{"id":182087,"date":"2026-02-17T23:00:24","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T23:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/182087\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T23:00:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T23:00:24","slug":"southern-california-leaders-remember-rev-jesse-jackson-nbc-los-angeles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/182087\/","title":{"rendered":"Southern California leaders remember Rev. Jesse Jackson \u2013 NBC Los Angeles"},"content":{"rendered":"

Southern California leaders and organizations took to social media Tuesday to pay tribute to renowned civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson<\/a>, 84, who died peacefully on Tuesday \u201csurrounded by his family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2017. In April 2025, he was diagnosed with a rare, Parkinson\u2019s-related brain condition, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. He was hospitalized for two weeks in November 2025. In his final months of life, he was receiving 24-hour care.<\/p>\n

Jackson left an indelible mark on the civil rights movement and those who admired and supported his work for social justice and equality. Here are some tributes.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRenowned civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson died Tuesday at the age of 84, his family confirmed in a statement.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

‘A tireless advocate’: California leaders pay tribute<\/p>\n

In a post on X<\/a> Tuesday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she grew up watching Jackson \u201clead a national movement that fought for justice for poor and working people.\u201d She said she was grateful for his leadership and was honored to work with him throughout her career.<\/p>\n

\u201cRev. Jackson was a civil rights hero and a tireless advocate for those too often overlooked,\u201d Bass said.<\/p>\n

I grew up watching Reverend Jesse Jackson lead a national movement that fought for justice for poor and working people. I am deeply saddened by his passing, but profoundly grateful for the example he set and the generation of leaders he inspired.<\/p>\n

Rev. Jackson was a civil rights\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/YnuCvCejZd<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) February 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

California Gov. Gavin Newsom also posted a tribute on X<\/a>, saying he and his wife mourn the loss of “one of America’s greatest civil rights champions.”<\/p>\n

“His footprints are found in every modern movement for justice,” Newsom said. “In California, he stood with farmworkers in the Central Valley, marched in Los Angeles and Oakland, and inspired students across our state to lead and organize.”<\/p>\n

Jen and I mourn the loss of Rev. Jesse Jackson, one of America’s greatest civil rights champions.<\/p>\n

His footprints are found in every modern movement for justice. In California, he stood with farmworkers in the Central Valley, marched in Los Angeles and Oakland, and inspired\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/Ajaq2PzIQQ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) February 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee shared her tribute to Jackson on X<\/a>, calling him “a giant of our movement and a champion for those too often left out and left behind.”<\/p>\n

Lee talked spoke to Jackson’s inspiring leadership and conviction, and shared personal memories from their long friendship, including the time he met her granddaughters during the 2025 holiday season.<\/p>\n

“He smiled, held their hands, and communicated that he loved us,” Lee’s post read.<\/p>\n

Today, we say Rest in Peace and Power to Reverend Jesse Jackson \u2014 a giant of our movement and a champion for those too often left out and left behind.<\/p>\n

In 1984 and 1988, Reverend Jackson didn\u2019t just run for President \u2014 he ignited a movement. He registered more than two million\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/S3gQUAeUvu<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Barbara Lee (@BarbaraLee_CA) February 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

‘He was a moral force’: Local organizations remember Jackson<\/p>\n

The Los Angeles Urban League released a statement<\/a> following the death of Jackson, saying his legacy “will live on in every voice raised for fairness, every barrier broken, and every community empowered.”<\/p>\n

Through its continued mission to advance economic self-reliance and civil rights for underserved communities, the organization said it will “continue advancing the movement he helped shape.”<\/p>\n

“Rev. Jesse Jackson was more than a leader \u2014 he was a moral force,” said Cynthia Mitchell-Heard, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League. “He challenged America to live up to its highest ideals and demanded that opportunity, dignity, and economic justice be extended to all people. His iconic voice moved generations, and his courage reshaped the national conscience.”<\/p>\n

The NAACP Los Angeles dedicated this post on X<\/a> to Jackson, a recipient of the Spingarn Medal and “a titan of civil rights” who’s “work redefined American democracy.”<\/p>\n

The NAACP Los Angeles mourns the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. A recipient of the Spingarn Medal and a titan of civil rights, his life\u2019s work redefined American democracy. We honor his legacy by continuing the relentless pursuit of justice. Rest in Power. \u270a\ud83c\udffe #JesseJackson<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/WsPKYMzboE<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NAACP LOS ANGELES (@naacplosangeles) February 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Jackson’s legacy: ‘Keep hope alive’<\/p>\n

In an emotional interview with NBC Chicago on Tuesday morning, Jackson’s son, U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson, called his father his hero<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Some people know him as a civil rights leader. He’s my hero,” Jonathan said.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDr. Sarah Kremen said it’s a rare neurological disorder. This video was broadcast during the NBC4 News at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Jackson was known for his lifelong work promoting civil rights, including working with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He founded Chicago\u2019s Rainbow PUSH Coalition<\/a> and led movements to promote safety, universal healthcare, and voting rights, to name a few of his important causes.<\/p>\n

Jonathan told NBC Chicago he had been dreading the day he would “get the final call” about his dad’s health.<\/p>\n

He said he believed his father’s final message to the world would be “keep hope alive.”<\/p>\n

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