Civil rights pioneer Jesse Jackson has been released from a Chicago hospital following a medical stay that lasted nearly two weeks, his family announced Monday, bringing relief to supporters of the 84-year-old activist who has dedicated decades to fighting for social justice in America.
The veteran Baptist minister and former presidential candidate was discharged from Northwestern Memorial Hospital in stable condition, according to a statement from his son and family spokesperson, Yusef Jackson. The announcement came through the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the influential political action organization that the elder Jackson established and continues to lead from its Chicago headquarters.
Jackson’s hospitalization, which began at least 12 days prior to his release, had drawn concern from civil rights advocates and political figures across the nation. The legendary activist, who marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and later became a towering figure in his own right, has faced various health challenges in recent years while maintaining his commitment to social justice causes.
The civil rights leader’s medical stay comes as he continues to battle Parkinson’s disease, a condition he publicly disclosed in 2017. Despite his health struggles, Jackson has remained active in political and social movements, most recently appearing at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August 2024, where he was photographed attending the proceedings.
Throughout his storied career, Jackson has served as a bridge between the civil rights movement of the 1960s and contemporary social justice efforts. His influence extends far beyond his two historic presidential campaigns in the 1980s, encompassing decades of advocacy for economic equality, voting rights, and international diplomacy.
The Rainbow PUSH Coalition, founded by Jackson in 1996 through the merger of two organizations he created, continues to serve as a vehicle for his activism and policy advocacy. The organization has been instrumental in promoting diversity in corporate America and addressing issues of economic justice in communities across the United States.
Family members have not disclosed specific details about Jackson’s recent medical treatment, but his stable condition upon discharge suggests a positive trajectory for the civil rights icon who has inspired generations of activists and political leaders throughout his remarkable career in public service.
