Hundreds Gather at UWM to Hear Angela Davis Speak Amid Jesse Jackson's Passing

The civil rights icon's appearance coincided with the death of another pillar of the 20th-century civil rights movement.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Civil rights icon Angela Davis spoke to a packed audience at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Tuesday, the same day the community learned of the passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson. The event drew community members hoping to hear a message that resonates with a young audience, as they reflected on the ongoing fight for social justice and the importance of continuing to amplify marginalized voices.

Why it matters

The timing of Davis's appearance, coinciding with Jackson's death, added emotional weight to the evening, as the two were pillars of the 20th-century civil rights era. The event highlighted the importance of preserving the legacy of these civil rights activists and inspiring the next generation to continue the fight for equality and justice.

The details

Davis, a Marxist and Feminist political activist who became internationally famous in the 1970s after being accused of playing a part in an attempted prison escape where four people were killed, was acquitted of the charges. Today, she continues her fight, focused on the prison-industrial complex. The event drew community members like Olivia Lopez and Alexis Cheatham, who emphasized the importance of continuing to uplift marginalized voices and cherishing the living legends like Angela Davis.

  • Angela Davis spoke at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • Rev. Jesse Jackson passed away on the same day as Davis's appearance.

The players

Angela Davis

A Marxist and Feminist political activist who became internationally famous in the 1970s after being accused of playing a part in an attempted prison escape, but was later acquitted. She continues her fight, focused on the prison-industrial complex.

Rev. Jesse Jackson

A pillar of the 20th-century civil rights movement, who founded the Rainbow Push Coalition to fight for a unified struggle against oppression.

Olivia Lopez

A community member who attended the event, hoping to hear a message that resonates with a young audience and to continue the fight for social justice.

Alexis Cheatham

A UW-Milwaukee alumna who emphasized the importance of continuing to amplify marginalized voices and uplift civil rights activists.

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What they’re saying

“We are inheriting the baton, so that we need to drive forward so we're not stagnant, so that's why I feel like it's important for young people to be here.”

— Olivia Lopez (tmj4.com)

“Being able to continue to uplift these voices, uplift people of color, women of color, the civil activists, the people that are really getting out there doing the work.”

— Alexis Cheatham, UW-Milwaukee alumna (tmj4.com)

“It's just heartbreaking to lose another civil rights activist from that time.”

— Alexis Cheatham, UW-Milwaukee alumna (tmj4.com)

“We have to realize there's power in forces and unity and there's a lot of forces right now that are trying to drive wedges between a lot of different groups of people who have common struggles.”

— Olivia Lopez (tmj4.com)

“It just reminds me to cherish the living legends like Angela Davis.”

— Olivia Lopez (tmj4.com)

The takeaway

This event highlighted the ongoing importance of the civil rights movement and the need to continue amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. As the community mourns the loss of another civil rights icon in Jesse Jackson, it serves as a reminder to cherish and learn from the living legends like Angela Davis, who continue to fight for justice and equality.