Jackson as a devoted civil rights leader and the founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Civil Rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Honorable Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr,” his family announced in a statement.

“He died peacefully on Tuesday morning, surrounded by his family.

“His unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights helped shape a global movement for freedom and dignity.

“A tireless change agent, he elevated the voices of the voiceless from his Presidential campaigns in the 1980s to mobilising millions to register to vote — leaving an indelible mark on history.”

Jesse Jackson worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr. during the height of the civil rights movement and played an active role in campaigns led by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

He was present in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1968 when King was assassinated.

Born on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson became one of the most recognizable voices for racial equality and social change in the United States.

The activist later sought the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination in both 1984 and 1988.

In 2017, he revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He was hospitalised in November 2025  after doctors identified a degenerative health condition.

KanyiDaily recalls that Oscar-winning actor Robert Duvall, known for his roles in The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, passed away at the age of 95.