Rev. Jesse Jackson Returns Home to South Carolina to Lie in State

Civil rights leader honored with final public farewell in his home state

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. is returning to South Carolina for a final public farewell, as his body will lie in state at the South Carolina capitol on Monday. Jackson, a longtime civil rights activist who fought for equality, voting rights, and opportunities for the poor and underrepresented, died on February 17 at the age of 84 after battling a rare neurological disorder. The South Carolina services are part of two weeks of events honoring Jackson's legacy, which will also include a celebration of life gathering in Chicago and a postponed service in Washington, D.C.

Why it matters

Jackson's return to his home state of South Carolina to lie in state is a significant honor, as he is only the second Black man to receive this tribute at the state capitol. His lifelong advocacy for civil rights and social justice made him a towering figure in the movement, and his passing marks the end of an era for the civil rights generation.

The details

Jackson led a historic 1960 sit-in at a segregated library in Greenville, South Carolina, which launched his civil rights career. He went on to work closely with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., joining the voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery. Jackson later ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988, and continued to be active in his home state, pushing for honoring Martin Luther King Jr. with a holiday and advocating for the removal of the Confederate flag from the South Carolina Statehouse grounds.

  • Jackson's body will lie in state at the South Carolina capitol on Monday, March 3, 2026.
  • Jackson died on February 17, 2026 at the age of 84.

The players

Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.

A longtime civil rights activist who fought for equality, voting rights, and opportunities for the poor and underrepresented. He was a close ally of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988.

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

A prominent leader in the African-American civil rights movement from the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968. Jackson joined King's voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery.

Clementa Pinckney

A South Carolina state senator who was shot and killed in the 2015 Charleston church shooting. He was the first Black man to lie in state at the South Carolina capitol.

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What they’re saying

“After a long career of fighting for civil rights, the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. is visiting his home for one last time to lie in state at the South Carolina capitol on Monday.”

— JEFFREY COLLINS, Associated Press Writer (Associated Press)

What’s next

After the South Carolina services, Jackson's body will be returned to Chicago for a large celebration of life gathering at a megachurch and the final homegoing services at the headquarters of Rainbow PUSH. Plans for a service in Washington, D.C., to honor him have been postponed until a later date.

The takeaway

Rev. Jesse Jackson's return to his home state of South Carolina to lie in state is a powerful symbol of his lifelong commitment to the civil rights movement and his enduring legacy as a champion for equality, justice, and opportunity for all. His passing marks the end of an era, but his work and impact will continue to inspire new generations of activists and leaders.