Jesse Jackson to step down as head of civil rights organisation Rainbow PUSH

Civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate Rev Jesse Jackson plans to step down from leading the civil rights organisation Rainbow PUSH Coalition (Meg Kinnard/AP/PA)

The Rev Jesse Jackson plans to step down from leading the Chicago civil rights organisation Rainbow PUSH Coalition he founded in 1971, his son’s congressional office has said.

A spokesperson for US Rep Jonathan Jackson confirmed the long-time civil rights leader would be retiring from the organisation.