Civil rights icon and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Rev. Jesse Jackson passed away today at the age of 84. Through his decades of activism, Rev. Jackson influenced the lives of millions of people, fighting tirelessly for progress and equality. From working as a protégé of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to founding the National Rainbow Coalition and Operation PUSH, Rev. Jackson’s advocacy for democracy and downtrodden people everywhere cannot be overstated. People For the American Way and communities the world over feel his loss today.