The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Mourns the Loss of Civil Rights Icon Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 17, 2026
Contact: Brittany G. Cummings, [email protected]

Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement:

“The Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr., did not just participate in the story of our nation’s struggle for justice, he shaped it, constantly pushing America to fulfill its promise of equality for all people. He was rightly called the ‘Conscience of the Nation.’ He has gone home and as we mourn our loss, we celebrate his many contributions to a lifetime spent working to unite a rainbow of people for a diverse, equitable and inclusive future.

From his foundational work with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and Operation Breadbasket, he dedicated his life to economic empowerment and direct action, a mission that continued through his decades of meaningful leadership at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Under his guidance, Rainbow PUSH became a beacon for comprehensive social change, linking economic justice with civil rights and education.

Rev. Jackson fundamentally redefined our national politics. His historic 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns were revolutionary, registering millions of new voters and building an unprecedented Rainbow Coalition that brought together diverse communities—across race, class, and gender—to advocate for shared human rights priorities. His savvy guidance and engagement with national and international leaders, including his role as a diplomatic envoy, demonstrated a commitment to peace and justice that extended far beyond U.S. borders.

His presence was invaluable to the work of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. As the head of a critical partner to our coalition, Rev. Jackson was a constant, powerful voice in the halls of power, advocating tirelessly for the enforcement of civil rights laws, the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act, and the expansion of economic opportunity. His commitment to bringing marginalized voices to the negotiating table helped guide and unify our collective efforts.

We mourn the loss of an icon, a relentless advocate, and a dear friend to our movement. While his physical presence is gone, his legacy—the millions of voters registered, the leaders mentored, the lives economically empowered, and the spirit of the Rainbow Coalition—will continue to guide the work of The Leadership Conference and every organization committed to achieving justice in America. We send our deepest condolences to the Jackson family and the entire Rainbow PUSH Coalition community.”

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 240 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

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