Jesse Jackson to step down as head of civil rights organization Rainbow PUSH

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a renowned civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate, is preparing to step down as the head of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, a Chicago-based civil rights organization he founded in 1971. According to a spokesperson from the congressional office of his son, U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson, Jesse Jackson will be retiring from his leadership role in the organization.

The announcement of Jackson’s decision is expected to take place during the annual convention of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition on Sunday, as confirmed by Rep. Jackson in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times. He expressed that his father, who will turn 82 in October, has been a steadfast champion for civil rights, always present in the fight for justice, and that his legacy will endure throughout history.

Despite facing health challenges in recent years, including Parkinson’s disease, gallbladder surgery, COVID-19 treatment, and a head injury from a fall, Jesse Jackson has remained actively involved in civil rights causes. His commitment to fighting for social justice has been instrumental in shaping the modern civil rights movement, particularly in areas such as voting rights and education.

Jesse Jackson’s career in civil rights began when he broke away from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1971 and established Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity), a comprehensive civil rights organization based on Chicago’s South Side. Later renamed the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the organization has worked on various fronts, including advocating for increased minority representation in corporations and conducting voter registration drives in communities of color. The coalition’s annual convention is scheduled to take place this weekend in Chicago.

Throughout his life, Jackson has wielded significant influence in American politics. Prior to Barack Obama’s historic election in 2008, he was the most successful Black candidate for the U.S. presidency, winning 13 primaries and caucuses for the Democratic nomination in 1988. His impact extends beyond electoral campaigns, as he has been a vocal supporter of causes addressing police brutality and racism. Jackson stood alongside George Floyd’s family during a memorial service, an event that sparked a nationwide reckoning with systemic racism and law enforcement misconduct. Additionally, he has actively participated in COVID-19 vaccination drives to combat vaccine hesitancy within Black communities.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson hailed Jackson as an influential figure in the city, describing him as an “architect of the soul of Chicago.” Johnson emphasized Jackson’s unwavering dedication to civil rights and social justice, stating that his faith, perseverance, love, and commitment continue to inspire others in the pursuit of a better future. Al Sharpton, president and founder of the National Action Network, expressed his gratitude for Jackson’s mentorship and praised his immense contributions to the struggle for social justice, describing him as one of the most productive, prophetic, and dominant figures in American history.

As Jesse Jackson prepares to step down from his leadership role in the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, his impact and legacy in the fight for civil rights will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on American history.

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More about civil rights leader

• Jesse Jackson Biography
• Rainbow PUSH Coalition Official Website
• Chicago Sun-Times Article on Jesse Jackson’s Retirement
• The History Makers – Jesse Jackson
• National Action Network Official Website