Jesse Jackson, civil rights icon who called for marriage equality, dies
Reverend Jesse Jackson poses for a portrait at his Operation PUSH office in August 1982 in Chicago, Illinois. (Steve Kagan/Getty Images)
The Rev Jesse Jackson, a civil rights icon who called for marriage equality, has died aged 84.
Jackson’s family shared in a statement that he had died peacefully on Tuesday morning surrounded by his family.
The statement added: “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.”
‘We ask you to honour his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by’
It continued: “Our father was a servant leader – not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world. We shared him with the world, and in return, the world became part of our extended family. His unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love uplifted millions, and we ask you to honour his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by.”
The founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition – an organisation dedicated to civil rights, social change, and economic justice – grew to prominence in the civil rights era, fighting alongside Martin Luther King Jr in the 1960s.
Jackson was twice a candidate for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988.
In 2010, Jackson called for California’s ban on gay marriage to be struck down. He said during protest that gays and lesbians were “America’s newest second-class citizens”.
‘I support the right for any person to marry the person of their choosing’
Jackson continued: “We stand together today to uphold the principles of due process, of equal protection under the law, of fighting against discrimination against any and all people based on race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.
“We stand with you today to support marriage equality, and to declare that Proposition 8 must be struck down as unconstitutional.
“Marriage is based on love and commitment – not on sexual orientation. I support the right for any person to marry the person of their choosing.”
In 2017, Rev Jackson revealed he had Parkinson’s. He had been treated as an outpatient at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago for at least two years before sharing his diagnosis.
Parkinson’s disease, which can be inherited, is a neurological condition caused by a reduction of dopamine in the brain, leading to a plethora of physical and psychological problems such as memory loss, violent tremors, and motor-function issues.
As per NBC News, Jackson had condemned Donald Trump’s presidency, saying: “50 years of civil rights have been threatened.”
Jackson’s family statement shared that he is is survived by his wife, Jacqueline; their children – Santita, Jesse Jr., Jonathan, Yusef, Jacqueline; daughter Ashley Jackson, and grandchildren.
Public observances will be held in Chicago, while plans for celebration of life will be announced by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
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