Memorial Services Expanded for Civil Rights Leader Rev. Jesse Jackson

Events planned in Washington, D.C. and South Carolina to honor the late activist's life and legacy.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Memorial services honoring the life of the late civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. will be expanded beyond Chicago, with additional events planned in Washington, D.C. and South Carolina. Jackson, a protégé of Martin Luther King Jr. and two-time presidential candidate, passed away earlier this week at the age of 84 after battling a rare neurological disorder.

Why it matters

Rev. Jesse Jackson was a towering figure in the civil rights movement, working alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and continuing the fight for racial justice and equality for decades. His death marks the end of an era, and the expanded memorial services reflect the national significance of his life and legacy.

The details

In addition to the public celebration of life and private homegoing services planned in Chicago, formal memorial events will be held from March 1-4 in Washington, D.C. and South Carolina, where Jackson was born and raised. Jackson's adult children have vowed to continue his decades of advocacy, stating 'although his body is absent from us, his spirit suffuses and infuses us, and it charges us to continue with the work.'

  • Rev. Jesse Jackson passed away earlier this week at the age of 84.
  • Memorial services in Chicago are planned for March 6 (public celebration) and March 7 (private homegoing).
  • Additional memorial events will be held from March 1-4 in Washington, D.C. and South Carolina.

The players

Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.

A civil rights leader, two-time presidential candidate, and protégé of Martin Luther King Jr. who passed away this week at the age of 84.

Santita Jackson

Rev. Jesse Jackson's eldest child, who vowed to continue her father's decades of advocacy work.

Rainbow PUSH Coalition

The organization founded by Rev. Jesse Jackson that is coordinating the memorial services.

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What they’re saying

“Although his body is absent from us, his spirit suffuses and infuses us, and it charges us to continue with the work.”

— Santita Jackson, Rev. Jesse Jackson's eldest child (Associated Press)

What’s next

The memorial services in Chicago, Washington D.C., and South Carolina will provide opportunities for the public to honor Rev. Jesse Jackson's life and legacy.

The takeaway

Rev. Jesse Jackson's passing marks the end of an era, but his family and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition are committed to carrying on his decades-long fight for racial justice and equality. The expanded memorial services reflect the national significance of Jackson's life and work as a civil rights leader.