Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., the civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate, was laid to rest on March 7, 2026, following a week of public services that drew thousands of mourners and three former U.S. presidents. Jackson, who died on Feb. 17, 2026, at age 84 from progressive supranuclear palsy, was remembered for his decades of work in the fight for racial equality and social justice.

Public Services Span Multiple Cities

Jackson’s family and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition organized a series of events across three locations, reflecting his roots in South Carolina, his influence in Washington, D.C., and his long-standing presence in Chicago. The public viewing in Chicago began on Feb. 26 and 27 at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters, 930 E. 50th St., where thousands gathered to pay their respects.

On March 2, Jackson’s body was brought to South Carolina, where he was laid in repose at the South Carolina State Capitol Rotunda in Columbia from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This was followed by a memorial service at Brookland Baptist Church, 1066 Sunset Blvd., from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., with clergy and family members sharing memories of his early life and career.

A formal funeral or memorial for dignitaries was held in Washington, D.C., on either March 4 or 5, though details were not widely publicized. The largest public event, known as “The People’s Celebration,” took place on March 6 at the House of Hope church, 752 E. 114th St., on Chicago’s South Side. The 10,000-seat facility was filled with attendees who waited in line for hours to honor Jackson.

Three Former Presidents Attend Major Event

At the March 6 service, former Presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden were among the notable attendees. Former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also attended, joining a lineup of speakers that included Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, and Rev. Al Sharpton.

President Obama reflected on Jackson’s legacy, saying, “The message he sent to a 22-year-old child of a single mother, with a funny name — an outsider — was that maybe there wasn’t any place, any room, where we didn’t belong.” He credited Jackson’s 1984 presidential campaign with inspiring him as a young man.

Biden praised Jackson as “underrated, undeterred and unafraid,” while Clinton said he came “more as a friend than a former president,” adding, “He made me a better president.”

Musical performances included Jennifer Hudson, who sang “A Change Is Gonna Come,” and gospel legends Bebe Winans and Pastor Marvin Winans. The event, which lasted over five hours, featured speeches, gospel music, and emotional tributes to Jackson’s lifelong fight for justice.

International Recognition and Public Response

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa attended the Saturday service, delivering a tribute and recognizing Jackson’s role in the global campaign against apartheid. Jackson’s family requested donations to the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in lieu of flowers, reflecting his commitment to social justice and community empowerment.

Throughout the week, mourners lined up for hours at the Rainbow PUSH headquarters in Chicago to pay their respects, many recalling Jackson’s famous mantra, “I am somebody.” His son, Yusef Jackson, said, “I know my father is smiling in heaven right now, beachside. He loved talking about his work.”

The services, which included a private “Homegoing Celebration of Life” on March 7, concluded with Jackson’s burial at Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago. His legacy continues through the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and the countless individuals he inspired throughout his career.