The late Rev. Jesse Jackson, a prominent figure in the civil rights movement who passed away at the age of 84, was known for his extensive activism across the United States, including significant moments in Austin. Jackson, who made two presidential runs and collaborated closely with Martin Luther King Jr., led a notable march to the Texas Capitol in the mid-1990s. This demonstration focused on opposing efforts by both state and federal authorities to dismantle affirmative action, as documented in archives from local newspapers.
This rally occurred just months prior to a landmark legal decision that effectively banned affirmative action for Black and Mexican American students at the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Law, a case known as Hopwood v. Texas.
Jackson’s activism began in 1960 when he campaigned for the desegregation of a library in his hometown of Greenville, South Carolina. Soon after, he was chosen by King to lead Operation Breadbasket, a vital initiative aimed at improving economic conditions for the African American community.
Following King’s assassination, Jackson continued his advocacy by establishing the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, a nonprofit organization based in Chicago dedicated to civil rights and social justice.
Margaret Justus, who encountered Jackson while working for former Texas Governor Ann Richards, reflected on his significant influence, describing him as a man who consistently responded to injustices. “He motivated so many young people to get involved and to speak out, use their First Amendment rights, speak out against injustice everywhere,” Justus noted.
Jackson’s commitment to affirmative action in Austin persisted into the 2000s, where he delivered impactful speeches to large audiences at venues such as Waterloo Park and Huston-Tillotson University. He also organized youth voting rallies at local high schools, encouraging civic engagement among young residents.
In the fall of 2003, Jackson engaged with the Austin Police Department to address its relationship with the Black community following the tragic shooting of 20-year-old Jessie Owens by a white police officer. “There must be a message to the community that there are deterrents to killing unarmed people,” Jackson stated after a meeting with the police chief. “We will not rest until those deterrents are there. We want good community relations, but this pattern of killing must stop,” he asserted.
In 2021, Jackson joined forces with Texas leaders including Willie Nelson and Beto O’Rourke in a four-day protest against legislative attempts to impose further restrictions on voting rights, showcasing his enduring commitment to social justice.
