Jesse Jackson, who died at the age of 84 on February 17th, 2026, was an important American civil rights activist. His focus on voting rights and equal rights for people of color made him a natural fit for Puerto Rico’s human rights causes. Jackson was a disciple of Martin Luther King, Jr., founded Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition, and ran for U.S. President twice. In his 1988 run, he won the primary election in Puerto Rico.
Jesse Jackson’s opinions on Puerto Rico
In 2017, Jackson complained that Puerto Rico was treated as a colony. Writing about the response to Hurricane Maria’s destruction on the Island in that year, he said, “Puerto Ricans are Americans. We should not fail them in a desperate time of need.”
In 2021, he wrote in an opinion piece published in the Chicago Sun-Times, “The opposition to D.C. is mirrored in the opposition to statehood for Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, but, as a territory, have no right to vote. They too pay taxes and serve in the military. Puerto Rico, with 3 million citizens, is even larger than the District. Most Americans support Puerto Rican statehood. But Republicans fear that, since Puerto Ricans are largely people of color, they will tend to elect Democrats. Once more racism stands in the way of democracy.”
Jackson spoke out against the Navy shelling practice in Vieques, and supported statehood for Puerto Rico. His views on Puerto Rico reflected his life and work.
Jackson’s life and work
Born on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson rose to national prominence during the 1960s as a close associate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He worked within the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), where he became known for his organizational skill, passionate oratory, and commitment to economic justice alongside racial equality.
After King’s assassination in 1968, Jackson founded Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity), an organization focused on improving economic opportunities for African Americans and advocating for corporate responsibility. He later established the Rainbow Coalition, promoting a broad, multiracial political alliance of workers from disadvantaged communities. His efforts emphasized voter registration, educational access, and international human rights.
Jackson made history with his campaigns for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988. In 1988, he won several primaries in addition to Puerto Rico’s and finished second overall, demonstrating significant national support and expanding political participation among minority voters. Though he did not secure the nomination, his campaigns helped reshape the Democratic Party’s coalition and platform.
Throughout his career, Jackson was active in international diplomacy, negotiating for the release of American hostages abroad and advocating for peace and human rights. He is remembered as a prominent voice in American public life, recognized for his enduring influence on civil rights, electoral politics, and social justice movements.
U.S. Mission photo by Eric Bridiers, Creative Commons License
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