Reverend Jesse Jackson has been released from a rehabilitation center after recovering from an illness and subsequent surgery. After his extended stay at a medical facility in the Chicago area, Jackson said he felt "strengthened" and motivated to continue his lifelong work.
“Today, I walked out returning home, and work strengthened. I look forward to returning to work to continue to make a difference in racial injustices, and I look forward to the next march,” Rev. Jesse Jackson stated.
Initially, Jackson was admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital after experiencing "abdominal discomfort" in January. Soon thereafter, he underwent gallbladder surgery and was moved to a rehab center. In addition to his recent "abdominal discomfort," Jackson was also diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease back in 2017.
"[This is] a signal that I must make lifestyle changes and dedicate myself to physical therapy in hopes of slowing the disease's progression," the civil rights leader said.
Despite his recent setbacks, Jackson has continued to fight for the advancement of marginalized communities across the country. Not long before his most recent hospitalization, he traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin. While there, he spoke about the shooting of Jacob Blake Jr.
"Today, there's a moral desert, top-down. The acid rain is coming, top-down," he said during a press conference.
"That kind of moral desert hurts all of America."
Jackson works as the head of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, an organization dedicated to the advancement of disenfranchised groups. While Jackson was hospitalized, the organization host virtual summits with educators, financial leaders and law enforcement professionals. He also paid homage to his late friend and civil rights leader, Vernon Jordan. At the end of March, Jackson is set to take part in the 24th annual Wall Street Project.
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