The civil rights community and leaders worldwide are mourning the death of the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, the influential civil rights icon who died at age 84. Jackson, a protégé of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and two-time presidential candidate, leaves behind a legacy that spans decades of advocacy for racial equality and social justice.

Rev. Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., described Jackson as “a gifted negotiator and a courageous bridge-builder” who served humanity by “bringing calm into tense rooms and creating pathways where none existed.” She acknowledged the deep connections between their families, rooted in a shared commitment to justice and love.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who considered Jackson a mentor, expressed profound loss, saying, “Today, I lost the man who first called me into purpose when I was just twelve years old. And our nation lost one of its greatest moral voices.” Sharpton characterized Jackson not merely as a civil rights leader but as “a movement unto himself” who carried history in his footsteps and hope in his voice.

Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama highlighted Jackson’s role in creating opportunities for generations of African Americans. They shared a personal connection, noting that Michelle “got her first glimpse of political organizing at the Jacksons’ kitchen table when she was a teenager.” Obama acknowledged that Jackson’s historic presidential campaigns laid the foundation for his own path to the presidency.

Former President Donald Trump remembered Jackson as “a good man, with lots of personality, grit, and ‘street smarts,'” describing him as “very gregarious – Someone who truly loved people!” Trump called Jackson “a force of nature like few others before him.”

Bill and Hillary Clinton, who considered Jackson a friend for almost fifty years, reflected on his championship of human dignity and his role in creating opportunities for countless people. “Throughout it all, he kept marching to the music of his conscience, his convictions, and his causes,” they stated.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recognized Jackson’s contributions on the global stage, noting how he “lent his powerful voice to the U.N. to work against racism, against apartheid, and for human rights.”

President Joe Biden emphasized Jackson’s belief in America’s promise of equality, saying Jackson “dedicated his life to ensuring we never fully walked away from it either,” despite the nation never fully living up to that ideal.

Bobby Rush, former Illinois congressman and former Black Panther, spoke of the lessons learned from Jackson through “the enormity of his leadership, his passion, and his endless sacrifices for ‘the least of these.'” Rush reiterated Jackson’s message that “we are SOMEBODY,” a sentiment that became one of Jackson’s signature rallying cries.

The National Civil Rights Museum, located at the Lorraine Motel where King was assassinated, remembered Jackson’s frequent presence during April 4th commemorations, “not as a guest, but as a witness to history and a steward of King’s unfinished work.”

The NAACP called Jackson “family,” praising his advancement of Black America and how “he challenged this nation to live up to its highest ideals.” They noted how his presidential run “inspired millions and brought race to the forefront of American politics.”

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged Jackson’s international impact, particularly his campaigns against apartheid, which included advocating for disinvestment from the apartheid economy and challenging international support for the regime.

National Urban League President Marc H. Morial described Jackson as among “the last standard-bearers” of the generation that took up the mantle directly from Dr. King, noting how Jackson created what he often called “productive tension,” forcing the nation to confront its conscience.

Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, highlighted Jackson’s support for marriage equality and LGBTQ+ people, which affirmed “a simple, powerful truth: our liberation is bound together.”

As tributes continue to pour in, Jackson’s impact as a civil rights pioneer, presidential candidate, and global humanitarian solidifies his place as one of the most significant American leaders of the past half-century.