Rev. Jesse Jackson

Thousands gathered across Chicago this week to honor the life and legacy of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the civil rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, as a series of memorial events unfolded throughout the city he long called home.

A formal procession began at Leak & Sons Funeral Home in the Grand Crossing neighborhood before traveling to the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters on East 50th Street.

The organization announced that Rev. Jackson would lie in repose for two days, allowing members of the public to pay their respects.

Among those present at the headquarters was former U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr., who spoke to supporters about his father’s lifelong commitment to equality and social justice.

Standing beside civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton, Jackson Jr. reflected on his father’s decades of work advocating for voting rights, economic opportunity, and international human rights causes.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also attended the memorial, describing Rev. Jackson as a transformative figure in the city’s political and social landscape. Johnson emphasized Jackson’s role in mentoring young leaders and building coalitions across racial and economic lines.

Rev. Jesse Jackson rose to national prominence during the civil rights movement, working closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s.

He later founded Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity), which evolved into the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, an organization focused on civil rights, political empowerment, and social justice initiatives.

Jackson made history with his presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988, becoming one of the first African American candidates to mount serious bids for a major party nomination.

His campaigns expanded voter participation and reshaped the Democratic Party’s national platform.

Community members lined streets along the procession route, including longtime Chicago resident Irvin Clay, who described Rev. Jackson as “a voice for people who felt unheard.”

Faith leaders, elected officials, and activists continued to gather throughout the day, sharing memories of his activism and leadership.

Organizers confirmed that additional memorial services are scheduled later this week, with national political figures expected to attend.

City officials coordinated traffic closures and security measures to accommodate the large crowds.

Rev. Jesse Jackson’s pᴀssing marks the end of an era for Chicago and the broader civil rights movement, but supporters say his influence will continue through the insтιтutions he built and the leaders he inspired.