Civil-rights icon the Rev. Jesse Jackson is stable and ‘not on life support,’ kin say
The family of the Rev. Jesse Jackson has clarified that the civil-rights icon is currently in stable condition and is not on life support, contrary to inaccurate media reports. Jackson, 84, was admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago last week for observation related to his progressive supranuclear palsy, a degenerative brain disorder.
The Rainbow PUSH Coalition, an organization founded by Jackson, confirmed that he is receiving appropriate treatment for his condition and is in stable condition. Despite a drop in blood pressure on Saturday night, Jackson’s family stated that he is breathing without the assistance of machines and remains stable.
In a statement released by the coalition, Jackson’s son, Yusef, mentioned that his father called for 2,000 churches to prepare food baskets to prevent malnutrition during the holiday season. Jackson has been managing his neurodegenerative condition for over a decade, according to the coalition.
Originally diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Jackson was re-diagnosed with PSP (progressive supranuclear palsy) in April. PSP is a condition that often leads to severe disability within three to five years. Despite his health challenges, Jackson has been a prominent figure in the civil rights movement, following in the footsteps of Martin Luther King Jr. after his assassination in 1968.
Jackson founded Operation PUSH in 1971, aiming to improve economic opportunities in black communities. He later established the National Rainbow Coalition in 1984, advocating for equal rights for all Americans. The two organizations eventually merged to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition around 1996.
Throughout his career, Jackson has been a tireless advocate for social justice and equality, making significant contributions to the civil rights movement. Despite his health struggles, his legacy continues to inspire generations of activists and advocates for change.
