CONGRESSWOMAN CLARKE MOURNS THE PASSING OF POLITICAL ACTIVIST & CIVIL RIGHTS TITAN, REVEREND JESSE JACKSON

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 17, 2026

MEDIA CONTACT:

e: [email protected]

c: 202.913.0126

BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) released the following statement:

"I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson, who served this country and his community proudly as an advocate and change agent for civil rights, justice, and human dignity.

"Rev. Jackson dedicated his life to building a more just and equitable America. From his early work alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders to founding the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Rev. Jackson was monumental in pushing for equality and rights for the Black community. He ran historic presidential campaigns that expanded political participation for Black Americans and marginalized communities, under the belief that our nation could and should do better.

"As a daughter of Caribbean immigrants and a public servant representing the vibrant, diverse communities of Brooklyn, I have long stood on the shoulders of Reverend Jackson's courage and conviction. He showed us what fearless advocacy looks like, and the sacrifice it entails. He taught us that justice requires persistence, faith, and an unshakable belief in the power of the people.

"Jesse understood that civil rights are human rights, and that economic justice, voting rights, labor rights, and access to opportunity are all intertwined. He used his voice to speak truth to power, to demand accountability, and to empower those too often pushed aside due to race and socioeconomic status. Not only did he use his voice, but he led with action and conviction.

"His life was a testament to faith in action. His legacy lives on in every ballot we cast, every barrier we break, and in every young person who dares to believe that their voice matters.

"My prayers are with Reverend Jackson's family, including my dear friend and devoted colleague, Congressman Jonathan Jackson of Illinois, as well as his many loved ones and the countless other lives he touched across this nation and around the world. May we honor him not only in words, but in continued progress toward the justice he so relentlessly pursued.

"Well done, thy good and faithful servant. May he rest in eternal power."

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