Memorial services for Jesse Jackson begin at Chicago HQ of his civil rights group

The city of Chicago is preparing to host cross-country memorial services for the late civil rights leader, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. The services are set to begin on Thursday in Chicago, where Jackson called home for many years. A protégé of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and a two-time presidential candidate, Jackson will lie in repose for two days at the headquarters of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition before events in Washington, D.C., and South Carolina, his birthplace.

Jackson passed away last week at the age of 84 after battling a rare neurological disorder that affected his mobility and speech in his later years. The outpouring of love and support from around the globe has been overwhelming for Jackson’s family, who expressed their gratitude for the heartfelt tributes.

Tributes have been pouring in from around the world, and several U.S. states have lowered their flags to half-staff in honor of Jackson. However, the impact of his passing is most deeply felt in Chicago, where he lived and raised his family. Flowers have been left outside his home, schools have offered condolences, and city trains have displayed his portrait and his famous mantra, “I am Somebody!”

Throughout his life, Jackson fought for the underrepresented and advocated for issues such as voting rights, job opportunities, education, and healthcare. He made diplomatic strides with world leaders and used his Rainbow PUSH Coalition to push for Black pride and self-determination in corporate boardrooms, aiming to create a more equitable society.

Next week, Jackson will lie in honor at the South Carolina Statehouse before public services are held. Governor Henry McMaster is expected to deliver remarks, although his participation is not yet confirmed. Details of the Washington services have not been released, as a request for Jackson to lie in honor at the United States Capitol rotunda was denied.

The two weeks of memorial events will conclude with a celebration of life gathering at a Chicago megachurch and homegoing services at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters. Family members have stated that the services will be open to all, as they aim to honor Jackson’s extraordinary life and legacy.

As Jackson’s eldest son, Jesse Jackson Jr., said, “His life encompasses the full spectrum of what it means to be American. We only ask that people come and pay their respects in light of the remarkable life he led.”