Civil rights icon the Rev. Jesse Jackson announced Saturday that he is stepping down from the Rainbow PUSH Coalition after 52 years at the helm.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson announced Saturday that he is stepping down from the Rainbow PUSH Coalition after 52 years at the helm.
Jackson, 81, announced his resignation as president during the Chicago-based civil rights group’s annual convention.
“I am somebody,” he said. “Green or yellow, brown, Black or white, we’re all perfect in God’s eyes. Everybody is somebody. Stop the violence. Save the children. Keep hope alive.”
The longtime leader was flanked by his daughter, Santita Jackson, and his son, US Rep. Jonathan Jackson as the group paid homage to their long-standing leader with songs, tribute speeches and a video montage of Jackson’s 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns.
Jackson worked closely with and was considered a protégé of the Rev.
