PITTSBURGH \u2014 The nation is mourning the loss of a civil rights icon.<\/p>\n
RELATED COVERAGE >>> Rev. Jesse Jackson, iconic civil rights activist, dies at 84<\/a><\/p>\n Reverend Jesse Jackson led the civil rights movement for decades after the death of Martin Luther King Jr.<\/p>\n For many generations, Jackson was the embodiment of hope.<\/p>\n He rose to prominence, first as a young protege of Dr. King.<\/p>\n His life changed when King was killed in Memphis.<\/p>\n Jackson was there, by his side.<\/p>\n \u201cIt sounded like a stick of dynamite or a large firecracker. And when we turned, all we could see was police coming. Police were coming from the direction of the shot,\u201d Jackson said.<\/p>\n 20 years later, Jackson would announce his bid for president.<\/p>\n Tim Stevens with the Black Political Empowerment Project remembers seeing Jackson at Pittsburgh International Airport during one of his campaigns.<\/p>\n \u201cJust a passionate person and my honor to have met him and to witness his history over the decades. He\u2019s hard to replace if ever,\u201d Stevens said.<\/p>\n RELATED COVERAGE >>> Local leaders in the Pittsburgh region mourn the loss of Reverend Jesse Jackson<\/a><\/p>\n Jackson founded Rainbow PUSH Coalition.<\/p>\n The nonprofit social justice organization said in a statement that Jackson died peacefully, surrounded by his family.<\/p>\n In 2017, he was diagnosed with Parkinson\u2019s Disease.<\/p>\n Jackson had recently been in the hospital, dealing with a degenerative brain disease.<\/p>\n He was 84 years old.<\/p>\n The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission shared in a statement that \u201cHis passing reminds us that the struggle for equality is both historic and ongoing. His legacy challenges each of us to advance justice with courage and conviction.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe flame continues. We just have to make sure it doesn\u2019t go out,\u201d Stevens said.<\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n