Jesse Jackson remembered for Mississippi civil rights impact

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Congressman Bennie Thompson is remembering the life and legacy of civil rights icon Jesse Jackson, who died Tuesday at age 84 after a long-time battle with a severe neurodegenerative condition.

Jackson, known nationally as a politician, preacher, and civil rights leader, made a significant impact in Mississippi through his work alongside other leaders to change the lives of many people in the state.

“He has significant influence and he will sorely be missed,” said Thompson, who represents Mississippi’s 2nd District.

Jackson was a protégé of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and lived most of his life helping change the way of life for people of color. In 1984, he placed his bid for president as the Democratic nominee but fell short. He ran again in 1988.

In Mississippi, Jackson helped galvanize voter registration and encouraged people to vote. He addressed voting irregularities in the state, saying in a past interview that “the irregularities are so numerous until the Justice Department is sending back into Mississippi for this coming Tuesday 364 federal observers.”

Jackson made an impact in Canton at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, where he encouraged voters in 1985, saying, “We just have to steal away bright and early on Tuesday morning. Make a dash for freedom. Your time has come. Make a dash for freedom bright and early in the morning. God bless you.”

Jackson also helped shed national light on poverty in areas of the state that needed help the most, including a place called Sugar Ditch Alley in Tunica County.

“There’s something called Sugar Ditch in Tunica, Mississippi. He was there,” Thompson said.

Sugar Ditch Alley was an area in Tunica County where some residents didn’t have running water in their homes, forcing them to dump raw sewage in a ditch that ran behind their homes.

Jackson helped campaign for Thompson during his run for Hinds County supervisor and later for Congress in the early 1990s.

“One of the places that I first met him was at the Masonic Temple, where we are providing resources to keep that building open right now. It was the place where he came. After we left the Masonic Temple, the Jackson State students walked down to the Hinds County Courthouse and registered to vote. We had finally gotten resolve that students who go to college can register and vote,” Thompson said.

Following Jackson’s death, city and state leaders, including the mayor, expressed their condolences and thanked him for his commitment to help better the state during challenging times.

Jackson will be laid to rest Feb. 28.

Services will be held in Chicago at the Rainbow and Push Coalition headquarters at 9 a.m.

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