NEWS

ST. LOUIS, MO — This morning, news broke of the passing of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, a lifelong champion of social, racial, and economic justice. Jackson spent his life dedicated to freedom, justice, and equality for all people. As the founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, he leaves behind a legacy of more than half a century of organizing and activism for a truly just world.

In response to this news, Congresswoman Cori Bush released the following statement:

"I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson. Reverend Jackson spent his life as a dedicated advocate, organizer, and changemaker who played an irreplaceable role in the struggle for civil rights. His lifetime of service in registering voters, organizing direct action protests, and educating generations of leaders serves as an inspiration for those of us here in St. Louis, across the country, and around the world who carry on his movement to advance the human rights of all people."

"Reverend Jackson’s lifetime of activism touched many lives, including my own. When I was a child, my father volunteered for Reverend Jackson’s presidential campaigns. I saw how his candidacy resonated with people from all walks of life as he created a multiracial coalition to champion civil rights, human rights, and human dignity. Reverend Jackson and I met for the first time when he came to Ferguson and stood alongside us as we protested for justice after the killing of Michael Brown. Years later, Reverend Jackson stood with our movement again at the US Capitol steps, when I led activists and other members of Congress as we put our bodies on the line, camping outside for four nights in a row to extend the federal residential eviction moratorium and keep millions of people in their homes. As I got to know Reverend Jackson over the years, time and time again, his dedication to the struggle for human rights served as an inspiration to myself and so many others as we stood on the shoulders of leaders like him, working to build a future where our country lives up to its highest ideals."

"What struck me most about Reverend Jackson was his ceaseless desire to support and encourage the next generation of leadership in our movement for freedom and equality. He laid the foundation for us to follow in his footsteps, and the example he set showed us what it means to take action to continue the fight for justice for all in our own lives. As he grew older, he never stopped using his presence and his voice to uplift activists and organizers who had begun to do the work that we learned to do by watching him and so many other civil rights leaders. I am incredibly grateful to have Reverend Jackson as an example of what a leader can be. At the time of his passing, my condolences go out to his family and anyone whose life was touched by his leadership and his bravery. May we honor him not just in our words, but in our actions, too."