Post by : Raina
Al-Fahim
Renowned civil rights activist Jesse Jackson has been admitted to the hospital for careful observation due to progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a neurodegenerative condition he has battled for more than a decade, as confirmed by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition on Thursday.
At 84 years old, Jackson was originally diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but the diagnosis was later updated to PSP last April, states the organization. “The family appreciates all prayers during this time,” it noted, emphasizing Jackson’s enduring spirit amid health struggles.
A key figure in the civil rights movement since the 1960s, Jackson was a close ally of Martin Luther King Jr. and was present during King’s assassination in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1968. Throughout his prolific career, he has tirelessly fought for the rights of Black Americans and other marginalized communities.
Jackson disclosed his Parkinson’s diagnosis publicly in 2017, an illness that impairs movement and coordination. Since then, he has encountered further health challenges, including hospitalization in 2021 after contracting COVID-19 and sustaining injuries from a fall.
The Rainbow PUSH Coalition, which Jackson founded, merges his 1971 effort, “People United to Save Humanity,” with a coalition formed during his initial bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984. This organization still advocates for social justice, equal opportunity, and civil rights, perpetuating Jackson’s profound impact.
Jackson's hospitalization has garnered widespread support from leaders and fans globally, celebrating his decades of activism and dedication to equality and human rights. While he remains under observation, many are sending prayers and well wishes for his recovery.
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