Friends and family say goodbye to Reverend Jesse Jackson: Social media reactions to the civil rights leader’s death

The world is mourning the loss of Reverend Jesse Jackson, who passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday. The icon of the U.S. civil rights movement was a protégé of Martin Luther King Jr. and quickly rose to prominence within the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) after he was selected in 1965 to begin laying the groundwork for the organization’s operations in Chicago.

The Baptist minister and humanitarian twice campaigned for the U.S. presidency and was the most successful Black candidate until Barack Obama. The former president credited the work of Jackson in paving the way for his 2008 victory.

World says goodbye to Reverend Jesse Jackson

News of the prominent civil rights leader and trailblazer’s death has prompted eulogies from friends and family. “Our father was a servant leader — not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world,” the family said in statement. “We shared him with the world, and in return, the world became part of our extended family. His unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love uplifted millions, and we ask you to honor his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by.”

Reverend Al Sharpton posted on social media: “Today, I lost the man who first called me into purpose when I was just twelve years old. And our nation lost one of its greatest moral voices.”

The youngest daughter of MLK and Coretta Scott King, Bernice King posted: “Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. devoted his life to lifting people in poverty, the marginalized, and those pushed to society’s edges. Through Operation PUSH, he pushed barriers and opened doors so Black people and other excluded communities could step into opportunity and dignity.”

The following are other messages that have be posted on social media for Reverend Jesse Jackson

“A titan of the Civil Rights Movement”

“I was fired from Amazon. Rev. Jessie Jackson called me out of the blue”

“My heartfelt condolences & sympathies”

“Every child is somebody”

“Today we honor the life, leadership, and everlasting legacy of Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson Sr.”

This article will be updated as more eulogies come in.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.