See memorable Jesse Jackson moments in photos, video
- - See memorable Jesse Jackson moments in photos, video
Kate Perez, USA TODAYFebruary 17, 2026 at 8:22 AM
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See memorable Jesse Jackson moments in photos, video
Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, known for his decades of activism, work alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and beyond, died at the age of 84 on Feb. 17.
Jackson had been hospitalized since Nov. 12 amid a lengthy battle with the neuromuscular disease progressive supranuclear palsy, a condition similar to Parkinson's disease. His death was announced by the organization he founded, the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, which wrote in a statement that he died "peacefully" surrounded by his family.
"His unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love uplifted millions, and we ask you to honor his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by," his family said in a statement shared by the organization.
Social media saw an outpouring of memorials and tributes from politicians and public figures alike eulogizing Jackson and his long career of advocacy.
See Jesse Jackson's path from preacher to civil rights leaderhas died. He was 84. Jackson was hospitalized on Nov. 12 following a lengthy battle with the neuromuscular disease progressive supranuclear palsy, a condition similar to Parkinson's disease.See his journey and path to politics in photos.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a towering civil rights icon who battled alongside Martin Luther King Jr., negotiated global hostage releases, and shamed corporations for their lack of corporate diversity and failure to support voting rights, has died. He was 84. Jackson was hospitalized on Nov. 12 following a lengthy battle with the neuromuscular disease progressive supranuclear palsy, a condition similar to Parkinson's disease.See his journey and path to politics in photos.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BhdsmI_yHVHmbxhOfa4HJw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f546056edd829cf25e037fd554daf71a class=caas-img data-headline="Jesse Jackson dies at 84. Follow his journey to civil rights leader" data-caption="
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a towering civil rights icon who battled alongside Martin Luther King Jr., negotiated global hostage releases, and shamed corporations for their lack of corporate diversity and failure to support voting rights, has died. He was 84. Jackson was hospitalized on Nov. 12 following a lengthy battle with the neuromuscular disease progressive supranuclear palsy, a condition similar to Parkinson's disease.See his journey and path to politics in photos.
">The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a towering civil rights icon who battled alongside Martin Luther King Jr., negotiated global hostage releases, and shamed corporations for their lack of corporate diversity and failure to support voting rights, has died. He was 84. Jackson was hospitalized on Nov. 12 following a lengthy battle with the neuromuscular disease progressive supranuclear palsy, a condition similar to Parkinson's disease.See his journey and path to politics in photos.
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Reverend Jesse Jackson (C) leads demonstrators down State Street to protest the death of Laquan McDonald and the alleged cover-up that followed on Dec. 6, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke shot and killed 17-year-old McDonald on Oct. 20, 2014, hitting him with 16 bullets. Van Dyke was charged with murder more than a year after the shooting after a judge ordered the release to the public of a video which showed McDonald backing away from Van Dyke while being shot.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rDkXZ5CJZGU6.j7vG4qC2Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/460213d6809c51858fc06f901744f0ce class=caas-img data-headline="Jesse Jackson dies at 84. Follow his journey to civil rights leader" data-caption="
Reverend Jesse Jackson (C) leads demonstrators down State Street to protest the death of Laquan McDonald and the alleged cover-up that followed on Dec. 6, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke shot and killed 17-year-old McDonald on Oct. 20, 2014, hitting him with 16 bullets. Van Dyke was charged with murder more than a year after the shooting after a judge ordered the release to the public of a video which showed McDonald backing away from Van Dyke while being shot.
">Reverend Jesse Jackson (C) leads demonstrators down State Street to protest the death of Laquan McDonald and the alleged cover-up that followed on Dec. 6, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke shot and killed 17-year-old McDonald on Oct. 20, 2014, hitting him with 16 bullets. Van Dyke was charged with murder more than a year after the shooting after a judge ordered the release to the public of a video which showed McDonald backing away from Van Dyke while being shot.
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1 / 43Jesse Jackson dies at 84. Follow his journey to civil rights leader
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a towering civil rights icon who battled alongside Martin Luther King Jr., negotiated global hostage releases, and shamed corporations for their lack of corporate diversity and failure to support voting rights, has died. He was 84. Jackson was hospitalized on Nov. 12 following a lengthy battle with the neuromuscular disease progressive supranuclear palsy, a condition similar to Parkinson's disease.See his journey and path to politics in photos.
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See Jesse Jackson with celebrities, athletes
1 / 38See Jesse Jackson mingle with athletes and celebrities through the yearsSinger Aretha Franklin sits court side with Reverend Jesse Jackson during the NBA basketball game between the Detroit Pistons and Miami Heat in Auburn Hills, Michigan Feb. 11, 2011.
Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected] or on X @katecperez_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: See Jesse Jackson's memorable life in photos, video
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