U.S. civil rights leader Jesse Jackson dies at 84

NEW YORK, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Jesse Jackson, the famed U.S. civil rights leader, has died at the age of 84, his family announced on Tuesday.

Jackson marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and led the Civil Rights Movement for decades after the latter's assassination.

"He died peacefully on Tuesday morning, surrounded by his family," the statement posted on Instagram said.

"His unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights helped shape a global movement for freedom and dignity. A tireless change agent, he elevated the voices of the voiceless -- from his presidential campaign in the 1980s to mobilizing millions to register to vote -- leaving an indelible mark on history," the statement said.

In 2017, Jackson revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which affects the nervous system and slowly restricts movement and daily activities.

Jackson had built a very strong political influence both inside the United States and abroad, and he spent his life dedicated to pursuing civil rights for disenfranchised groups.

"Our father was a servant leader -- not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world," the statement said. Enditem