Visitors gathered at Rainbow PUSH headquarters in Kenwood on Thursday to pay their respects to Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., whose weeklong “Celebration of Life” began with a public viewing. The civil rights leader, who died February 17 at age 84, was remembered by community members and dignitaries for his decades of advocacy rooted in Chicago’s South Side.
A recording of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” played as mourners arrived, reflecting Jackson’s legacy in the struggle for economic and social justice. Lines formed along Drexel Boulevard outside Rainbow PUSH, where Jackson lay in repose until late Thursday evening and throughout Friday.
Events honoring Jackson will continue into next week, including a period lying in honor at the South Carolina statehouse on Monday, a formal service in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, and ceremonies with fellow activists on March 5. A public home-going ceremony is scheduled for March 6 at House of Hope in Pullman, followed by a celebration of life at Rainbow PUSH the next day. Services will be livestreamed online.
Charles Jenkins, a board member at Rainbow PUSH, said: “We want to welcome the public to come show their love and respect for a man who showed so much love and respect for all of humanity.”
Family members attended alongside notable figures such as Rev. Al Sharpton, retired Rep. Bobby Rush, Mayor Brandon Johnson, and Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry. Lowry remarked after his visit: “We all are to live Galatians, we are to love and serve — [Jackson] modeled that. He modeled that in a way that made all of us try to emulate [him]. We must continue that moving forward.”
Angela Hall, who lives near Rainbow PUSH and whose sons participate in its STEM programs, encouraged Chicagoans to honor Jackson’s memory through public gestures like renaming parks or establishing holidays: “They can be great, they [can be] in politics — they [can] fight for people,” she said about her sons’ inspiration from Jackson.
A large video display outside the headquarters showed highlights from Jackson’s life while recordings of his speeches played nearby. Eric Lewis from the Untouchables group broadcast Jackson’s 1988 Democratic National Convention speech for young attendees: “They weren’t even born… We let the kids know the importance of this man… it was a calling; he was chosen to do what he did.”
Community members recalled personal experiences with Jackson’s work. Carolyn Gaines distributed peppermints to those waiting outside and remembered being fed by one of his social programs as a child: “It’s very important to share with one another. It’s very important to give.”
Jackson’s focus on economic justice included opposition to Reagan-era policies and recent support for diversity efforts amid corporate rollbacks last year. His early calls for action against student loan debt were also highlighted by Sabrina Patch from Operation PUSH: “He was so visionary… He brought up issues that people weren’t even thinking about.” During his presidential campaigns in the 1980s he advocated policies such as reparations for Black Americans—issues still largely unaddressed today.
Students from King Academy of Social Justice performed “I Am – Somebody,” a poem adapted by Jackson during an appearance on Sesame Street in 1972—a moment marked by both tears and celebration among attendees.
Yvonne Williams summed up many feelings present at the gathering: “We’re blessed we had him, and we had him for so long… This is a celebration of life.”
