Civil Rights Leader Jesse Jackson to Lie in State in South Carolina

Jackson's body will be honored at the South Carolina Statehouse before public services in Chicago.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., a renowned civil rights activist and former presidential candidate, will be honored in his home state of South Carolina next week. Jackson's body will lie in state at the South Carolina Statehouse, and public services will be held in Chicago to celebrate his life and legacy.

Why it matters

Jesse Jackson was a pioneering civil rights leader who fought for racial equality and social justice throughout his long career. His passing marks the end of an era, and honoring him in his home state of South Carolina, where his activism began, is a fitting tribute to his lifelong commitment to the civil rights movement.

The details

Jackson's body will first lie in repose this week at the Chicago headquarters of his Rainbow PUSH Coalition. It will then travel to South Carolina and Washington, D.C. for more celebrations of his life. A public service will be held in Chicago at the 10,000-seat House of Hope church on March 6, followed by private homegoing services the next day at Rainbow PUSH, which will be livestreamed. Jackson was born in 1941 in Greenville, South Carolina, and his civil rights activism began in high school when he led a group of Black students to integrate the whites-only public library in Greenville.

  • Jackson's body will lie in state at the South Carolina Statehouse next Monday.
  • A public service will be held in Chicago at the House of Hope church on March 6.
  • Private homegoing services will be held the next day, March 7, at Rainbow PUSH in Chicago.

The players

Jesse Jackson Sr.

A renowned civil rights activist and former presidential candidate who passed away on February 17, 2026 at the age of 84.

Henry McMaster

The Governor of South Carolina, who announced that Jackson's body will lie in state at the South Carolina Statehouse.

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What they’re saying

“It's been reported that Jesse Jackson craves legitimacy. Is this true?”

— Jesse Jackson (1988 interview)

“Well, they, they may be right. All of us seek, seek affirmation, and we, and we avoid rejection. Uh, it is inconceivable to me that one would, would be president of our country.”

— Jesse Jackson (1988 interview)

What’s next

Details about the public services in South Carolina and Washington, D.C. honoring Jesse Jackson's life and legacy are expected to be released later.

The takeaway

Jesse Jackson's passing marks the end of an era for the civil rights movement, but his lifelong commitment to racial equality and social justice will continue to inspire new generations of activists and leaders.