National

Rev. Jesse Jackson Dead at 84

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Reactions came from around the world on Tuesday night on the passing of the Rev Jesse Jackson. He led the U.S. Civil Rights Movement for decades.

Published

15 hours ago

February 17, 2026

Jerome Sawyer

NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS – Reactions came from around the world on Tuesday night on the passing of the Rev Jesse Jackson. He led the U.S. Civil Rights Movement for decades.

The iconic preacher, activist, and U.S. Presidential candidate who was a close associate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was also a global champion for racial justice.
Tributes poured in from world leaders and civil rights groups, including here in The Bahamas.

He was in many was the protégé of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Jesse Jackson, the charismatic U.S. civil rights leader, who was raised in the segregated south of the United States, died this morning at the age of 84.

He became a close associate of MLK and twice ran for the democratic presidential nomination.

Jesse Jackson – 1984 Presidential Campaign Speech

“This campaign has taught me much that leaders must be tough enough to fight, tender enough to cry, human enough to make mistakes. Humble enough to admit them. Strong enough to absorb the pain and resilient enough to bounce back and keep on moving.”

History records his presence at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, when dr king was shot and killed in 1968.

He led a lifetime of crusades in the U.S. and around the world, advocating for the poor and underrepresented.
He scored diplomatic victories with world leaders through the rainbow push coalition, channeling cries for black pride and self-determination.

Jesse jackson – Hammanskraal, South Africa / July 26, 1979

“We need not ease back into the uncivilized era of fighting to be a superior race. That is a contradiction in terms. Because there’s but one race, the human race.”

Described as an inspirational orator and eloquent baptist minister, Jackson visited The Bahamas frequently.

Most notably in January of 2018 as a guest of Progressive National Baptist Convention winter board meeting, at Melia Nassau beach.

He was a guest speaker during the event’s evening worship services.
During that visit he said,

Jesse Jackson
“I came to escape the snow, but it is not just the land of sunshine.
The Bahamas has a stable government, and a progressive government. When the late Sir Lynden Pindling became prime minister of The Bahamas, a black leader, it was an inspiration to people around the world. I’ve been coming since then.”

On opening night of the 2018 convention, he was welcomed by then Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Travis Robison, along with other high ranking tourism officials.

The night’s program included the showing of a documentary called “A Peace of Paradise,” based on the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s relationship in The Bahamas, in particular the island of Bimini, where he wrote two of his noted speeches.

Rev. Jackson was also honoured by the Progressive National Baptist Convention, during that meeting in The Bahamas.

Like so many around the world today, Bahamians are mourning his passing, while reflecting on the impact of his work.

A statement from Prime Minister Philip Davis describes him as a giant in the Civil Rights Movement, who reminded leaders everywhere that democracy only has meaning when it delivers dignity.

He went on to recall Rev. Jackson’s efforts after Hurricane Dorian to mobilise relief, supplies and donations to help in our darkest hour.