“honor its commitment to the State of South Carolina”
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Jesse Jackson
Jesse Louis Jackson was an American civil rights activist, LGBTQ rights activist, politician, and ordained Baptist minister. A protégé of Martin Luther King Jr. and James Bevel during the civil rights movement, he became one of the most prominent civil rights leaders of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, and an ardent advocate and early supporter of LGBTQ rights in the United States. From 199…
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politics · American minister, activist and politician (1941–2026) · politician · pastor · civil rights advocate · human rights defender · founder · religious leader · cleric · also Jesse Jackson, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Jesse Jackson, Sr., Reverend Jackson, Jesse Louis Jackson Sr., Jackson
Born 8 October 1941 · Died 17 February 2026 · Q310586
116 published statements · 0 followers
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2026· 45 entries
“an aspirational agenda—an agenda that reveals the scope of action needed to meet the challenges we face, and that provides hope and galvanizes support”
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“excoriated and vilified in the court of public opinion”
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“s accomplishments and his continued relevance in current struggles. He asserted that those”
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“must prove he is worthy of the office by immediately going to work uniting the country he has done so much to divide.”
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“the result of institutionalized racism, centuries of dehumanization and the current denial of economic and political equality of opportunity”
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“there has been no significant urban, suburban, small town or rural policy to rebuild America”
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“If we can do something to encourage them to dismantle those terrorist bases, to choose to hand over the suspects and release the Christians rather than engage in a long bloody war, we”
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“In some sense, Mr. Regier is an extension of Mr. Bush”
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“the violent culture we live in—the survival of the fittest that too often calls for revenge”
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“Well, if he wins the nomination of our party, he would be well on his way. We need a new President and we need a new direction. We cannot afford any more of what George Bush represents.”
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“that public servants should never say never, and they should never say forever.”
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“not complete because there are unresolved matters”
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“s running mate and his cabinet in the event he defeated Reagan in November. On July 4, Jackson and Mondale met at the Radisson Muehlebach Hotel for more than two hours. Mondale called the meeting”
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Substack: Illinois steps up with the Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. Youth Voter Empowerment Act
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A.V. Club: Entire record labels (and Jesse Jackson) came together for two of history's greatest concert films
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ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos: Rev. Jesse Jackson's daughter reflects on his legacy: 'Before it was fashionable, he was a girl dad' - ABC News
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The Economic Times: Quote of the Day by Jesse Jackson: “Keep hope alive... suffering breeds character, character breeds...” —
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FOX Carolina News: Phillis Wheatley Community Center honoring late Rev. Jesse Jackson at annual hall of fame luncheon
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Hoodline: Greenville Honors Hometown Son Jesse Jackson at October Hall of Fame Luncheon
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The Detroit News: Before today’s progressives, there were Conyers and Jackson | Thompson
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townhall.com: The Checkered Life of Reverend Jesse Jackson
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National Urban League: National Urban League Mourns the Passing of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.
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247Sports: Mississippi State wide receiver Jesse Jackson talks first college TD
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Block Club Chicago: Chicago Theological Seminary, Alma Mater Of Rev. Jesse Jackson, To Leave Hyde Park Home
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Mshale: Rev. Jesse Jackson Weeps In Grant Park After Barack Obama Elected President In 2008 Mini Crossword Answers (kQ4DuBaXaq)
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Mshale: Former President Barack Obama Speaks At Services For Rev. Jesse Jackson Denver Airport Accident (tyfQylpJKY)
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elperiodico.digital: Jesse Jackson Deja Un Legado Histórico En EE UU
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Tallahassee Democrat: Commissioner Williams-Cox speaks fondly of Rev. Jesse Jackson
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The Palm Beach Post: West Carolina Street to honor Jesse Jackson
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Mshale: JOE BIDEN DISRESPECTS BLACK CHURCH At Jesse Jackson Funeral In Chicago Shakira (GKDAJaKpAx)
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The New York Sun: El-Sayed’s Triumph Echoes Jesse Jackson’s Surprise Michigan Primary Win in 1988
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WCTV: Tallahassee street renamed in honor of Reverend Jesse Jackson
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Snopes.com rated the claim “Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson's son Jesse Jackson Jr. said, "I listened for several hours of three United States presidents who do not know Jesse Jackson," referring to remarks former presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden made at a memorial service for his father.” Correct Attribution.
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Yahoo: Fact Check: Jesse Jackson's son said Clinton, Obama and Biden 'do not know' late civil rights leader
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The Guardian: Jesse Jackson hailed as ‘ambassador of hope’ at memorial attended by Clintons, Obama and Biden
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Associated Press News: Jennifer Hudson performs at Rev. Jesse Jackson’s funeral
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The Guardian: The Jesse Jackson I knew - podcast
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Forbes: Jesse Jackson’s Legacy: The Unfinished Work Of The Rainbow Coalition
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Snopes rated the claim “In January 1999, Civil Rights leader Jesse Jackson praised Donald Trump, saying the future U.S. president embraced the "underserved communities."” Correct Attribution.
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Snopes rated the claim “Following the Rev. Jesse Jackson's death in February 2026, his family said they did not want former President Barack Obama at his funeral.” Originated as Satire.
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Died 2026-02-17.
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“If my mind can conceive it, if my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it because I am somebody!Respect me! Protect me! Never neglect me! I am somebody! My mind is a pearl! I can learn anything in the world! Nobody can save us, from us, for us, but us! I can learn. It is possible. I ought to learn. It is moral. I must learn. It is imperative.”
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“We need a regime change in this country.... If we launch a pre-emptive strike on Iraq we lose all moral authority.”
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“We've removed the ceiling above our dreams. There are no more impossible dreams.”
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2024· 1 entry
“s response, an attack on Palestinian civilians, was a”
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2023· 1 entry
“to lay out a plan—and to call the Congress to act”
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2021· 2 entries
Awarded Commander of the Legion of Honour (2021).
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USA Today rated the claim “Charges dropped against Bill Cosby, who thanks Jesse Jackson for his early release” False.
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2020· 3 entries
Lead Stories rated the claim “Bill Clinton and Jesse Jackson did not wear a mask at July 30, 2020 funeral” Wrong Funeral.
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“African Americans in the deepest hole with the shortest rope”
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“s previous support for segregated school busing but believed”
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2014· 1 entry
Snopes.com rated the claim “Imprisoned former Congressmember Jesse Jackson, Jr. stands to collect $8,700 per month in disability payments and $45,000 per year in Congressional pension.” Unproven.
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2013· 1 entry
Jackson attended Chávez's funeral
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2012· 1 entry
When President Barack Obama came out in support of same-sex marriage in the United States, Jackson supported him, saying "This is a bold step in the right direction for equal protection under the law for all citizens" an
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2010· 1 entry
Gave a speech to a gay rights rally in San Francisco at the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which was then considering a case challenging 2008 California Proposition 8, and said:
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2009· 1 entry
Jackson served as a speaker for the International Peace Foundation on the topic "Building a culture of peace and development in a globalized world"
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2005· 2 entries
“s Operation Black Vote, a campaign Simon Woolley ran to encourage more of Britain”
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Was enlisted as part of the United Kingdom's Operation Black Vote, a campaign Simon Woolley ran to encourage more of Britain's ethnic minorities to vote in political elections ahead of the 2005 UK general election
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2004· 2 entries
Awarded James Joyce Awards (2004).
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Jackson spoke out in support of same-sex marriage in a speech in Massachusetts, which had become the first state to recognize same-sex marriage, saying, "Gays deserve the right of choice to choose their own partners"
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2003· 1 entry
Jackson spoke to over an estimated one million people in Hyde Park, London, at the culmination of the demonstration against the imminent invasion of Iraq by the U
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2002· 2 entries
Sociologist Harry Edwards noted that the University of Illinois had previously had a black quarterback, but also observed that black athletes attending predominantly white colleges during the 1950s and 1960s encountered
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Jackson joined Democrats who criticized a 1989 paper, which listed Reiger as co-chairman of the authoring group, that endorsed spanking to the point of bruises and welts and opposed married women having careers
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2001· 1 entry
Bill Clinton's final day in office, Clinton pardoned Congressman Mel Reynolds, John Bustamante, and Dorothy Rivers; Jackson had requested pardons for them
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2000· 2 entries
Won Presidential Medal of Freedom presented by Bill Clinton (2000).
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Jackson endorsed Vice President Al Gore, saying that he brought "to the table a body of invaluable accomplishments as a former congressman, senator and vice president
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1999· 1 entry
Seven Decatur, Illinois high school students were expelled for two years after participating in a brawl at a football game
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1998· 2 entries
Clinton's affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky became public, and his lying under oath about the affair led to an impeachment inquiry by the House
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Anheuser-Busch chose Yusef and his brother Jonathan to head River North Sales, a Chicago beer distribution company
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1997· 2 entries
Jackson backed Al Sharpton in his bid for mayor of New York City, denouncing Alan Hevesi for refusing to support Sharpton in the event that he won the primary, calling it "the worst conceivable time for polarizing statem
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Jackson traveled to Kenya to meet with Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi as U
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1996· 1 entry
Jackson family friend Ron Burkle introduced Anheuser-Busch CEO August Busch IV to Yusef Jackson, Jesse's son
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1993· 2 entries
Jackson joined gatherers at the Lincoln Memorial to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, walking arm-in-arm with United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Henry
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Spoke at the March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation, saying: "No more homophobia
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1992· 1 entry
Jackson and Clinton had a 40-minute meeting in Clinton's hotel suite and emerged to announce that they were both committed to defeating Bush in the general election
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1991· 2 entries
Career landmark: Shadow congressperson (1991–1997).
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Serving until 1997, when he did not run for reelection
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1990· 2 entries
Jackson attended a dinner honoring the 20th anniversary of The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, where George H
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Was elected as the District of Columbia's shadow senator, serving one term during the H
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1989· 2 entries
Won Spingarn Medal (1989).
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Awarded Honorary doctorate from the University of Cairo (1989).
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1988· 3 entries
A pro-life opinion writer in the Washington Post wrote: "He [Jackson] supports federal funding of abortion and says moral positions shouldn't be imposed on public policy
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Finishing as the runner‑up for the Democratic nomination to Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis
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Campaign: 1988 presidential election.
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1987· 4 entries
Jackson announced his candidacy in the 1988 presidential election
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While seeking the 1988 Democratic presidential nomination, Jackson was one of the leaders of the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights
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The New York Times called Jackson "a classic liberal in the tradition of the New Deal and the Great Society"
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As conducting boycotts of businesses to induce them to provide more jobs and business to blacks and as running programs for housing, social services, and voter registration
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1986· 1 entry
“number one threat to the development of this generation is drugs”
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1984· 7 entries
Election lost: 1984 presidential election.
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Where he delivered his famous "Rainbow Coalition" speech
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Campaign: 1984 presidential election.
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Jackson and Coretta Scott King sent letters to Florida governor Bob Graham asking him to halt the scheduled execution of James Dupree Henry, a black man convicted of killing Z
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Jackson organized the Rainbow Coalition and resigned as president of Operation PUSH to run for president of the United States, though he remained involved as chairman of the board
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But also noticeably lower than pre-primary polling had predicted
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“We even have blacks voting against the health care bill. You can”
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1983· 4 entries
Jackson announced his campaign for president of the United States in the 1984 election, becoming the second African American (after Shirley Chisholm) to mount a nationwide campaign for president as a Democrat
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And me meeting in the middle '90s and me buying this company in 1998", Yusef said in a 2005 interview with Crain's Chicago Business
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Jackson and Operation PUSH led a boycott of beer giant Anheuser-Busch, criticizing the level of minority employment in its distribution network
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Traveled to Syria to secure the release of the captured American pilot Robert Goodman, who was being held by the Syrian government
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1978· 3 entries
Awarded Eugene V. Debs Award (1978).
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Jackson called for a closer relationship between blacks and the Republican Party, telling the Party's National Committee that "Black people need the Republican Party to compete for us so we can have real alternatives
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Met for four hours with King's convicted assassin, James Earl Ray
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1975· 1 entry
Jackson endorsed a plan for a constitutional amendment banning abortion
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1969· 1 entry
The New York Times reported that several black leaders viewed Jackson as King's successor and that Jackson was one of the few black activists who was preaching racial reconciliation
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1968· 1 entry
And was awarded a Master of Divinity degree by Chicago Theological Seminary in 2000, based on his previously earned credits and his subsequent work and life experience
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1966· 2 entries
Three classes short of earning his master's degree, to focus full-time on the civil rights movement
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King and Bevel selected Jackson to head the Chicago branch of the SCLC's economic arm, Operation Breadbasket, and he was promoted to national director in 1967
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1965· 1 entry
Participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches organized by James Bevel, King, and other civil rights leaders in Alabama
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1964· 1 entry
Then attended the Chicago Theological Seminary on a scholarship
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1960· 2 entries
While he was home from college, Jackson joined seven other African Americans in a sit-in at the Greenville Public Library in Greenville, South Carolina, which only allowed white people
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Because he had been placed on academic probation, but the university's president reported in 1987 that Jackson's 1960 freshman transcript was clean and that he would have been eligible to re-enroll at any time
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1959· 1 entry
Jackson rejected a contract from a minor-league professional baseball team so that he could attend the University of Illinois on a football scholarship
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1941· 2 entries
Born 1941-10-08.
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In Greenville, South Carolina, to Helen Burns, an 18-year-old high school student, and her 33-year-old married neighbor Noah Louis Robinson
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