Former Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has expressed his “deep sense of loss” on the death of US Civil Rights Leader Rev. Jesse Jackson.
Mr. Adams said, “I had the great honour and privilege of meeting Jesse Jackson many times in the USA and here in Ireland. He was a fearless and inspirational civil rights leader and a tireless advocate for equality and justice in the USA and elsewhere, including Ireland.
“Jesse Jackson was a remarkable and compassionate human being who believed in the essential goodness of people.
“In Irish there is a saying: “Is ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine” which translates as: “We all live in each other’s shadow.” Few people understood this better than Jesse Jackson. It was a fundamental part of who he was.
“Rev. Jackson also understood the significant influence that the Civil Rights Movement in the USA had on the Civil Rights Movement in the North in the 1960s.
“He was a staunch supporter of the Irish peace process and a defender of the Good Friday Agreement. In 2017 he visited Derry where he opened the newly rebuilt Museum of Free Derry along with Martin McGuinness’s wife Bernie and son Fiachra. He later visited Martin’s graveside.
“In 2020 Rev Jackson sent a video message to an Irish-American conference in New York. He said: “We’re not going backwards; we’re not going to give up. It’s a healing time, it’s hope time. I stand with people of Ireland and Irish Americans and Irish in Ireland. Fred Douglass was there, and I’ve been there. I look forward to coming to Ireland again. Please let me come back. I love you guys very much.”
“I want to extend to Jesse’s wife Jacqueline; their children – Santita, Jesse Jr., Jonathan, Yusef, Jacqueline; daughter Ashley Jackson, and grandchildren, his friends and colleagues our sincerest condolences and solidarity on this death.
“Jesse Jackson was a good friend to Ireland, an inspiring leader and he will be missed. Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam dílis.”
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD has expressed her deep sadness at the death of US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, describing him as “a giant of the struggle for justice and equality and a true friend of Ireland.”
Ms McDonald said, “I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jesse Jackson, a towering figure in the US civil rights movement and a lifelong champion of equality, peace and human dignity. He was also a steadfast friend of Ireland and a consistent supporter of the cause of Irish self-determination.
“Jesse Jackson took a close interest in developments in Ireland over many decades. He visited our country, engaged with political leaders and lent his voice to the cause of peace and reconciliation.
“He was also a friend to Sinn Féin who valued dialogue and engagement as the pathway to peace and progress. At crucial moments, he used his international standing to encourage dialogue, always guided by his belief in justice and equality.
“Jesse Jackson stood shoulder to shoulder with Martin Luther King Jr. and carried forward the flame of the civil rights struggle in the decades that followed. Through his campaigns for social and economic justice, he gave voice to the marginalised and challenged injustice wherever he saw it.
“He understood that civil rights were inseparable from economic rights – that the fight against racism was also a fight against poverty, exclusion and inequality. That message resonates far beyond the United States.
“Throughout his life, he stood in solidarity with oppressed peoples around the world. His belief in peace, dialogue and human rights inspired millions.
“On behalf of Sinn Féin, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Jesse Jackson’s wife Jacqueline; their children and grandchildren, his friends and colleagues and all those in the United States and beyond who mourn his passing. His legacy will endure in every movement that seeks justice, equality and dignity for all.
