Political leaders, activists remember civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson

People and leaders from around the world are remembering civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Jackson died Tuesday morning in Chicago surrounded by family.

Reverend Al Sharpton was among those paying tribute to Jackson.

“My mentor, Rev. Jesse Jackson, has passed,” Sharpton said. “I just prayed with his family by phone. He was a consequential and transformative leader who changed this nation and the world. He shaped public policy and changed laws. He kept the dream alive and taught young children from broken homes, like me, that we don’t have broken spirits,” Sharpton wrote. “He told us we were somebody and made us believe. I will always cherish him taking me under his wing, and I will forever try to do my part to keep hope alive.”

Jackson worked alongside Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. King’s daughter, Bernice King, shared a photo of her father with Jackson, writing, “Both now ancestors…”

President Donald Trump also praised Jackson in a post, saying in part, “He was a good man, with lots of personality, grit, and “street smarts.” He was very gregarious – Someone who truly loved people!”

Former Vice President Kamala Harris also shared a tribute to Jackson on social media.

“Reverend Jesse Jackson was one of America’s greatest patriots. He spent his life summoning all of us to fulfill the promise of America and building the coalitions to make that promise real.”

Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King said Jackson was a towering voice and a devoted servant of justice.

“Reverend Jackson was more than a civil rights advocate. He was a living bridge between generations carrying forward the unfinished work and sacred promise of the civil rights movement”

Congressman Danny Davis said in a statement in part, “Reverend Jackson was one of the greatest moral voices of our time. He dedicated his life to fighting for those who had been left out and left behind. He gave voice to the poor, the oppressed, the forgotten, and the marginalized. He helped our nation live closer to its promise of justice and equality for all.”

Jerry Thomas a former spokesperson for Rev. Jackson, said he should be remembered as someone who sacrificed tremendously to advocate for people in need of all colors.

“I remember going into Appalachia and he was fighting for the rights of people whose family had died of black lung disease. These were Caucasians who lived in the hills of Ohio, Reverend Jackson was someone who was tirelessly working for people.”

Del Marie Cobb, a former press secretary for Jackson, said he knew everything that was going on in the world and always had opinions on how to make things better.

“He was able to step in and return hostage when nobody else could. Here’s an ordinary person that is not part of the government but was able to reach out to other countries and collaborate with them to bring endings back that were beneficial to the United States when people in the government weren’t able to do that. So that was his life. That was not something he had to work at.”

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacey Gates said in a statement in part, “Today, the downtrodden, the dispossessed and the marginalized lost our most fierce and brilliant champion-Revered Jesse Jackson. Our superhero. Our civil rights leader. Our moral compass. Our giant. Our American Patriot.”