Rev. Jesse Jackson Celebrates His 80th Birthday In Harlem
Rev. Jesse Jackson turned 80 years old on Oct. 8 and he had a birthday bash Friday (Oct. 22) in Harlem.
According to CBSNewYork, his family, friends and colleagues gathered at the National Action Network, founded by Rev. Al Sharpton, headquarters to salute the civil rights icon. New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio was also in attendance.
Rev. Jesse Jackson was born in Greenville, South Carolina in 1941. In the 1960s Jackson participated in the civil rights movement, marching alongside Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and served as national director for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).
After leaving SCLC, Jackson founded Operation Push (later Rainbow/Push) to help further the rights of underserved communities. An international operator, Jackson has negotiated the release of Americans held captive in Cuba, Iraq and Syria.The Rev. Jesse Jackson was also a Democratic presidential candidate in 1984 and 1988.
Rev. Jesse Jackson, who is vaccinated for COVID, recently recovered from fighting the coronavirus.
