Civil Rights Icon Jesse Jackson Dies at 84

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Reverend Jesse Jackson, a towering figure in the American civil rights movement, died Tuesday morning at the age of 84 at his home in Chicago, surrounded by loved ones. Jackson's activism began in the 1960s, when he participated in marches for change alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. After King's assassination, Jackson was seen as a successor in the movement.

Why it matters

Jackson's passing marks the end of an era, as he served as a crucial link between the civil rights generation led by Martin Luther King Jr. and subsequent movements for social and economic justice. His ability to mobilize voters and advocate for the marginalized has left a lasting legacy on American politics and activism.

The details

Mr. Jackson's activism began early, with a protest against segregation at a whites-only library in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1960. He later transferred to North Carolina A&T, where he was elected student body president. In 1966, he took the reins of Operation Breadbasket, a Chicago-based program focused on economic empowerment. Mr. Jackson twice sought the Democratic nomination for president, in 1984 and 1988, crafting a populist message that foreshadowed Barack Obama's successful 2008 campaign. Even in later years, Mr. Jackson remained committed to social justice, advocating for economic boycotts as late as 2018 to address food deserts.

• Mr. Jackson died on Tuesday morning at the age of 84.
• In 1960, Mr. Jackson protested segregation at a whites-only library in Greenville, South Carolina.
• In 1966, Mr. Jackson took the reins of Operation Breadbasket in Chicago.
• Mr. Jackson ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 1984 and 1988.
• As late as 2018, Mr. Jackson remained active in advocating for economic boycotts to address food deserts.

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