Friends and family say goodbye to Reverend Jesse Jackson: Social media reactions to the civil rights leader’s death
Reverend Jesse Jackson passed away on Tuesday drawing eulogies across social media for the U.S. civil rights icon.
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.”
New York, NY (February 17, 2026) - “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 Reverend Dr. Jesse Louis Jackson was not simply a civil rights leader; he was a movement unto… pic.twitter.com/vYaxYEUFih
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) February 17, 2026
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.”
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.
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) February 17, 2026
With… pic.twitter.com/ryC3aOqBb5
The following are other messages that have be posted on social media for Reverend Jesse Jackson
“Michelle and I were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of a true giant”
Michelle and I were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of a true giant, the Reverend Jesse Jackson. We will always be grateful for Jesse's lifetime of service, and the friendship our families share. We stood on his shoulders. We send our deepest condolences to the Jackson… pic.twitter.com/Q68r4IJt9U
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 17, 2026
“The Nelson Mandela Foundation joins the world in mourning the passing of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr.”
The Nelson Mandela Foundation Mourns the passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.
— NelsonMandela (@NelsonMandela) February 17, 2026
The Nelson Mandela Foundation joins the world in mourning the passing of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., a towering figure in the global struggle for civil rights, human dignity and justice. Our… pic.twitter.com/cE8ADPP47S
“One of America’s greatest patriot”
Reverend Jesse Jackson was one of America’s greatest patriots. He spent his life summoning all of us to fulfill the promise of America and building the coalitions to make that promise real.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) February 17, 2026
A son of Greenville, South Carolina, Reverend Jackson first rose to the national stage as… pic.twitter.com/yLHr9N6hDy
“Rev. Jesse Jackson baptized me as a baby”
This photo is from the day Rev. Jesse Jackson baptized me as a baby. Years later, on the day of my father’s memorial service, he asked me a question that changed my life forever.
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) February 17, 2026
As we got into the limo, he looked at me and said, ‘What are you going to do now?’
I told him I was… pic.twitter.com/uiaV6JdCJm
“It was an honour to march alongside him”
I am very sad to hear that Jesse Jackson has died.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) February 17, 2026
An extraordinary man who dedicated his life to the empowerment of others.
It was an honour to march alongside him against the Iraq War in 2003. May his legacy inspire us to strive for a world of dignity and peace for all. pic.twitter.com/5AewjhLg7F
“America has lost a titan in the struggle for civil rights and racial justice”
America has lost a titan in the struggle for civil rights and racial justice. From his days at the side of Dr. King, to his moral leadership in this century, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. spent his life pushing our nation closer to its own ideal. As we pray for his family and loved… pic.twitter.com/TdTdFK7bkW
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) February 17, 2026
“Today, we honor a giant whose voice, courage, and love for our people shaped generations”
#RestInPower to Rev. Jesse Jackson. Today, we honor a giant whose voice, courage, and love for our people shaped generations. Reverend Jesse Jackson was not only a civil rights icon—he was family to the NAACP.
— NAACP (@NAACP) February 17, 2026
His legacy sits at the heart of our work and at the center of this… pic.twitter.com/onhLwzPi0g
“A titan of the Civil Rights Movement”
#JesseJackson, a titan of the Civil Rights Movement, who stood with Martin Luther King Jr, carried the fight to the ballot as a presidential candidate, negotiated the release of hostages across the globe, and boldly challenged corporations on diversity & voting rights, has died. pic.twitter.com/Zqa9vrUOrv
— HBCU Alum (@hbcualum) February 17, 2026
“I was fired from Amazon. Rev. Jessie Jackson called me out of the blue”
6 years ago when I was fired from Amazon. Rev. Jessie Jackson called me out of the blue. pic.twitter.com/CRSvfxAYkE
— Christian Smalls (@Shut_downAmazon) February 17, 2026
“My heartfelt condolences & sympathies”
I extend my heartfelt condolences & sympathies to the family and comrades of the Late Rev. #JesseJackson, a #US civil rights leader. A fearless proponent of #justice, #equality & #freedom who fought tirelessly for a better world. May his soul rest in eternal peace! pic.twitter.com/yLwf9bOgng
— Amb. Albert SHINGIRO (@AShingiro) February 17, 2026
“Every child is somebody”
I don’t know who needs to hear Jesse Jackson leading the kids on Sesame Street in this beautiful call-and-response reminding them that every child is somebody, but here it is pic.twitter.com/G30CLsmBUu
— Ben Phillips (@benphillips76) February 17, 2026
“Today we honor the life, leadership, and everlasting legacy of Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson Sr.”
Today we honor the life, leadership, and everlasting legacy of Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson Sr., civil rights icon, global humanitarian, political trailblazer, and a fearless voice for Black dignity. 🖤 pic.twitter.com/7O3GhBevhF
— BET (@BET) February 17, 2026
This article will be updated as more eulogies come in.
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