Longtime civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson was hospitalized for abdominal discomfort and underwent surgery, according to his organization, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
Jackson, 79, is expected to be discharged within a few days and is said to be “resting and in good spirits,” Fox 8 News reported.
“After routine medical observation, successful surgery ensued,” the coalition said in a statement. “Thank you for your continued love, support, and prayers.”
People sent their well wishes on Twitter.
“Strength & power to a people’s icon,” one person tweeted.
Another tweeted, “Sending healing thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery to Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. Get well soon. #JesseJackson.”
In 2017, Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a neurological disorder that has no cure, CNN reported. At the time of his diagnosis, Jackson said it was “a signal that I must make lifestyle changes and dedicate myself to physical therapy in hopes of slowing the disease’s progression.”
In early January, Jackson received a covid-19 vaccine shot. At the time he urged others to receive the vaccine and touted the safety of the immunization, The Chicago Tribune reported.
After the injection, Jackson, who received the Pfizer vaccine, raised his fist in the air.
“Take the vaccine,” Jackson told a crowd of healthcare workers and reporters at Chicago’s Roseland Community Hospital who watched him get vaccinated in a small tent outside the South Side hospital. “Take the vaccine now.”
There had not been any reports of Jackson experiencing adverse effects from the vaccination. Still, news of him getting the vaccine didn’t sit well with some fans on Twitter.
Listen to GHOGH with Jamarlin Martin | Episode 73: Jamarlin Martin Jamarlin makes the case for why this is a multi-factor rebellion vs. just protests about George Floyd. He discusses the Democratic Party’s sneaky relationship with the police in cities and states under Dem control, and why Joe Biden is a cop and the Steve Jobs of mass incarceration.
“#Farrakhan : “Don’t let them vaccnate you.” #JesseJackson : “Take the vaccnation!” Hospital: @plies – Let’s see if the people are paying attention and listening. #COVID19 #CovidVaccine,” said one on Twitter.
Jackson, who worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and was a two-time Democratic presidential candidate, founded Chicago’s Rainbow PUSH coalition in December 1996.
