Challenges in the Life of Jesse Jackson in a Detailed Timeline
Life is full of challenges, and Jesse Jackson faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.
Jesse Jackson is a prominent American civil rights activist, politician, and Baptist minister. He rose to prominence as a protege of Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement and has remained a leading voice for civil rights for over seven decades. Jackson served as a shadow senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997. He is the father of former U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. and current U.S. Representative Jonathan Jackson. Jackson's career reflects a blend of activism, political engagement, and religious leadership in the pursuit of social justice.
July 16, 1960: Greenville Library Sit-in
On July 16, 1960, Jesse Jackson participated in a sit-in at the Greenville Public Library, leading to his arrest.
December 1971: Falling Out with Abernathy
In December 1971, Jesse Jackson had a falling out with Ralph Abernathy, leading to Jackson's suspension from Operation Breadbasket.
November 3, 1983: Announced Presidential Campaign
On November 3, 1983, Jesse Jackson announced his campaign for president of the United States in the 1984 election, becoming the second African American to mount a nationwide campaign for president as a Democrat.
1983: Boycott Against Anheuser-Busch
In 1983, Jesse Jackson and Operation PUSH led a boycott against Anheuser-Busch.
1984: Presidential Campaign Launch
In 1984, Jesse Jackson launched his first presidential campaign, finishing in third place for the Democratic nomination.
November 1987: Challenges to Nomination
In November 1987, Jesse Jackson faced skepticism from political analysts regarding his chances of securing the Democratic nomination, due in part to racial biases and his liberal political views. Allegations about his half-brother's criminal activities also posed a challenge to his campaign.
1987: PUSH's Financial Struggles
In 1987, Operation PUSH faced financial difficulties, which were used by Jackson's political opponents.
1988: Second Presidential Bid
In 1988, Jesse Jackson mounted a second bid for president, finishing as the runner-up to Michael Dukakis.
2000: Clash with Jeb Bush during recount
In 2000, Jesse Jackson clashed with Governor of Florida Jeb Bush during the election recount.
January 20, 2001: Jackson requests pardons from Clinton
On January 20, 2001, Jesse Jackson had requested Bill Clinton to pardon Congressman Mel Reynolds, John Bustamante, and Dorothy Rivers, which Clinton did. Jackson also requested a pardon for his half-brother Noah Robinson, but Clinton denied it due to previous Justice Department denials.
2002: Jackson discusses "King democracy"
In 2002, Jackson stated in an interview that there was "a new America" and the world was abandoning the Jeffersonian democracy. In November 2002, African Americans Against Exploitation Inc. filed suit against Jackson, alleging that he "intentionally misrepresented himself as an official of the African American race". Also that year, Jackson was the target of a white supremacist terror plot.
2002: Criticism of Regier's nomination
In 2002, Jesse Jackson joined Democrats in criticizing Jeb Bush's nomination of Jerry Regier for the Department of Children and Families, citing a 1989 paper that Regier co-authored which endorsed spanking and opposed married women having careers.
September 1, 2003: Arrest at Yale University protest
On September 1, 2003, Jesse Jackson was arrested for blocking traffic at Yale University in solidarity with striking workers. He was the first person handcuffed.
June 2004: Jackson rebukes Jeb Bush
In June 2004, Jesse Jackson criticized Jeb Bush for requesting counties to purge felons from voting rolls, calling it a tactic to deny voting rights based on race and class. Bush responded by calling Jackson's comments "outrageous" and said that Jackson was "past his prime."
2005: FEC fine for electoral law violation
In 2005, the Federal Election Commission ruled that Jesse Jackson and the Democratic National Committee had violated electoral law and fined them $200,000.
March 2006: Support for Duke Lacrosse Accuser
In March 2006, Jesse Jackson offered to pay the college tuition of the African-American woman who accused three white members of the Duke University men's lacrosse team of rape, regardless of the case's outcome. The case against the three men was later thrown out and the players were declared innocent.
November 2006: Response to Michael Richards' Racist Tirade
In November 2006, Jesse Jackson played a key role in addressing the scandal caused by Michael Richards' racist tirade. Richards apologized to Jackson, who accepted and met with him publicly. Jackson also joined Black leaders in calling for the elimination of the "N-word" throughout the entertainment industry.
June 23, 2007: Arrest at gun store protest
On June 23, 2007, Jesse Jackson was arrested for trespassing during a protest at a gun store in Riverdale, Illinois, accused of selling firearms to gang members. He refused to stop blocking the entrance.
September 2008: Hospitalized for Gastroenteritis
In September 2008, Jesse Jackson was hospitalized with viral gastroenteritis after experiencing dehydration and stomach pains.
February 2012: Response to Trayvon Martin Shooting
In February 2012, following the shooting of Trayvon Martin, Jesse Jackson joined Martin's parents in demanding the arrest of George Zimmerman and called for repealing stand-your-ground laws. After Zimmerman's acquittal, Jackson refused to accept it and called for civil rights charges.
July 2013: Meeting with Marissa Alexander
In July 2013, Jesse Jackson met with Marissa Alexander and called for her 20-year sentence to be reduced, contrasting it with Zimmerman's acquittal.
January 2015: Alexander Released
In January 2015, Marissa Alexander was released from jail under a plea deal that capped her sentence at the three years she had already served.
November 2017: Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease
In November 2017, Jesse Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
2017: Jackson Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease
In 2017, Jesse Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
February 2019: Response to Jussie Smollett Incident
In February 2019, after Jussie Smollett reported a hate crime, Jesse Jackson called the attack an attempted lynching and criticized Trump for emboldening bigots. Later, when Smollett was charged with falsifying the attack, Jackson requested leniency for him.
June 2020: Jackson Praises Louisville Mayor and Criticizes Rand Paul
In June 2020, following the killing of Breonna Taylor, Jesse Jackson commended Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer for reviewing police conduct and policies and criticized Senator Rand Paul for delaying a bill to make lynching a hate crime.
August 3, 2021: Jackson Arrested During Protest
On August 3, 2021, Jesse Jackson was arrested while protesting for Congress to end the filibuster, protect voting rights, and raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.
August 2021: Hospitalized with COVID-19
In August 2021, Jesse Jackson and his wife were hospitalized with COVID-19; Jackson was later transferred to a rehabilitation facility.
2021: Jackson Hospitalized Twice
In 2021, Jesse Jackson was hospitalized twice, once after testing positive for COVID-19 and again after a head injury.
July 2023: Jackson Announces Plans to Step Down as Leader of Rainbow/PUSH
In July 2023, Jesse Jackson announced his plans to step down as the leader of Rainbow/PUSH due to his age and health complications, including Parkinson's disease and previous hospitalizations.
2023: Value of FEC fine
In 2005, the Federal Election Commission ruled that Jesse Jackson and the Democratic National Committee had violated electoral law and fined them $200,000 (equivalent to $299,900 in 2023).
