Mississippi leaders pay tribute to civil rights icon Jesse Jackson after his death

Jesse Jackson, a civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate, died at age 84. His daughter, Santita Jackson, confirmed he passed away at his home in Chicago, surrounded by family. Jackson had been battling a rare neurological disorder, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

Jackson was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement. As a young organizer in Chicago, he met with Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis just before King was assassinated. Jackson publicly positioned himself as King’s successor and dedicated his life to advocating for the poor and marginalized.

Throughout his career, Jackson championed voting rights, education, health care, and economic opportunities. He achieved diplomatic successes with world leaders and used his Rainbow/PUSH Coalition to push corporations toward greater diversity and inclusion. His signature phrase, “I am Somebody,” became a rallying cry for dignity and self-worth across racial and economic lines.

Mississippi officials expressed their condolences and reflected on Jackson’s legacy. U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson praised Jackson’s ability to inspire change through rhetoric and action. Jackson Mayor John Horhn called him a moral voice for the nation and credited his efforts with expanding democracy and fighting injustice. Mississippi Democratic Party Chair Cheikh Taylor shared personal stories of Jackson’s influence on young Black leaders, emphasizing his daily acts of kindness and encouragement in the LeDroit Park neighborhood in Washington, D.C.

Jackson’s legacy continues through his work in voter registration, coalition-building, and advocating for equality. Leaders across Mississippi and the nation remember him as a towering figure who challenged racism and inequality and who inspired generations to pursue justice and hope.

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