Chicago Mourns Civil Rights Icon Jesse Jackson as Memorial Services Commence
Crowds of mourners gathered in Chicago on Thursday as memorial services for the Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. began at the headquarters of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the organisation he founded and led for decades. The late civil rights leader, who passed away last week at age 84, will lie in repose at the stately brick building for two days, with floral tributes lining the sidewalks and a large video screen displaying excerpts from his most iconic speeches.
A Legacy Honoured in His Adopted Hometown
Family members, visibly emotional, watched as Jackson's casket was brought into the building, marking the start of a two-week series of memorial events that will travel to Washington, D.C., and his birthplace of South Carolina. The city of Chicago, where Jackson lived for decades and raised his six children, has felt his loss profoundly. Public schools have offered condolences, and city trains have displayed his portrait alongside his famous mantra, "I am Somebody!"
"The outpouring of love and support received from around the globe has been abundant and deeply felt," Jackson's family stated recently. Bouquets have accumulated outside the family's Tudor-style home on the South Side, reflecting the deep local connection.
Diplomatic and Activist Achievements Remembered
Jackson's causes were vast, spanning advocacy for the poor and underrepresented on issues including voting rights, job opportunities, education, and healthcare. As a protege of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and a two-time presidential candidate, he scored diplomatic victories with world leaders and used the Rainbow PUSH Coalition to channel cries for Black pride into corporate boardrooms, pressuring executives toward a more equitable society.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson praised Jackson as "a freedom fighter, philosopher, and faithful shepherd of his family and community." Several U.S. states, including Minnesota, Iowa, and North Carolina, are flying flags at half-staff in his honour.
Memorial Schedule and Capitol Snub
Next week, Jackson will lie in honour at the South Carolina Statehouse, followed by public services. According to Rainbow PUSH's agenda, Governor Henry McMaster is expected to deliver remarks, though his office confirmed participation was not yet finalised. Jackson spent his childhood and began his activism in South Carolina.
However, he will not lie in honour at the United States Capitol rotunda after House Speaker Mike Johnson's office denied the request for commemoration. Details on Washington services remain undisclosed.
The memorial events will conclude with a large celebration of life at a Chicago megachurch and homegoing services at Rainbow PUSH headquarters. Jackson's eldest son, Jesse Jackson Jr., emphasised that the services are open to all, stating, "His life is broad enough to cover the full spectrum of what it means to be American. We only ask people to come and be respectful in context of the extraordinary life he lived."
Jackson died after battling a rare neurological disorder that affected his mobility and speech in his later years, but his legacy as a tireless advocate for justice and equality endures.
