History of Jesse Jackson in Timeline
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.
1908: Birth of Noah Louis Robinson
Noah Louis Robinson, Jesse Jackson's biological father, was born in 1908.
October 8, 1941: Jesse Jackson's Birth
Jesse Jackson was born on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, to Helen Burns and Noah Louis Robinson.
1944: Jacqueline Lavinia Brown Born
In 1944, Jacqueline Lavinia Brown (later Jackson) was born.
1955: Montgomery Bus Boycott Impact
In 1955, the Montgomery bus boycott influenced Jesse Jackson's views on segregation.
1959: High School Graduation and Decision
In 1959, after graduating high school, Jesse Jackson rejected a baseball contract to attend the University of Illinois on a football scholarship.
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.
1960: Leaving University of Illinois
In 1960, Jackson left the University of Illinois and transferred to North Carolina A&T.
December 31, 1962: Marriage to Jacqueline Lavinia Brown
On December 31, 1962, Jesse Jackson married Jacqueline Lavinia Brown.
1963: Birth of Santita Jackson
In 1963, Santita Jackson, the daughter of Jesse Jackson and Jacqueline Lavinia Brown, was born.
1964: Graduation from A&T
In 1964, Jesse Jackson graduated with a B.S. in sociology from North Carolina A&T.
1965: Birth of Jesse Jackson Jr.
In 1965, Jesse Jackson Jr., the son of Jesse Jackson and Jacqueline Lavinia Brown, was born.
1965: Selma to Montgomery Marches
In 1965, Jesse Jackson participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches organized by James Bevel, Martin Luther King Jr., and other civil rights leaders.
1966: Drops out of Seminary
In 1966, Jesse Jackson dropped out of the Chicago Theological Seminary to focus on the civil rights movement.
1966: Birth of Jonathan Luther Jackson
In 1966, Jonathan Luther Jackson, the son of Jesse Jackson and Jacqueline Lavinia Brown, was born.
1966: Head of Chicago Branch of Operation Breadbasket
In 1966, King and Bevel selected Jackson to head the Chicago branch of the SCLC's economic arm, Operation Breadbasket.
1967: Promotion to National Director
In 1967, Jackson was promoted to national director of Operation Breadbasket.
April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Assassination
On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Jesse Jackson was present and gave conflicting accounts.
1968: Ordained a Minister
In 1968, Jesse Jackson was ordained a minister.
1969: Seen as King's Successor
In 1969, The New York Times reported that several black leaders viewed Jackson as King's successor.
1970: Birth of Yusef DuBois Jackson
In 1970, Yusef DuBois Jackson, the son of Jesse Jackson and Jacqueline Lavinia Brown, was born.
October 1971: Black Expo in Chicago
In October 1971, Jesse Jackson organized the Black Expo in Chicago, a trade and business fair.
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.
December 25, 1971: Operation PUSH Begins
On December 25, 1971, People United to Save Humanity (Operation PUSH) officially began operations.
1971: Named One of Ebony Magazine's "100 Most Influential Black Americans"
In 1971, Ebony Magazine named Jesse Jackson to its "100 most influential black Americans" list.
1975: Birth of Jacqueline Lavinia Jackson
In 1975, Jacqueline Lavinia Jackson, the daughter of Jesse Jackson and Jacqueline Lavinia Brown, was born.
1975: Endorsement of Abortion Ban
In 1975, Jesse Jackson endorsed a plan for a constitutional amendment banning abortion. He also endorsed the Hyde Amendment, which bars the funding of abortions through the federal Medicaid program.
1977: Arguments Against Roe v. Wade
In a 1977 National Right to Life Committee News report, Jesse Jackson argued that the basis for Roe v. Wade—the right to privacy—had also been used to justify slavery and the treatment of slaves on the plantations. Jackson decried what he believed was the casual taking of life and the decline in society's values.
1978: Call for Republican Relationship
In 1978, Jesse Jackson called for a closer relationship between blacks and the Republican Party.
1979: Receives Jefferson Award
In 1979, Jesse Jackson received the Jefferson Award for Greatest Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged.
May 1983: Addressed Alabama Legislature
In May 1983, Jesse Jackson became the first African-American man since Reconstruction to address a joint session of the Alabama Legislature, advocating for focusing on employment issues rather than racial divisions.
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.
1983: Release of American Pilot
In 1983, Jesse Jackson traveled to Syria and secured the release of captured American pilot Robert Goodman.
January 4, 1984: White House Welcome
On January 4, 1984, President Reagan welcomed Jesse Jackson and Robert Goodman to the White House after Goodman's release.
March 1984: Gained Third Place in Polls
In March 1984, a Washington Post-ABC News poll found Jesse Jackson in third place with 20 percent support in the Democratic primary race, behind Mondale and Hart.
June 1984: Negotiated Release of Americans
In June 1984, Jesse Jackson negotiated the release of 22 Americans being held in Cuba.
1984: Remarks to a black Washington Post Reporter
In 1984 Jackson made controversial statements about Jewish people.
1984: Addressed Democratic National Convention
In 1984, Jesse Jackson addressed the Democratic National Convention, offering an apology for past comments and emphasizing the need for unity within the party.
1984: Appeal for James Dupree Henry
In 1984, Jesse Jackson and Coretta Scott King appealed to Florida governor Bob Graham to halt the execution of James Dupree Henry.
1984: Presidential Campaign Launch
In 1984, Jesse Jackson launched his first presidential campaign, finishing in third place for the Democratic nomination.
1984: Formation of the Rainbow Coalition
In 1984, Jesse Jackson organized the Rainbow Coalition and resigned as president of Operation PUSH.
1984: Ran for President
In 1984, Jesse Jackson ran for president, and performed well enough to argue that he had expanded his appeal to white voters.
1984: Jackson's "Hymietown" Controversy
In 1984, Jesse Jackson was criticized for referring to Jews as "Hymies" and New York City as "Hymietown" in remarks to a reporter, leading to controversy and a rift with the Jewish community.
1984: 25th Anniversary of Presidential Campaign
In November 2009, the Congressional Black Caucus honored Jesse Jackson for the 25th anniversary of his 1984 presidential campaign.
January 1985: Led Procession in Washington
In January 1985, concurrent with Ronald Reagan's second inauguration, Jesse Jackson led a procession in Washington to advocate for the poor and challenge America to protect them.
June 1986: Spoke About Ethical Collapse and Drug Use
In June 1986, Jesse Jackson delivered a commencement speech at Medgar Evers College, expressing concerns about ethical collapse and drug use among young people. Later that month, he called for Reagan to announce a nationwide war on drugs after the death of Len Bias.
1986: Speculation of Second Presidential Run
By early 1986, there was speculation that Jesse Jackson would mount a second presidential run in 1988.
March 1987: Formed Exploratory Committee
In March 1987, Jesse Jackson formed an exploratory committee for a potential presidential run in 1988, being the second potential candidate to do so.
April 1987: Focused on Iowa for Campaign
In April 1987, Jesse Jackson focused on Iowa for his potential presidential campaign, spending six days there and moving his office to the rural part of the state.
May 25, 1987: Made a Master Mason on Sight
On Memorial Day, May 25, 1987, Jesse Jackson was made a Master Mason on Sight by Grand Master Senter of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Illinois, thereby making him a Prince Hall Freemason.
October 11, 1987: Announced Candidacy in 1988 Election
On October 11, 1987, Jesse Jackson announced his candidacy in the 1988 presidential election, leading in polls in nine of the 12 Southern states.
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: Jackson Attempts to Improve Relationship with Jewish Community
According to a 1987 New York Times article, Jesse Jackson began attempting to improve his relationship with the Jewish community after the controversy in 1984.
1987: Involved in Chicago Mayoral Election
During the 1987 Chicago mayoral election, Jesse Jackson led efforts to prevent the deterioration of the Democratic campaign and avoid splintering of the Democratic vote.
1987: Praised as Successful Black Leader
In 1987, Donald Rheem called Jesse Jackson "one of the most successful black leaders in American history," acknowledging his public service and moral message.
1987: PUSH's Financial Struggles
In 1987, Operation PUSH faced financial difficulties, which were used by Jackson's political opponents.
1987: Platform of 1987
In 1987, The New York Times called Jackson "a classic liberal in the tradition of the New Deal and the Great Society".
1987: University President's Report
In 1987, the University of Illinois' president reported that Jackson's 1960 transcript was clean.
1988: Increased Credibility as a Candidate
In 1988, Jesse Jackson exceeded expectations in his campaign, more than doubling his previous results. This performance led R.W. Apple of The New York Times to call 1988 "the Year of Jackson".
1988: Second Presidential Bid
In 1988, Jesse Jackson mounted a second bid for president, finishing as the runner-up to Michael Dukakis.
1988: Presidential Campaign
In 1988, Jesse Jackson ran for president as a Democratic candidate.
1988: Ran for President
In 1988, Jesse Jackson was running for president of the United States.
1988: Mayoral Candidacy Considerations
In 1988, following the arrest of Mayor Marion Barry, Jesse Jackson was under pressure to enter the mayoral race to replace Barry, but he did not run for the position.
1988: Awarded NAACP President's Award
In 1988, the NAACP awarded Jesse Jackson its President's Award.
1989: Regier's paper
In 1989, Jerry Regier co-authored a paper that endorsed spanking to the point of bruises and welts and opposed married women having careers.
1990: Election to the U.S. Senate
In 1990, Jesse Jackson was elected to the United States Senate for the District of Columbia, serving as a shadow delegate.
November 1991: Jackson Decides Not to Run for President
In November 1991, Jesse Jackson formally declared he would not mount a third presidential bid and called for the creation of "new democratic majority".
1991: "Shadow Senator" for the District of Columbia
In 1991, Jesse Jackson ran for office as "shadow senator" for the District of Columbia when the position was created.
1991: Receives James Madison Award
In 1991, Jesse Jackson received the American Whig-Cliosophic Society's James Madison Award for Distinguished Public Service.
1991: Shadow Delegate and Senator
In 1991, Jesse Jackson served as a shadow delegate and senator for the District of Columbia.
April 26, 1992: Jackson and Clinton Meeting
On April 26, 1992, Jesse Jackson and Bill Clinton had a 40-minute meeting in Clinton's hotel suite. They emerged to announce that they were both committed to defeating Bush in the general election.
1992: Hosting 'Both Sides with Jesse Jackson'
In 1992, Jesse Jackson began hosting 'Both Sides with Jesse Jackson' on CNN.
August 29, 1993: Commemoration of the March on Washington
On August 29, 1993, Jesse Jackson joined gatherers at the Lincoln Memorial to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
September 1996: Visit to Tupac Shakur
In September 1996, Jesse Jackson visited rapper Tupac Shakur in the hospital after he was wounded in a drive-by shooting.
1996: Introduction to Anheuser-Busch CEO
In 1996, August Busch IV, Anheuser-Busch's CEO, was introduced to Yusef Jackson by Ron Burkle.
1996: Support for Bill Clinton
In 1996, Jesse Jackson became a key ally in gaining African American support for Bill Clinton and eventually became a close adviser and friend of the Clinton family.
1996: Merger of Organizations
In 1996, the Operation PUSH and Rainbow Coalition organizations were merged.
1997: Support for Al Sharpton
In 1997, Jesse Jackson backed Al Sharpton in his bid for mayor of New York City.
1997: End of Term as "Shadow Senator"
In 1997, Jesse Jackson did not run for reelection as "shadow senator" for the District of Columbia, ending his term.
1997: Special Envoy for Democracy in Kenya
In 1997, Jesse Jackson served as United States President Bill Clinton's special envoy for democracy to promote free and fair elections during a trip to Kenya to meet with Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi.
1997: End of Senate Term
In 1997, Jesse Jackson's term as a shadow delegate and senator for the District of Columbia came to an end.
1997: Death of Noah Louis Robinson
In 1997, Noah Louis Robinson, Jesse Jackson's biological father, passed away.
1998: Jackson Brothers Chosen by Anheuser-Busch
In 1998, Yusef and Jonathan Jackson were chosen by Anheuser-Busch to head River North Sales.
1998: Opposition to Clinton's Impeachment
In 1998, during Clinton's impeachment inquiry, Jesse Jackson explained his opposition to Clinton's removal from office.
March 1999: Decision Not to Run for President
In March 1999, Jesse Jackson announced he would not be a candidate in the 2000 presidential election.
May 1999: Birth of Daughter Ashley
In May 1999, Jesse Jackson had an affair with Karin Stanford, which resulted in the birth of a daughter named Ashley.
August 1999: Rainbow Push Coalition Pays Stanford
In August 1999, the Rainbow Push Coalition paid Karin Stanford $15,000 in moving expenses and $21,000 for contracting work.
November 18, 1999: Decatur High School Expulsions
On November 18, 1999, after seven Decatur, Illinois, high school students were expelled for participating in a brawl, Jesse Jackson argued that the expulsions were unfair and racially biased.
1999: Receives Golden Doves for Peace Journalistic Prize
In 1999, Jesse Jackson received the Golden Doves for Peace journalistic prize awarded by the Italian Research Institute Archive Disarmo.
March 1, 2000: Endorsement of Al Gore
On March 1, 2000, Jesse Jackson endorsed Vice President Al Gore in the 2000 election.
March 2000: Criticism of Giuliani's Handling of Shooting
In March 2000, Jesse Jackson criticized Giuliani's handling of the Patrick Dorismond shooting, saying that there was "something that is not well about his response to unarmed people being shot by police."
August 2000: Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
In August 2000, Bill Clinton awarded Jesse Jackson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest honor bestowed on civilians.
2000: Clash with Jeb Bush during recount
In 2000, Jesse Jackson clashed with Governor of Florida Jeb Bush during the election recount.
2000: Master of Divinity Awarded
In 2000, Jesse Jackson was awarded a Master of Divinity degree by Chicago Theological Seminary.
2000: Jackson Supports Joe Lieberman at DNC
In 2000, Jesse Jackson was invited to speak in support of Jewish Senator and Vice Presidential candidate Joe Lieberman at the Democratic National Convention.
2000: End of CNN Show
In 2000, Jesse Jackson's show 'Both Sides with Jesse Jackson' on CNN ended.
2000: Voters support of Bush
In February 2004, Jackson called for southern voters to turn away from the fears and despair that led to their support of Bush in 2000.
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.
2001: Affair and Child Support Revealed
In 2001, Jesse Jackson's affair with Karin Stanford and resulting daughter Ashley became public, leading to Jackson paying $4,000 a month in child support.
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.
2002: Included on List of 100 Greatest African Americans
In 2002, scholar Molefi Kete Asante included Jesse Jackson on his list of 100 Greatest African Americans.
2002: Harry Edwards' Article
In 2002, sociologist Harry Edwards wrote an article on ESPN.com regarding Jackson's time at the University of Illinois.
February 15, 2003: Spoke at Anti-War Demonstration in London
On February 15, 2003, Jesse Jackson addressed an estimated one million people in Hyde Park, London, at an anti-war demonstration protesting the imminent invasion of Iraq by the U.S. and the United Kingdom.
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.
February 2004: Address at John F. Kennedy School of Government
In February 2004, Jesse Jackson delivered an address at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, where he called for southern voters to turn away from supporting Bush, and endorsed John Kerry's presidential campaign.
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."
November 2004: Encouraged Peace in Northern Ireland
In November 2004, Jesse Jackson visited Northern Ireland to encourage better cross-community relations, rebuild the peace process, and restore governmental institutions of the Belfast Agreement, meeting with senior politicians and community activists.
August 2005: Met with Hugo Chávez in Venezuela
In August 2005, Jesse Jackson met with Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez in Venezuela after controversial remarks by Pat Robertson. Jackson condemned Robertson's remarks and stated there was no evidence Venezuela posed a threat to the U.S.
2005: Part of Operation Black Vote in the UK
In 2005, Jesse Jackson was involved in the United Kingdom's Operation Black Vote, a campaign to encourage more ethnic minorities in Britain to vote in political elections.
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.
2005: Support for Terri Schiavo's parents
In early 2005, Jesse Jackson visited Terri Schiavo's parents and supported their unsuccessful bid to keep her alive, which Jeb Bush also supported.
February 2006: Voted "Most Important Black Leader"
In February 2006, Jesse Jackson was voted "the most important black leader" in an AP-AOL "Black Voices" poll.
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.
March 2007: Jackson supports Barack Obama
In March 2007, Jesse Jackson declared his support for then-Senator Barack Obama in the 2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries.
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.
July 6, 2008: Jackson's remarks about Obama
On July 6, 2008, during an interview with Fox News, Jesse Jackson was caught on microphone saying he wanted to "cut [Obama's] nuts off" due to Obama "talking down to black people". He later apologized.
September 2008: Hospitalized for Gastroenteritis
In September 2008, Jesse Jackson was hospitalized with viral gastroenteritis after experiencing dehydration and stomach pains.
2008: Presented with Honorary Fellowship from Edge Hill University
In 2008, Jesse Jackson was presented with an Honorary Fellowship from Edge Hill University.
2008: Jackson's Impact on Obama's Campaign
In 2008, Jesse Jackson's previous presidential campaigns were seen as historic, and credited with increasing black voter turnout, exceeding expectations, and paving the way for Barack Obama's successful 2008 campaign.
August 2009: Crowned Prince Côte Nana
In August 2009, Jesse Jackson was crowned Prince Côte Nana by Amon N'Douffou V, King of Krindjabo, who rules more than a million Agni tribespeople.
November 2009: Congressional Black Caucus Honors Jackson
In November 2009, the Congressional Black Caucus honored Jesse Jackson for the 25th anniversary of his 1984 presidential campaign. Jackson also commented on Obama's health care reform proposal, criticizing blacks who voted against it.
2009: Speaker for International Peace Foundation
In 2009, Jesse Jackson served as a speaker for the International Peace Foundation, discussing "Building a culture of peace and development in a globalized world" and visited multiple locations in Malaysia and Thailand.
2010: Davis Lost Primary
In November 2009, Jackson made a comment that may have hurt Artur Davis, who was a candidate in the 2010 Alabama gubernatorial election.
2011: Antipathy for Black Leaders
In 2011, Wayne Barrett wrote about Obama's embrace of Sharpton and antipathy for black leaders like Jesse Jackson.
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.
2012: Jackson Commends Obama's Support for Gay Marriage
In 2012, Jesse Jackson commended Obama's decision to support gay marriage, comparing it to the fights against slavery and anti-miscegenation laws. He favored federal legislation extending marriage rights to gay people.
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.
2013: Attended Hugo Chávez's Funeral
In 2013, Jesse Jackson attended Hugo Chávez's funeral, commenting on the maturation of democracies and making inaccurate statements about U.S. presidents owning slaves.
January 2015: Panel Discussion at Stanford University
In January 2015, Jesse Jackson participated in a panel discussion at Stanford University, calling for Palo Alto residents to combat gentrification and met with Silicon Valley leaders.
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.
2015: Death of Helen Burns
In 2015, Helen Burns, Jesse Jackson's mother, passed away.
2015: Awarded Honorary Degree from University of Edinburgh
In 2015, Jesse Jackson was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Edinburgh, in recognition of decades of campaigning for civil rights.
2016: Endorsement of Hillary Clinton
In 2016, Jesse Jackson declined to endorse either Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders in the Democratic presidential primary but endorsed Clinton after she secured the nomination. He later criticized Donald Trump's response to police killings.
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.
January 2018: Sermon Criticizing Trump
In January 2018, Jesse Jackson delivered a sermon in which he criticized Trump as misleading and out of touch. He also wrote an op-ed reflecting on King's legacy and attended the Angela Project Conference, addressing social injustices.
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 2019: Jackson Comments on Biden's Stance on Busing
In June 2019, Jesse Jackson stated he didn't understand Biden's prior support for segregated school busing but believed "he's changed" and voiced his opposition to states' rights.
2019: Support for Venezuelan Embassy Activists
During the 2019 Venezuelan presidential crisis, Jesse Jackson delivered food to activists occupying the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, D.C.
March 8, 2020: Jackson Endorses Bernie Sanders for President
On March 8, 2020, Jesse Jackson endorsed Bernie Sanders, who is Jewish, for president, further highlighting his improved relationship with the Jewish community.
March 2020: Jackson Endorses Bernie Sanders
In March 2020, Jesse Jackson endorsed Bernie Sanders for president, noting Sanders made several commitments to him and requesting that Sanders pick an African-American woman as his running mate.
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.
April 2021: Jackson Reacts to Chauvin Verdict
In April 2021, after Derek Chauvin's conviction for George Floyd's murder, Jesse Jackson appeared with the Floyd family, stating that attendees would have to "learn to live together as brothers and sisters and not die apart".
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.
December 2021: Elected Honorary Fellow of Homerton College, Cambridge
In December 2021, Jesse Jackson was elected an Honorary Fellow of Homerton College, Cambridge.
2021: Appointed Commander of the Legion of Honor
In 2021, Jesse Jackson was appointed Commander of the Legion of Honor, France's highest order of merit, presented by French president Emmanuel Macron, for his work in civil rights.
2021: Jackson Hospitalized Twice
In 2021, Jesse Jackson was hospitalized twice, once after testing positive for COVID-19 and again after a head injury.
June 2022: Supreme Court Overrules Roe v. Wade
In June 2022, the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson.
2022: Receives Honorary Doctorate from Benedict College
In 2022, Jesse Jackson received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Benedict College.
2022: Jackson Defends Yoga School Leaders
In 2022, Jesse Jackson wrote to an Argentinian judge in defense of leaders of a yoga school who had been accused of forcing women into prostitution.
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: Jackson Calls for Action Ahead of State of the Union
Ahead of the 2023 State of the Union Address, Jesse Jackson wrote an op-ed calling for Biden to extend the Child Tax Credit, make voter registration automatic, limit big money in politics, and revive the Voting Rights Act.
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).
