Rev. Jesse Jackson, Civil Rights Icon, Dies at 84

The longtime leader of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition was remembered as a 'servant leader' who championed the oppressed and overlooked.

Feb. 19, 2026 at 5:15pm

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The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a civil rights icon and founder of the Kenwood-based Rainbow/PUSH coalition, died on Tuesday at the age of 84. Jackson was a protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and continued the fight for social justice and civil rights through his coalition, campaigning twice unsuccessfully for president. Tributes poured in from across the city and country, with Jackson remembered as a 'servant leader' who championed the oppressed, voiceless and overlooked around the world.

Why it matters

As one of the last great leaders of the modern civil rights movement, Jackson's passing marks the end of an era. He was a towering figure who dedicated his life to fighting for racial equality and social justice, leaving a lasting impact on the city of Chicago and the nation as a whole.

The details

Jackson, a Baptist minister born in South Carolina, was a protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches. He continued King's fight for civil rights through the Rainbow/PUSH coalition, campaigning twice unsuccessfully for president. Jackson stepped down as the president of Rainbow/PUSH in 2023 as his health declined due to a rare neurological disorder.

  • Jackson died on Tuesday morning at the age of 84.
  • Jackson recently spent weeks in the hospital for progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological disorder.
  • Jackson stepped down as the president of Rainbow/PUSH in 2023.

The players

Rev. Jesse Jackson

A civil rights icon and founder of the Kenwood-based Rainbow/PUSH coalition, who was a protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and continued the fight for social justice and civil rights.

Martin Luther King Jr.

The renowned civil rights leader who mentored Jesse Jackson and participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches.

Bradley Akubuiro

A former policy advisor for Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH Coalition who considered Jackson a mentor.

Junelle Speller

A South Shore resident who was Jackson's neighbor for about a decade and considered him an extension of her family.

Carolyn Dunbar

A 70-year-old University Park resident who grew up with portraits of King, Kennedy, and Jackson in her living room, and helped out with Jackson's Operation Breadbasket group.

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What they’re saying

“America needs his voice right now. We are losing a leader at a time when it's unclear who's going to pick up that mantle.”

— Bradley Akubuiro, Former policy advisor, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition

“Once I stepped out of the car, something overcame me, like I was at a funeral. One of the last great leaders of the modern 20th century — gone. For me, it hurts like he was just in my living room, part of my family. He touched so many people.”

— Carolyn Dunbar

“Our young people don't understand what we went through just to get the vote, just to live in decent housing, just to get a decent job, a decent car. These young people today don't realize the shoulders that they aren't even standing on, they're kind of turning their backs.”

— Carolyn Dunbar

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.