Civil Rights Icon Rev. Jesse Jackson Lies in State in South Carolina

Jackson advocated for the poor and underrepresented throughout his long career fighting for voting rights, job opportunities, education, and health care.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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After a long career of fighting for civil rights, the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. is visiting his home state of South Carolina for one last time to lie in state at the South Carolina Capitol on Monday. Jackson, who died in February at age 84 after battling a rare neurological disorder, is just the second Black man to receive this honor in the state.

Why it matters

Jackson was a towering figure in the Civil Rights Movement, carrying on the legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. after his assassination. He advocated tirelessly for the poor and underrepresented, pushing for greater equality and justice in areas like voting rights, jobs, education, and healthcare. His return to South Carolina to lie in state is a major moment of recognition for his lifelong work.

The details

Jackson's journey to the South Carolina Capitol is a far cry from his childhood in segregated Greenville, where in 1960 he couldn't go inside the local library's whites-only branch to check out a book. That incident launched Jackson's civil rights career - he led seven Black high school students into the segregated branch, where they sat down and read books until they were arrested. The branches closed, then quietly reopened for all. Jackson would go on to catch the attention of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and join the voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery.

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

The players

Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.

A towering figure in the Civil Rights Movement who advocated for the poor and underrepresented, fighting for voting rights, job opportunities, education, and health care throughout his long career.

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

The legendary civil rights leader who Jackson joined on the voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.

Clementa Pinckney

A South Carolina state senator who was the second Black man to lie in state at the South Carolina Capitol after being shot and killed in the 2015 Charleston church shooting.

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The takeaway

Rev. Jesse Jackson's return to South Carolina to lie in state is a powerful symbol of his lifelong dedication to the civil rights cause and his impact as a torchbearer for the movement after the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. His legacy of advocacy for the poor and underrepresented will continue to inspire new generations of activists and leaders.