Civil Rights Leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Dies at 84

Jackson's family says he was a "servant leader" who fought for the "oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world."

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson died on Tuesday at the age of 84. In a statement reported by NPR, Jackson's family said he was a "servant leader" who fought for the "oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world." In 2015, Jackson visited Seattle and spoke with KUOW's Bill Radke about various headlines, including discussions around statues of historical figures like George Washington who were also slave owners, as well as issues of racial inequality and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Why it matters

Rev. Jesse Jackson was a prominent civil rights leader who dedicated his life to fighting for racial equality and social justice. His death marks the passing of a pioneering figure in the ongoing struggle for civil rights in America. Jackson's visit to Seattle in 2015 highlighted his continued relevance and the enduring importance of the issues he championed throughout his career.

The details

During his 2015 visit to Seattle, Jackson discussed the debate around historical statues that honored figures who were also slave owners, arguing that the inscriptions should acknowledge this history. He also spoke about the racial disparities in representation on college campuses, noting that while black students made up only 3.5% of the University of Washington's student body, they comprised around 60% of the football team and 80% of the basketball team. Jackson said black students needed more support and opportunities to excel in other academic fields beyond athletics. He also commented on the Black Lives Matter protests happening at the time, saying they were necessary to fight for equality, and lamented the lack of national attention on the high rates of gun violence and homicides in Chicago.

  • Rev. Jesse Jackson died on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • Jackson visited Seattle and spoke with KUOW in 2015.

The players

Rev. Jesse Jackson

A prominent civil rights leader who dedicated his life to fighting for racial equality and social justice in America.

Bill Radke

The host of KUOW who interviewed Rev. Jesse Jackson during his 2015 visit to Seattle.

University of Washington

The university where a large statue of George Washington, a slave owner, stands on the main campus.

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What they’re saying

“Our father was a servant leader — not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world. We shared him with the world, and in return, the world became part of our extended family.”

— Jackson's Family (NPR)

“There are those who were for abolition and those who were for slavery. The abolitionists won. There were those who were for racial segregation for law and culture. We won that battle. There were those who denied women, people of color, the youth the right to vote. We won that battle. When we fight, we win. We've never lost a battle we've fought. Never won a battle, unless we fought. So. there is a tug of war. There are those who simply profit from fear. We must get the joy of hope.”

— Rev. Jesse Jackson (KUOW)

“The writing does not mention slave master; it does not mention support for a crime against humanity. At least educate people as to who this guy was.”

— Rev. Jesse Jackson (KUOW)

“We have been cherry-picked to generate resources and generate imagery. We've gone from picking cotton balls to picking footballs.”

— Rev. Jesse Jackson (KUOW)

“Black lives do matter. People do matter. Everybody is somebody.”

— Rev. Jesse Jackson (KUOW)

What’s next

The University of Washington is expected to consider adding more context to the inscription on the George Washington statue on campus in the coming months.

The takeaway

Rev. Jesse Jackson's life and legacy as a civil rights leader serve as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for racial equality and social justice in America. His visit to Seattle highlighted the continued relevance of the issues he championed, from addressing historical symbols of oppression to ensuring equal opportunities for all.