US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson dies at 84, leaving legacy of political firsts

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Reuters,Agence France-PresseFebruary 17, 2026 at 11:53 AM

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Jesse Jackson, a prominent US civil rights leader, Baptist minister, and two-time Democratic presidential nominee, has died at the age of 84. Jackson, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2017, was a close associate of Martin Luther King Jr. and a significant figure in the fight for racial justice. He ran for president in the 1980s, paving the way for Barack Obama's historic election. Throughout his career, Jackson was involved in civil rights activism, liberal causes, and political endeavors, also serving as a mediator in international disputes. His death occurs amidst concerns about the dismantling of civil rights progress in the US.

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Chicago ×240% Democratic Party 50% Donald Trump 60% United States 70% Martin Luther King Jnr ×280% Jesse Jackson ×6100%

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jesse jackson 100% civil rights 90% political activism 70% martin luther king jnr 60% presidential nomination 60% social progress 50% racial justice 50% liberal missions 40% parkinson's disease 40%