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Rev. Jesse Jackson: Thousands Gather to Honor Civil Rights Leader During Second Day of Visitation at Rainbow PUSH Headquarters in Chicago

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In a heartfelt homage to an enduring champion of civil rights, memorial services for the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. continued in Chicago on Friday. Following these Chicago ceremonies, further tributes are set to take place in Washington, D.C., and South Carolina, the state of his birth, to commemorate his profound impact on the movement.

Jesse Jackson Sr., who passed away on February 17 at the age of 84, left behind a remarkable legacy that continues to inspire many.

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The atmosphere outside Rainbow PUSH Headquarters in Kenwood was one of solemn reverence as thousands gathered to pay their respects to the civil rights icon. People patiently waited their turn in line, eager to honor the man who had dedicated his life to fighting for equality and justice.

Rod Tyler, reflecting on Jackson’s influence, remarked, “I think what he’s done has an impact on us, how people should get along with each other and made the world a better place.”

Thousands continued to pay respects to civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson on the second day of visitation Friday at Rainbow PUSH HQ in Chicago.

Echoing this sentiment, Annie Aggens shared, “We should all be here and we should all be celebrating, especially during these times, to have someone to look up to, someone who stood up for what they know is right.”

Sabrina Jeffries brought her nieces and nephews.

“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.

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.

Rev. Jesse Jackson’s memorial services have been a full-circle moment for the Chicago funeral home leading them.

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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