National Urban League Mourns the Passing of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.
NEW YORK (February 17, 2026) — National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial issued the following statement in response to the passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.:
"The nation has lost a giant of American history, a fearless freedom fighter, and one of the most consequential leaders of the modern civil rights movement.
"For more than six decades, Rev. Jackson stood at the center of the struggle for civil rights, economic justice, voting rights, peace, and human dignity. As a teenage protégé of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., he bore witness to history at its most triumphant and its most tragic, including the assassination of Dr. King in 1968. In the aftermath of that unspeakable loss, when many wondered whether the movement could endure, Jesse Jackson’s voice thundered forth—undaunted, unapologetic, and unwavering—carrying the clarion call for justice into a new generation.
"Rev. Jackson’s tireless advocacy reshaped America’s moral and political landscape. Through the founding of People United to Serve Humanity—Operation PUSH—in 1971, and later the Rainbow Coalition, he created enduring institutions dedicated to economic empowerment, corporate accountability, and multicultural coalition-building. The Rainbow PUSH Coalition became a blueprint for inclusive democracy, proving that progress is forged not in isolation, but through unity across race, class, faith, and geography.
"The National Urban League and Rainbow PUSH Coalition have long shared a common mission and a deep bond of purpose. Together, we have fought to expand opportunity, dismantle systemic barriers, and ensure that African Americans and other marginalized communities have a fair shot at the American Dream. Jesse Jackson understood, as we do, that elected office is not merely a seat of power, but a platform to advance justice and improve lives.
"His historic presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988 were watershed moments in American politics. They were not symbolic gestures—they were transformative movements that expanded the electorate, elevated progressive ideas, and shattered long-standing barriers. I was proud to serve as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in both years and to cast my vote for Jesse Jackson. His 1984 keynote address, calling on our nation to “feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the homeless, teach the illiterate, and provide jobs for the jobless,” inspired a generation of leaders—including myself—and continues to resonate today.
"By finishing third in 1984 and second in 1988, Rev. Jackson laid the groundwork for future leaders and future victories, helping to make possible what once seemed unimaginable. His impact is woven into the fabric of American democracy.
"Of the generation that took up the mantle directly from Dr. King, Jesse Jackson stood among the last standard-bearers—relentless in his pursuit of justice, fearless in speaking truth to power, and resolute in his belief that America could be better than it was. He created what he often called “productive tension,” forcing the nation to confront its conscience and act.
"Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. was more than a civil rights leader. He was a mentor, a movement builder, a coalition maker, and a moral compass for our nation. His legacy lives on in the millions he inspired, the institutions he built, and the doors he helped open for generations to come.
"On behalf of the National Urban League, we extend our deepest condolences to the Jackson family, to the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and to all who were touched by his extraordinary life. As we honor his memory, let us recommit ourselves to the unfinished work he so powerfully advanced."