US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson dies aged 84

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by By News AgenciesFebruary 17, 2026 at 10:55 AM

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Civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson died peacefully at the age of 84 on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Jackson, a close associate of Martin Luther King Jr., rose to prominence during the 1960s civil rights movement and dedicated his life to advocating for justice, equality, and human rights for Black Americans and other minorities. He was present when MLK was assassinated in 1968. After King's death, Jackson founded Operation PUSH in Chicago to improve economic, social, and political conditions for Black people. He twice ran for the Democratic presidential nomination and remained a prominent voice for the oppressed and overlooked throughout his life.

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Washington, DC 30% Memphis 30% Al Jazeera 30% Lorraine Hotel 40% Black Lives Matter 40% Democratic Party 40% Operation PUSH 50% United States ×470% Martin Luther King Jr ×580% Jesse Jackson ×6100%

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jesse jackson 100% civil rights leader 90% civil rights movement 80% martin luther king jr 70% black americans 60% social justice 50% equality 50% presidential nomination 40%