By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Nkiruka Nnorom, with Company Report
President Bola Tinubu has joined world leaders, together with United States President Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Joe Biden, in mourning the loss of life of iconic civil rights chief, Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., who handed away on the age of 84.
They described him as a titan of the civil rights motion, a transformative ethical voice and certainly one of America’s biggest patriots whose activism reshaped the political and social panorama of america and impressed struggles for justice throughout the globe.
Born on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson emerged as a distinguished determine within the American civil rights motion within the Sixties. As a detailed affiliate of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he labored inside the Southern Christian Management Convention, SCLC, and stood on the frontlines of protests demanding racial equality, voting rights and financial justice.
Following King’s assassination in 1968, Jackson continued the wrestle, later founding the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, an organisation devoted to social justice, political empowerment and financial inclusion for African-People and different marginalised communities.
Saying his loss of life, his household mentioned in a press release: “It’s with profound unhappiness that we announce the passing of civil rights chief and founding father of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Honorable Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr.
“He died peacefully on Tuesday morning, surrounded by his household. His unwavering dedication to justice, equality and human rights helped form a worldwide motion for freedom and dignity.
“A tireless change agent, he elevated the voices of the unvoiced — from his presidential campaigns within the Nineteen Eighties to mobilising thousands and thousands to register to vote — leaving an indelible mark on historical past.”
Jackson made historical past along with his groundbreaking presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988, turning into one of many first African-People to mount viable bids for the White Home. Although unsuccessful, his campaigns broadened political participation and paved the best way for future generations of Black leaders.
He was a servant-leader — Tinubu
In a personally signed assertion, President Tinubu described Jackson as a servant-leader whose activism alongside Dr. King helped form the worldwide wrestle for racial equality and social justice.
Tinubu famous that Jackson developed from a preacher and grassroots organiser right into a nationwide and worldwide image of resistance in opposition to injustice and inequality.
Reflecting on his private expertise, Tinubu recalled residing in Chicago as a pupil within the Seventies — a interval when Jackson was actively main civil rights campaigns within the metropolis.
“I witnessed firsthand his dedication to justice and equity,” Tinubu mentioned, describing the late cleric as a devoted servant of God and humanity who helped steer American society nearer to its founding promise of equality.
He credited Jackson and his contemporaries for laying the groundwork that finally led to the election of Barack Obama as the primary Black President of america. In line with him, Jackson’s presidential bids in 1984 and 1988 “inflicted the primary cracks” in what he described as America’s political glass ceiling.
Tinubu additionally highlighted Jackson’s enduring ties with Africa. He famous the cleric’s vocal opposition to apartheid in South Africa and his advocacy for the discharge of Nelson Mandela and different leaders of the African Nationwide Congress.
He was a power of nature — Trump
President Donald Trump additionally paid tribute, describing Jackson as “a power of nature” and a person with grit, character and road smarts.
In a submit on his Reality Social platform, Trump referred to Jackson as a good friend and recalled offering workplace house in New York for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
“He was very gregarious — somebody who really cherished individuals,” Trump wrote.
“He cherished his household enormously, and to them I ship my deepest sympathies and condolences. Jesse shall be missed.”
Trump’s tribute underscored Jackson’s capacity to interact throughout political divides, even whereas remaining firmly rooted in progressive causes.
Decided and tenacious — Biden
Former President Joe Biden described Jackson as “a person of God and of the individuals,” whose life was outlined by dedication and tenacity.
In a submit on X, Biden wrote: “Decided and tenacious. Unafraid of the work to redeem the soul of our nation.”
Biden mentioned he had seen firsthand how Jackson helped lead America by means of moments of tumult and triumph, at all times guided by optimism and a relentless insistence on what is true and simply.
“Reverend Jackson influenced generations of People and numerous elected leaders, together with presidents,” Biden mentioned. “He believed in his bones the promise of America — that we’re all created equal within the picture of God and need to be handled equally all through our lives.”
Whereas acknowledging that america has not at all times lived as much as that promise, Biden mentioned Jackson devoted his life to making sure the nation by no means deserted it.
He and First Girl Jill Biden prolonged condolences to the Jackson household and members of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
One among America’s biggest patriots — Harris
Former Vice President, Kamala Harris described Jackson as “certainly one of America’s biggest patriots.”
Recalling her days as a younger regulation pupil in Oakland, California, Harris mentioned she proudly displayed a “Jesse Jackson for President” sticker on her automotive throughout his Nineteen Eighties campaigns.
“As I drove throughout the Bay Bridge, individuals from each stroll of life would give me a thumbs up or honk in assist,” she wrote on X. “These small interactions exemplified Reverend Jackson’s life work — lifting up the dignity of working individuals, constructing neighborhood and strengthening our democracy.”
Tributes from civil rights leaders
Veteran civil rights activist Al Sharpton, who labored carefully with Jackson after the assassination of Dr. King in 1968, referred to as him “a consequential and transformative chief who modified this nation and the world.
“He formed public coverage and altered legal guidelines. He saved the dream alive and taught younger kids from damaged houses, like me, that we don’t have damaged spirits,” Sharpton wrote.
Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock described Jackson as “certainly one of America’s nice ethical voices,” saying his eloquence and rhythmic rhetoric reminded People that equal justice requires vigilance and sacrifice.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg mentioned America had misplaced a titan within the wrestle for civil rights and racial justice.
Stacey Abrams praised Jackson’s braveness and audacious spirit, saying he expanded the nation’s capability to think about true unity and deepened its dedication to justice.
Bernice King, daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., mentioned Jackson devoted his life to lifting these pushed to society’s margins and constructing inclusive coalitions throughout race, class and religion.
The submit Tinubu, Trump, Harris, others mourn as Jesse Jackson dies at 84 appeared first on Vanguard News.
