Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson dies

The Rev Jesse L Jackson, a protege of the Dr Martin Luther King Jr and two-time presidential candidate who led the civil rights movement for decades after Dr King’s assassination, has died on Tuesday 17 February. He was 84.

Martyn Day said; “I was very sorry to hear of the passing of Rev Jesse Jackson, he was a legendary fighter for human rights across the globe, and I was privileged to meet him in Parliament shortly after my election.  Thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”

Rev Jackson led a lifetime of crusades in the United States and abroad, advocating for the poor and underrepresented on issues from voting rights and job opportunities to education and health care. In these dark times his voice will be missed.