In Chicago, memorial tributes for the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. continued on Friday, setting the stage for further commemorations in Washington, D.C., and his birthplace, South Carolina. These events are dedicated to celebrating his profound impact on civil rights.
Jackson, a towering figure in the fight for equality, passed away on February 17 at the age of 84.
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A large crowd gathered patiently outside the Rainbow PUSH Headquarters in Kenwood, each person eager for the opportunity to pay their respects to the revered civil rights leader.
“His contributions have profoundly influenced how we interact with one another, fostering a more harmonious world,” remarked Rod Tyler.
Echoing this sentiment, Annie Aggens added, “In times like these, it’s vital to celebrate those who courageously advocate for justice. He’s someone we can all admire.”
Sabrina Jeffries attended the service with her nieces and nephews, underscoring the importance of passing on Jackson’s legacy to future generations.
“I hope they learn where they came from about their history and all the people that fought before him fought for them to be here today and have the opportunities that they have today,” Jeffries said.
RELATED | Rev. Jesse Jackson visitation continues at Rainbow PUSH HQ | LIVE Updates
Rev. Jackson died last week after being diagnosed with a rare neurodegenerative disease. He was 84 and left a lifetime of service in bringing more equality to education, workplaces and politics.
Some of Jackson’s family greeted people waiting, sometimes hearing stories they say they had never heard.
“Our family while mourning we recognize at the same time that the community itself it mourning,” Jesse Jackson Jr. said.
Jackson Jr. says his father taught them how to comfort people and now they are comforting while also being comforted.
“I’ve been trying to keep it together but it’s the community outpouring of love that’s just taken me aback,” granddaughter Jessica Jackson said.
“He would have loved this, because he was so foundational to this community. He loved everybody, just hearing everybody’s stories. It’s beautiful, but it’s hard,” grandson Jesse Jackson III said.
Friday morning, the Jackson children loaded up their father’s casket into a gold and black hearse that will soon drive the reverend to his home state of South Carolina.
It’s part of a monumental homegoing for the late civil rights icon led by Chicago’ Leak & Sons Funeral Homes. But, this isn’t just another job for the business. The funeral director called this a full-circle moment.
A brand-new hearse from Leak & Sons Funeral Homes, that Rev. Jackson’s body will be the first to ride in, will be driven from Chicago to his home state of South Carolina. It’s a full-circle moment for the Leak family, whose history goes back to when Jackson first moved to Chicago.
“Thank you to him and the Jackson family for allowing me… to be apart,” said Spencer Leak, Jr. with Leak & Sons Funeral Homes.
It’s been a week on the job for Leak, Jr. as he plans the funeral for a civil rights icon to the world, but an old friend to his family.
“I’ve been given an awesome responsibility because of this awesome man, and I just want everything to go perfectly for him,” Leak, Jr. “Reverend Evans came to my grandfather and said, ‘Hey, we need to find this young preacher and his family a place to stay. My granddad, A.R. Leak said, ‘We don’t have to go searching. They can just move in with me.”
Leak’s family house in the South Shore neighborhood would then become the first home the Jacksons moved to in Chicago.
Leak’s father, the president of Leak & Sons, was honored during Friday’s celebration of life for Rev. Jackson, while some of the Jackson children placed their father’s casket into the brand-new hearse Friday morning.
“He is going to be the first person in that hearse that I personally wanted for him,” Leak, Jr. said.
Soon, Leak will get behind the wheel and drive Jackson to his home state of South Carolina to continue his celebration of life there.
“We’ll slow down in a few states so others can pay their respects to Reverend Jackson,” Leak, Jr. said.
Leak says they plan to take off from Chicago early Saturday for the roughly 13-hour journey.
The full schedule of services is as follows:
Thursday, Feb. 26
Lying in State at Rainbow PUSH Coalition
Location: 930 E. 50th St., Chicago, IL 60615
Doors open: 10 a.m.
Friday, Feb. 27
Lying in State at Rainbow PUSH Coalition
Location: 930 E. 50th St., Chicago, IL 60615
Doors open: 10 a.m.
The Chicago Office of Emergency Management announced street closures ahead of Thursday and Friday’s visitation.
Street closures begin at 5:30 a.m. until 11:15 p.m. and affect north and southbound Lanes of South Drexel Boulevard between East Hyde Park Boulevard (51st Street) and East 49th Street.
East 50th Street between South Drexel Avenue and South Ellis Avenue will also be closed
Entry, Lines and Security
Main entry and rideshare drop-off: East 49th Street and South Drexel and East Hyde Park and South Drexel
Accessible drop-off at East 50th Street and South Ellis Avenue
Line forms along South Drexel
Attendees will go through magnetometer screening before entering.
Sunday, March 1 through Thursday, March 5
Travel to and from South Carolina and Washington, D.C.
Monday, March 2
Lying in Repose at South Carolina State Capitol – Rotunda
Location: 1100 Gervais St., Columbia, South Carolina
10 a.m. EST – Private Service of Remembrance
Reserved for family members, clergy, and invited guests
10:30 a.m. EST – Public Service
Remarks from Gov. Henry McMaster
Reflections from local state and federal leaders
Musical selections by Allen University and/or Benedict College Choir
Wreath placement ceremony
6 p.m. EST – Church Service at Brookland Baptist Church
1066 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia, South Carolina
Friday, March 6
The People’s Celebration at House of Hope
Location: 752 E. 114th St., Chicago, IL 60628
Doors open: 9 a.m.
Service: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday, March 7
Private Homegoing Celebration at Rainbow PUSH Coalition
Location: 930 E. 50th St., Chicago, IL 60615
Doors open: 8 a.m.
Service: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Limited capacity
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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