Rev. Jackson’s dedication to human rights played a pivotal role in shaping a worldwide movement for freedom and justice
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) remembers the life of famed civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, who passed away this morning at age 84.
Jackson, who became a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1965, worked alongside his friend, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., until King’s death in April 1968. Jackson went on to found the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and serve as a renowned religious, political and civil rights leader in the U.S. and abroad for decades to come. Jackson will be remembered for his steadfast commitment to justice for all people in America.
“Today, we mourn the loss of a profound giant in the Civil Rights Movement, Rev. Jesse Jackson. He understood that the continued pursuit of equality, economic justice and a fair and inclusive democracy must be rooted in a shared respect for human dignity — and sustained direct action,” said Bryan Fair, interim president and CEO, SPLC. “Rev. Jackson’s commitment to this pursuit never wavered, and we are immensely grateful for the legacy he leaves for generations to come.
“Rev. Jackson was known as the ‘Great Unifier.’ He had a powerful gift for building bridges across differences and understood that movements are made of coalitions — across race, religion, background and belief. As we look to the future, Rev. Jackson’s example should continue to guide the work of all of us who believe in civil and human rights and the imperative for social change in the Deep South and beyond. We must build on the achievements of trailblazers like Rev. Jackson as we continue the march for justice and demand a world where everyone can thrive,” Fair concluded.
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About the Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people. For more information, visit www.splcenter.org.