Jesse Jackson, a key figure in the civil rights movement, died at age 84. UK leaders and politicians honoured his powerful work against racism and inequality here. Diane Abbott called him a “direct connection to the great era of civil rights.” Jackson fought for racial justice in the UK for decades, tackling institutional racism, economic and health inequalities, and criminal justice issues. Bell Ribeiro-Addy, MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill, praised his message as “absolutely relevant today” amid rising racism. She highlighted his belief in international solidarity among people of African descent, rooted in the pan-African traditions of Marcus Garvey and Kwame Nkrumah. Jackson visited Manchester in 2007 on his nine-city “Equanomics” tour marking 200 years since slavery's abolition. He spoke powerfully about Black communities’ contributions to Britain’s wealth and history. He told audiences in Bristol, "We as Africans are creditors, not debtors. Our energies fuelled the Industrial Revolution. We fought and died in World War One and World War Two. Today we are free but not equal." He stood firm with Black British communities after uprisings and injustices, flying from the US to support them. Diane Abbott recalled Jackson as “very smart, warm and hugely charismatic.” In 1985, he joined a Trafalgar Square protest with Abbott and others demanding UK end support for apartheid in South Africa. Jackson also backed the beginnings of UK Black History Month, attending key events with major activists and artists. He grew up in segregated America, campaigning alongside Martin Luther King Jr., and supported democratic participation worldwide. In 2013, 50 years after King’s death, Jackson spoke to the BBC about inclusion and unity in voting rights. Lord Simon Woolley, founder of Operation Black Vote, mourned Jackson as a mentor who helped register tens of thousands of Black and Brown voters in the UK. Ribeiro-Addy recalled meeting Jackson many times and praised his inspiring role in helping UK Black communities gain political representation. She said, “We saw those first four Black MPs elected in 1987 — and I now sit in the most diverse parliament this country’s ever seen.”