United States – Death of Reverend Jesse Jackson: OHDLP Hails the Memory of a Civil Rights Giant
.—The Haitian Observatory for the Right and Freedom of the Press (OHDLP) expresses its “deep consternation” at the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson, an emblematic figure in the struggle for civil rights in the United States, who died at the age of 84, according to a family statement released this Tuesday.
By Jean Mapou · Port-au-Prince · · 3 min read · Updated 24 April 2026
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PORT-AU-PRINCE.—
The Haitian Observatory for the Right and Freedom of the Press (OHDLP) expresses its “deep consternation” at the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson, an emblematic figure in the struggle for civil rights in the United States, who died at the age of 84, according to a family statement released this Tuesday. In an official note signed by its Executive Director, Alex Calas, the Haitian human rights organization pays tribute to “a leader of great stature, a visionary, who changed this nation and the world,” hailing an “unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human dignity.” According to his relatives, the pastor reportedly passed away “peacefully, surrounded by his family.” A public tribute is expected to be organized in Chicago at a later date. A Companion of Martin Luther King Jr. A fellow activist of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., Jesse Jackson was present in Memphis in 1968 during the assassination of the historic leader of the civil rights movement. From his youth, he engaged in sit-ins against segregation and participated, in 1965, in the Selma to Montgomery marches to defend the voting rights of African Americans. Born on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, he grew up in the segregated South. An excellent student and accomplished athlete, he earned a university scholarship thanks to his American football talents, at a time when the civil rights movement was gaining momentum across the country. A National Political Figure Beyond his religious and activist commitment, Jesse Jackson emerged as a major political figure. A candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 1984 and 1988 presidential primaries, he broadened the national debate to include the demands of African Americans and minorities. His speech on the “common ground” in 1988 left a lasting impression, calling for unity beyond racial and social divisions. A famous image remains: that of the reverend in tears in Chicago, on November 4, 2008, when CNN announced the victory of Barack Obama, the first Black president of the United States. For many, this moment symbolized the partial culmination of a struggle that began decades earlier. Reverend Al Sharpton hailed on Instagram “a living dream,” recalling how Jesse Jackson had inspired generations of young African Americans to believe in their worth and potential. International Engagements and Recent Struggles An international mediator, Jesse Jackson was involved in several sensitive diplomatic issues, intervening in Syria, Serbia, or Iraq to negotiate the release of American prisoners. A declared opponent of apartheid, he also played a role as an emissary in Africa in the 1990s under the presidency of Bill Clinton. More recently, he stood alongside the family of George Floyd, whose death in 2020 triggered a global wave of protests against police violence, as well as at the trial of those accused of Ahmaud Arbery's murder in Georgia. Weakened by Parkinson's disease, publicly revealed in 2017, and hospitalized last November for a severe degenerative condition, he continued to appear in public as long as his health allowed. OHDLP's Condolences In its message, the OHDLP extends its “deepest sympathies” to the deceased's wife, six children, and grandchildren, as well as to the international human rights community, the leaders of the American Democratic Party, Congress, the government, and the American people. For the Haitian organization, the passing of Jesse Jackson “leaves an immense void in the struggle for the rights of the oppressed” and underscores the ongoing relevance of the fight for racial equality and social justice worldwide. With the death of this “pillar” of the civil rights movement, a major page in contemporary American history turns, but an activist legacy that, according to the OHDLP, will continue to inspire future generations. Jean Mapou / Le Relief
The Haitian Observatory for the Right and Freedom of the Press (OHDLP) expresses its “deep consternation” at the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson, an emblematic figure in the struggle for civil rights in the United States, who died at the age of 84, according to a family statement released this Tuesday. In an official note signed by its Executive Director, Alex Calas, the Haitian human rights organization pays tribute to “a leader of great stature, a visionary, who changed this nation and the world,” hailing an “unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human dignity.” According to his relatives, the pastor reportedly passed away “peacefully, surrounded by his family.” A public tribute is expected to be organized in Chicago at a later date. A Companion of Martin Luther King Jr. A fellow activist of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., Jesse Jackson was present in Memphis in 1968 during the assassination of the historic leader of the civil rights movement. From his youth, he engaged in sit-ins against segregation and participated, in 1965, in the Selma to Montgomery marches to defend the voting rights of African Americans. Born on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, he grew up in the segregated South. An excellent student and accomplished athlete, he earned a university scholarship thanks to his American football talents, at a time when the civil rights movement was gaining momentum across the country. A National Political Figure Beyond his religious and activist commitment, Jesse Jackson emerged as a major political figure. A candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 1984 and 1988 presidential primaries, he broadened the national debate to include the demands of African Americans and minorities. His speech on the “common ground” in 1988 left a lasting impression, calling for unity beyond racial and social divisions. A famous image remains: that of the reverend in tears in Chicago, on November 4, 2008, when CNN announced the victory of Barack Obama, the first Black president of the United States. For many, this moment symbolized the partial culmination of a struggle that began decades earlier. Reverend Al Sharpton hailed on Instagram “a living dream,” recalling how Jesse Jackson had inspired generations of young African Americans to believe in their worth and potential. International Engagements and Recent Struggles An international mediator, Jesse Jackson was involved in several sensitive diplomatic issues, intervening in Syria, Serbia, or Iraq to negotiate the release of American prisoners. A declared opponent of apartheid, he also played a role as an emissary in Africa in the 1990s under the presidency of Bill Clinton. More recently, he stood alongside the family of George Floyd, whose death in 2020 triggered a global wave of protests against police violence, as well as at the trial of those accused of Ahmaud Arbery's murder in Georgia. Weakened by Parkinson's disease, publicly revealed in 2017, and hospitalized last November for a severe degenerative condition, he continued to appear in public as long as his health allowed. OHDLP's Condolences In its message, the OHDLP extends its “deepest sympathies” to the deceased's wife, six children, and grandchildren, as well as to the international human rights community, the leaders of the American Democratic Party, Congress, the government, and the American people. For the Haitian organization, the passing of Jesse Jackson “leaves an immense void in the struggle for the rights of the oppressed” and underscores the ongoing relevance of the fight for racial equality and social justice worldwide. With the death of this “pillar” of the civil rights movement, a major page in contemporary American history turns, but an activist legacy that, according to the OHDLP, will continue to inspire future generations. Jean Mapou / Le Relief
