Remembering Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.: Private Memorial Service at Rainbow PUSH Coalition Headquarters
A day after a televised celebration for the late Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., a private memorial service will be held at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s headquarters in Chicago. The service is expected to be attended by a few hundred family members, allies, and confidants, serving as a capstone to a week of services held across the country. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for the morning service.
Since his passing last month, Jackson's family and allies have honored him with various commemorations, community service, and demonstrations to continue his work. Public visitations were held at the Rainbow PUSH headquarters, followed by a service at the South Carolina Capitol, where Jackson grew up. Services in Washington, D.C., were postponed after a request for him to lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol was denied.
Mentees of Jackson have organized events focusing on voting rights, economic inequality, and political organizing to honor his legacy. A forum was hosted by Rainbow PUSH for community organizers and clergy mentored by Jackson to discuss his impact on their careers. Events at the headquarters celebrated Jackson's life, including gatherings of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity members and a reunion for Rainbow PUSH alumni.
The headquarters also welcomed progressive activists from Minnesota, representing civil, labor, and immigrants' rights groups. The activists were invited by the Jackson family to learn about Jackson's strategies and find resources for their organizations. This gathering was a prelude to a private service for Jackson's family and a commemoration in Selma, Alabama, to honor the "Bloody Sunday" protest marches.
In conclusion, the private memorial service at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s headquarters will be a moment for family, allies, and confidants to grieve the loss of Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. after a week of services held across the country. Jackson's legacy continues to inspire activism and community engagement among his mentees and supporters, who are committed to carrying on his work for civil rights and social justice.