WASHINGTON: The Reverend Jesse Jackson, the civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate who helped reshape American politics between the era of Martin Luther King Jr. and the election of Barack Obama, has died at 84.
His family said in a statement that he “died peacefully, ” but did not give a cause.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Civil Rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Honourable Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. He died peacefully on Tuesday morning, surrounded by his family, ” the family said.
Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum.
Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama said they were “deeply saddened to hear about the passing of a true giant, the Reverend Jesse Jackson.” They added: “For more than 60 years, Reverend Jackson helped lead some of the most significant movements for change in human history.”