CHICAGO (WLS) — The passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson has prompted an outpouring of heartfelt tributes from his neighbors, who have left roses and farewell notes. They remember him not only as an iconic figure but also as a cherished friend.
“You might think that someone of his stature would be somewhat distant when he returns home, but he was incredibly connected,” said Oliver Speller, a neighbor of Jackson.
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Beyond his role as a political leader, Jackson touched the lives of many in Chicago and around the globe, capturing their hearts and inspiring change.
“He transformed the challenges he faced into sources of strength and became an inspiration for everyone,” said his son, Jesse Jackson Jr.
SEE ALSO: Civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson dies in Chicago at age 84
Jesse Jackson Jr. recounted being by his father’s side as he took his final breath on Tuesday morning. The world reflects on Jackson’s groundbreaking legacy, notably as the first Black man to run for president, paving the way for leaders like former President Barack Obama.
“As a family, we were praying for him to hold on, but he is now at peace. The last few days were serene and calm,” Jackson Jr. shared.
Even with while battling Parkinson’s and pseudo nuclear palsy disease, his children said he never gave up the fight of giving back tasking them to do the same.
“I feel an obligation to help those that cannot speak up for themselves, people that have experienced wrongful sentences, people invested such as school closings, people that have been discriminated on their job fighting for economic opportunity,” Jonathan Jackson said.
As neighbors said their final goodbyes, they recognize his journey from segregated South Carolina. To founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. But they know him as a man who sat on their porches and became family.
“Always vigilant, always we’re here for our celebrations, prom, graduation, and just, it’s a family. It was always, it’s always been a strong family man and very supportive,” Speller said.
Now, those like Speller said it’s everyone else’s turn to take up the mantle Jackson leaves behind.
“If we all did what he stood for, America would be a better place,” Speller said.
Back in November, his family said that while Rev. Jackson was in the hospital, there were moments where he woke up and his mind was sharp and he talked about having dreams seeing Martin Luther King and he turned to his family and tasked them with ending hunger across the city and the nation. So even until his last breath, Jackson never stopped fighting for others.
Tuesday morning people have been coming to pay their respects, leaving flowers, cards, and balloons outside the Rainbow Push Coalition as people remember the Reverend Jesse Jackson.
“When I prayed over him last night,” Fr. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church. “I thanked him for the friend he was.
Father Pfleger spent Monday night praying with the Jackson family. He’s has known Reverend Jesse Jackson for years, often times standing next to him, advocating for civil rights and social justice.
“We marched together,” Fr. Pfleger said. “We went to jail together. You know I remember we were in jail after fighting at Riverdale Chuck’s gun shop. Now we’re in handcuffs in jail and he looks over me, says so what we’re going to do when we get out of here?”
His impacts were felt beyond Chicago.
Father Pfleger said there was so much more to Reverend Jackson than the public persona people witnessed.
“We saw him always so strong up at podiums and pulpits and press conference fighting, but privately he hurt so when we saw the injustices, when he thought about the lack of access to opportunities for children, when he’d see gun violence taking children’s lives he felt it so deeply,” Fr. Pfleger said.
Jackson was the founder of the Rainbow Push Coalition, which he led until 2023.
Tuesday morning, people stood outside the coalition’s headquarters to pay their respects at times getting emotional as they reflected on Jackson’s legacy.
“I felt like he was family,” Mary Johnson said. “He did a lot things for me and the community as well, serving breakfast to the people. Clothing, everything. He was a pillar to the community.”
“My father who was a leader of the local SCLC, which was an organization of Martin Luther King in New York, coming here to see Jesse Jackson in-person was a highlight of my entire life,” Carolyn Dunbar said.
The Rainbow Push Coalition will be announcing final arrangement and public observances for the late Reverend Jesse Jackson soon.
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