Former Bayelsa East Senator, Ben Murray-Bruce, has shared his profound sorrow following the death of the iconic American civil rights leader, Jesse Jackson, who passed away at the age of 84. Reflecting on a life marked by tireless advocacy for justice, equality, and human dignity, Murray-Bruce described Jackson as a dear friend and a global symbol of courage, vision, and compassion.
Murray-Bruce recounted the first time he met Jackson in the early 1980s, around 1982 or 1983, just before Jackson launched his first campaign for the presidency of the United States under the Democratic Party. Their meeting took place at an event held at Solar Records during a cool jazz festival, an occasion meant to celebrate Black culture and music. At the time, tensions had arisen among local Black promoters who felt sidelined by the predominantly white organizers managing the festival. Jackson, already renowned for his unwavering commitment to justice, intervened and helped resolve the dispute. “From that very moment, a friendship was born,” Murray-Bruce recalled, emphasizing how Jackson’s dedication to fairness and equity left a lasting impression.
Over the years, Murray-Bruce maintained a close relationship with Jackson, accompanying him through the pivotal moments of his presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988. Jackson’s political journey, in which he placed third in the 1984 Democratic primaries and second in 1988, became defining moments in American political history, particularly as an inspiration to generations of African Americans striving for greater political representation. Murray-Bruce highlighted that witnessing Jackson’s courage and tenacity during those campaigns offered him a firsthand view of how leadership grounded in moral conviction could influence a nation.
The former senator also shared vivid memories of Jackson’s humanitarian efforts and his deep concern for Africa during the apartheid era. On one occasion, Jackson reached out to Murray-Bruce for help in securing an aircraft from Nigeria, allowing him to visit several frontline African nations that had recently suffered attacks from South African forces. Recognizing the importance of Jackson’s mission, Murray-Bruce contacted then-Foreign Affairs Minister Bolaji Akinyemi, who facilitated the arrangement. Jackson flew into Lagos, and together they traveled across Southern Africa, visiting countries including Mozambique, Angola, and Zimbabwe. During the journey, they met with presidents, leaders of the frontline states, and representatives of the African National Congress in exile in Lusaka. Murray-Bruce described these experiences as moments that highlighted Jackson’s unwavering dedication to freedom, justice, and solidarity across continents.
Beyond politics and activism, Murray-Bruce emphasized Jackson’s role as a torchbearer of the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., carrying forward the ideals of nonviolence, equality, and empowerment for marginalized communities. “To have known Jesse personally, to have witnessed his work up close, and to have shared these transformative experiences with him was one of the greatest honours of my life,” he reflected. He described Jackson not just as an activist or politician, but as a servant leader whose compassion extended to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked across the world.
Murray-Bruce concluded by expressing that the loss of Jackson leaves a profound void in the fight for justice and human rights. Yet, he emphasized, the enduring impact of Jackson’s work, his vision, and his unwavering belief in equality will continue to inspire future generations. “Jesse Jackson’s life was a testament to the power of courage, conviction, and love,” he said. “His legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of all those who strive for a world where justice and dignity prevail.”
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