Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights icon and two-time presidential candidate, dies at 84

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC News

Feb. 17, 2026, 4:30 AM EST / Updated Feb. 17, 2026, 4:52 AM EST


The Rev. Jesse Jackson, the longtime civil rights activist, Baptist minister and two-time presidential candidate, died Tuesday, his family said. He was 84.

"Our father was a servant leader — not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world,” the Jackson family said in a statement. “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 honor his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by.”

A cause of death was not immediately given. His family said he died peacefully surrounded by his loved ones.

He was admitted to a hospital in November and had been living for more than a decade with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), according to his Rainbow PUSH Coalition, which affects patients’ ability to walk and swallow and can lead to dangerous complications.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/obituaries/rev-jesse-jackson-civil-rights-activist-dies-rcna42408

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Just breaking and heard on the radio.

This one is heart-breaking

[GReedDiamond]

1. RIP Rev. Jesse Jackson...

...may he Rest In Power.

[niyad]

2. Rest in power, brave warrior.

[nitpicked]

3. Link to AP (long obituary)

https://apnews.com/article/jesse-jackson-dies-43abb84d2ffc76d967f9a5596ebd0be1

[gademocrat7]

4. Rest In Peace, Rev. Jesse Jackson.

A man with a true servant’s heart.

[SunSeeker]

5. ...

[sinkingfeeling]

6. So sad.

[BumRushDaShow]

7. 1972 - Sesame Street

[StarryNite]

33. That's beautiful.

[BeyondGeography]

8. He was an absolute giant

[BComplex]

9. He was a great man. I marched with him at UTx in 1970 or 1971 when he came down

for a Civil Rights march, before the Bush dynasty ruined Texas. I joined him when he cried as Barack Obama came out on stage after winning the presidency in the 2004 election. (The Rev. Jackson was on television, I was at home, but I cried with him over this long struggle nevertheless.)

[FalloutShelter]

10. Rest in Power Jesse.

This one hurts. The greatest leaders of the justice movement are leaving the planet.

RIP

[BlueKota]

11. May he rest in peace!

[DinahMoeHum]

12. Rest In Power, Rev. Jackson.

[get the red out]

13. Great American

Rev. Jackson showed what being a great American is supposed to be by opposing the Gov when it is wrong and demanding change.

[FailureToCommunicate]

14. "The good Jesse" as our family called him. I never met him, but my father marched with

Jesse and other ministers and his "Rainbow Coalition" people on the return to Edmund Pettius Bridge march and other civil rights events.

Of course we voted for Jesse for President in the 1984 and '88 primaries.

Rest In Peace Reverend Jesse.


(The "bad Jesse" was Jesse Helms at the time)

[Marthe48]

15. R.I.P.

One of my lifelong heroes.

[hamsterjill]

16. The end of an era.

Thank you, Rev. Jackson, for trying so hard. May you be at peace.

[BumRushDaShow]

17. His protege, Rev. Al Sharpton, will be keeping hope alive!

[hamsterjill]

21. My comment was to honor Reverend Jackson's hard work

I’d rather not concentrate on anyone but Rev. Jackson at this time.

[BumRushDaShow]

24. Oh I know. Rev. Jackson's 1984 campaign was my first political candidate donation when he ran for President

But I only remarked because of your "End of an era" comment and IMHO, there's never an "end", just a passing on to the next generation.

[hamsterjill]

27. Understood.

We can discuss Reverend Sharpton at another appropriate time.

[chouchou]

18. A wonderful human being. Told the truth and was happy to tell it.

[QueerDuck]

19. Rest in Peace. 🌈

[NBachers]

20. I was a Teamster on strike - Jesse came and encouraged us. I voted for each of his Presidential campaigns.

Goosebumps and tears for what Jesse Jackson represented.

[Buddyzbuddy]

22. Rest in peace, Reverend, you've earned it.

[HipChick]

23. Rest In Paradise..

[JustAnotherGen]

25. I'm a kid from

The Sesame Street, Electric Company, Reading Rainbow, 321 Contact, etc. etc. Era.

Psst - BRDS -

I am somebody. This one hurts, but he was so sick. May he rest in power and have joy wherever his spirit has flown to.

[BumRushDaShow]

30. That Sesame Street clip

made me seriously choke up.

(and especially now watching it all being "ripped away" and no one cares)

[Groundhawg]

26. Was not a fan.

[CaptainTruth]

28. RIP Rev Jackson

A great person.

[underpants]

29. ❤️

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221026983

[FakeNoose]

31. Jesse Jackson, rest in peace knowing that you will be remembered and admired

Given the recent health problems, it's probably a relief for his loved ones, knowing that Rev. Jackson is finally free from pain and physical difficulties. Prayers for this decent and holy man, and for his loved ones.

[StarryNite]

32. RIP Rev Jackson

[twodogsbarking]

34. Not unlike other peace activists the government and media treated him unfairly. He kept on regardless.

RIP and thank you kind sir.

[JohnnyRingo]

35. Sadly....

Thank you for your service Reverend

[mountain grammy]

36. Keep Hope Alive!

Rest in Peace.. great man!

[2naSalit]

37. ...

[popsdenver]

38. THIS NEWS

Should dominate the opening page of DU...................

[Clouds Passing]

39. NO! Jesse

We lost a real leader

[fantase56]

40. ...

[sheshe2]

41. RIP Rev. Jesse Jackson.

[RANDYWILDMAN]

42. Miss you Jesse

RIP