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Reverend Jesse Jackson, US civil rights icon and two-time presidential candidate, has died at age 84.
Known for his activism and political influence, Jackson marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and dedicated his life to fighting for the civil rights of marginalized groups, both in the United States and abroad.
According to a family statement, Jackson “died peacefully Tuesday morning surrounded by family.” “His unwavering commitment to justice, equality and human rights helped drive a global movement for freedom and dignity”, recalls the statement.
As a young man, Jackson became a member of King’s circle and was with him when he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1968.
That same year, Jackson was ordained by Reverend Clay Evans, although he dropped out of Chicago Theological Seminary when he was three credits short of graduating in order to work in the civil rights movement. Later, in 2000, he received a Master of Divinity degree from the same seminary, based on his career and experience.
Over the years, he has received more than 40 honorary doctorates from renowned universities across the country, according to , the Chicago-based organization he led for decades.
