Reverend Jesse Jackson received a standing ovation at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago on Monday during a surprise appearance. Known for his pivotal role in the US civil rights movement, Jackson was honored for his relentless dedication to civil rights and equality.
At 82 years old, Jackson appeared on stage in a wheelchair due to his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease, which has kept him out of the public eye since his diagnosis in 2017. He was joined on stage by Reverend Al Sharpton and NAACP President Derrick Johnson but did not speak during the event.
Earlier in the evening, Democratic Party Chair Jamie Harrison highlighted Jackson’s influential 1984 DNC speech in Chicago, which inspired him and many others to “keep hope alive.” Jackson, who worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr., founded the civil rights organization Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) after King’s assassination in 1968.
The DNC, which began on August 19 in Chicago, featured keynote speakers including First Lady Jill Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Kamala Harris, who has been officially recognized as the Democratic nominee for president, is the first Asian American and Black woman to lead a major party ticket. Kamala Harris secured the nomination after President Joe Biden stepped back from the race due to concerns about his age and his poor performance in a debate with Donald Trump. Trump, meanwhile, is seeking a return to the White House following his 2020 defeat.
