Local leaders remember life of Rev. Jesse Jackson
FILE – Rev. Jesse Jackson in Action 8 News studio, Friday, March 3, 2017 – Photo from WAKA Action 8 News
Rev. Jesse Jackson touched many lives in our part of Alabama over the years. He is being remember by local leaders after he died today at the age of 84.
Jackson was a protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King and became a leader of the Civil Rights Movement for decades after King was assassinated in 1968. A two-time presidential candidate in 1984 and 1988, Jackson led a lifetime of political crusades.
FILE – Rev. Jesse Jackson with U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Alabama) – Photo from Office of U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell
Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Alabama) issued the following statement on the passing of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson:
“My heart breaks for the passing of Civil Rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. Rev. Jackson’s life was a testament to the power of faith, moral conviction, and unrelenting activism. A beloved spiritual and Civil Rights leader, his voice uplifted countless communities and inspired change across generations.
“Whether fighting for voting rights, economic opportunity, or the dignity of every person, Rev. Jackson’s commitment to justice helped sustain the momentum of The Movement. His moral leadership challenged our nation to live up to its highest ideals, and his courage reminded us that change requires both persistence and compassion.
“Rev. Jackson taught us to ‘keep hope alive’ – to keep pushing, keep organizing, and keep believing that justice is within reach if we remain steadfast. He understood that voting rights are the lifeblood of our democracy, and he never shied away from calling out injustice wherever it lived. His work helped expand opportunity for millions, and his legacy will continue to shape our nation for generations to come.
“My heartfelt condolences are with the family of Rev. Jackson. May his legacy continue to guide us, his spirit continue to strengthen us, and his vision for a brighter future continue to move us forward.
May he rest in peace and power.”
Photo from the City of Montgomery
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed shared these thoughts:
“Today, my heart is heavy as I reflect on the passing of Jesse Jackson. This is more than the loss of a public figure , it is the loss of a giant whose footsteps shaped the path so many of us now walk.
“As a child, I had a front row seat watching you run for President of the United States. I didn’t yet understand policy or politics, but I understood what it meant to see boldness, faith, and conviction on display. I understood what it felt like to witness possibility.
“That moment left a permanent mark on me. Watching you stand with courage and speak with purpose planted a seed in my heart; a belief that I, too, could lead. That belief eventually guided me to run for mayor of this city and serve with compassion and commitment.
“Your life was a testament to perseverance. Your voice carried hope. Your presence commanded dignity. And your passing reminds us that while leaders may leave this earth, their impact does not.
“Rest in power, Reverend. Your legacy lives in every door opened, every barrier broken, and every young person who now dares to dream bigger because you did first.
“Some lives are measured in years. Others are measured in the doors they open for generations.”
U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures (D-Alabama) released this statement:
“My introduction to Jesse Jackson, Sr. was not as the Civil Rights champion and icon, but as a friend of my father. My dad, Michael Figures, ran Jesse Jackson’s Alabama campaign during his historic run for president in 1984.
“For decades after my father died, Mr. Jackson would always greet me with, ‘How’s Vivian?’ [my mother] before proceeding to tell me stories about my dad. As a child, I didn’t fully understand the proximity to history I had in being connected to Mr. Jackson, but as I grew older, I appreciated it more and more. This was a man who marched and led alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., John Lewis, Fred Shuttlesworth, and countless other civil rights foot soldiers. This was a man who fought tirelessly to keep hope — and the dream of equality — alive.
“Jesse Jackson always showed up. Whether in Mobile, AL to protest with my father after the murder of Michael Donald, or in Iran to free American hostages when the U.S. government couldn’t do it, or in Selma every year to commemorate Bloody Sunday. Jesse Jackson advocated for America to be its best self. There’s a part of me that wonders if Mr. Jackson and my father ever thought in their wildest dreams that over 40 years after they met, they would have children serving in the U.S. Congress. But I know that answer would be yes, because that’s exactly the type of future they fought for.
“I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Jacqueline, and the entire Jackson family for the loss of this giant in the fight for civil rights and equality for all.”
