chicago — Three former US presidents, Grammy Award-winning artists, clergy and elected officials are expected to attend a celebration of life in Chicago on Friday for the deceased. Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.
The ceremony honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s disciple and two-time presidential candidate follows a memorial service Which attracted large crowds In Chicago and South CarolinaWhere the civil rights leader was born.
The Chicago celebration — at an influential black church with a 10,000-seat arena — is expected to be the largest. Former US Democratic Presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Bill Clinton, along with former Vice President Kamala Harris, plan to attend, according to the Rainbow PUSH coalition, the organization founded by Jackson. The musical lineup includes gospel singer BeBe Winans.
“These home services are welcome to everyone. Democrat, Republican, liberal, conservative, rightist, leftist because his life is broad enough to cover the full scope of what it means to be an American,” the civil rights leader said. Son of Jesse Jackson Jr. he said last month. “Dad wanted us to have a great meeting to discuss our differences, find ways to move forward and move together.”
Jackson the eldest He died last month At the age of 84 after fighting A A rare neurological disorder Which affected his movement and ability to speak. Family members say he continued to come into the office until last year, communicating through hand signals. His recent public appearances have included the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Jackson’s endeavors were countless, taking him all over the world: advocating for the poor and underrepresented on issues including voting rights, health care, employment opportunities, and education. He has scored diplomatic victories with world leaders and, through the Rainbow PUSH coalition, taken cries for black pride and self-determination to corporate boardrooms and pressured CEOs to make America a more open and equitable society.
Jackson’s services in Chicago and South Carolina attracted civic leaders, school groups and laypeople who said they were touched by Jackson’s work, from scholarship programs to prisoner advocacy. Several states lowered their flags at half-mast in his honor.
Services were held in Washington, D.C. following a request to allow Jackson to lie in his honor in the rotunda of the United States Capitol. It has been rejected before House Speaker Mike Johnson, who said precedent usually reserves space for select officials, including former presidents. Details of the future event have not been announced.
Jackson in his final months He received many visitors in Chicago, including the Clintons and the Rev. Al Sharpton, who also attended his memorial service in Chicago last week.
“He was the main mentor in my life,” Sharpton said. “Our challenge is to make sure that everything he lived for is not in vain.”