Photos: Rev. Jesse Jackson's Decades in Seattle

The civil rights leader visited the city many times over the years.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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The Seattle Times has published a collection of photos documenting the Rev. Jesse Jackson's visits to Seattle over the decades. Jackson, a prominent civil rights activist who died on Tuesday, was a frequent visitor to the city and was photographed by Seattle Times staff at various events and locations.

Why it matters

Rev. Jesse Jackson was a towering figure in the civil rights movement, and his visits to Seattle highlighted his ongoing efforts to advocate for racial justice and equality. The photos provide a visual record of his presence and impact in the city over many years.

The details

The photos in the collection span Jackson's visits to Seattle from the 1980s through the 2010s. They show him speaking at rallies, marching with local activists, meeting with community leaders, and visiting iconic Seattle landmarks like the Space Needle.

  • Rev. Jesse Jackson first visited Seattle in the 1980s.
  • He continued to visit the city regularly over the following decades.

The players

Rev. Jesse Jackson

A prominent civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate who dedicated his life to advocating for racial justice and equality.

The Seattle Times

A major daily newspaper serving the Seattle metropolitan area, which published the photo collection documenting Rev. Jackson's visits to the city.

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The takeaway

The photos serve as a visual testament to Rev. Jesse Jackson's enduring commitment to civil rights and his lasting impact on the city of Seattle and the broader movement for racial equality.