The Reverend Jesse Jackson, a towering figure in the American civil rights movement and a two-time presidential candidate, passed away peacefully aged 84.
His family confirmed he died surrounded by loved ones in Chicago. While a specific cause of death was not released, Jackson had been battling Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a rare neurological disorder diagnosed in late 2025, following a 2017 Parkinson’s diagnosis.
Born in segregated South Carolina, Jackson rose to prominence as a protégé of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. and founded the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. His historic 1984 and 1988 presidential bids broke racial barriers, mobilising millions of voters. Beyond US politics, Jackson was a global bridge-builder; he was one of the chief guests of the Asian Achievers Awards (AAA) in 2013, hosted by Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar where in his speech he mentioned how grateful he feels and reflected his deep solidarity with the British Asian community. He has also been part of the Asian Voice Political and Public Life Awards (AVPPL).His legacy remains a cornerstone of the fight for human rights worldwide.
