Chicagoans pay respects to Jesse Jackson as cross-country memorial companies start : NPR

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Nam Y. Huh/AP CHICAGO — A line of mourners streamed by way of a Chicago auditorium Thursday to pay ultimate respects to the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. as cross-country memorial companies started within the metropolis the late civil rights chief known as residence.

The protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and two-time presidential candidate will lie in repose for 2 days on the headquarters of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition earlier than occasions in Washington, D.C., and South Carolina, the place he was born.

Members of the family wiped away tears because the casket was introduced into the stately brick constructing. Flowers lined the sidewalks the place folks ready to enter watched a big display enjoying video excerpts of Jackson's notable speeches. Some raised their fists in solidarity.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5040x3360+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbb%2F0c%2F33f95d1b4543aeb51799b3b9b9e4%2Fap26057535928953.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5040x3360+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbb%2F0c%2F33f95d1b4543aeb51799b3b9b9e4%2Fap26057535928953.jpg" class="img" alt="The casket with the Rev. Jesse Jackson arrives before a public visitation at Rainbow/PUSH Coalition in Chicago on Thursday." loading="lazy"/> The casket with the Rev. Jesse Jackson arrives earlier than a public visitation at Rainbow/PUSH Coalition in Chicago on Thursday. Nam Y. Huh/AP conceal caption

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Nam Y. Huh/AP Inside, Jackson's youngsters, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Rev. Al Sharpton have been amongst those that stood by the open casket to shake fingers and hug these coming to view the physique of Jackson, wearing a swimsuit and blue shirt and tie.

"The problem for us is that we have got to be sure that all he lived for was not in useless," Sharpton informed reporters. "Dr. King's dream and Jesse Jackson's mission now falls on our shoulders. We have got to face up and hold it going."

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5622x3748+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F66%2F81%2F571bf0f0476f81f041793a4f1d6e%2Fap26057683398132.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5622x3748+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F66%2F81%2F571bf0f0476f81f041793a4f1d6e%2Fap26057683398132.jpg" class="img" alt="The Rev. Al Sharpton speaks as Jesse Jackson Jr. listens after the public visitation for the Rev. Jesse Jackson at Rainbow/PUSH Coalition in Chicago on Thursday." loading="lazy"/> The Rev. Al Sharpton speaks as Jesse Jackson Jr. listens after the general public visitation for the Rev. Jesse Jackson at Rainbow/PUSH Coalition in Chicago on Thursday. Nam Y. Huh/AP conceal caption

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Nam Y. Huh/AP Jackson died final week at age 84 after battling a uncommon neurological dysfunction that affected his mobility and talent to talk in his later years.

Remembrances have already poured in from across the globe, and a number of other U.S. states, together with Minnesota, Iowa and North Carolina, are flying flags at half-staff in his honor.

However maybe nowhere has his dying been felt as strongly as within the nation's third-largest metropolis, the place Jackson lived for many years and raised his six youngsters, together with a son who's a congressman.

Bouquets have been left exterior the household's Tudor-style residence on the town's South Facet for days. Public colleges have supplied condolences, and metropolis trains have used digital screens to show Jackson's portrait and his well-known mantra, "I'm Someone!"

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc9%2F0a%2F50920b264400844aa3608c11933b%2Fap26057678275205.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc9%2F0a%2F50920b264400844aa3608c11933b%2Fap26057678275205.jpg" class="img" alt="People wait to enter the security checkpoint for the public visitation for the Rev. Jesse Jackson at Rainbow/PUSH Coalition in Chicago on Thursday." loading="lazy"/> Folks wait to enter the safety checkpoint for the general public visitation for the Rev. Jesse Jackson at Rainbow/PUSH Coalition in Chicago on Thursday. Nam Y. Huh/AP conceal caption

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Nam Y. Huh/AP His causes, each in america and overseas, have been numerous: Advocating for the poor and underrepresented on points together with voting rights, job alternatives, training and well being care. He scored diplomatic victories with world leaders, and thru his Rainbow PUSH Coalition, he channeled cries for Black pleasure and self-determination into company boardrooms, pressuring executives to make America a extra open and equitable society.

"We honor him, and his hard-earned legacy as a freedom fighter, thinker, and trustworthy shepherd of his household and neighborhood right here in Chicago," the mayor stated in a press release.

Subsequent week, Jackson will lie in honor on the South Carolina Statehouse, adopted by public companies. In keeping with Rainbow PUSH's agenda, Gov. Henry McMaster is anticipated to ship remarks; nonetheless, the governor's workplace stated Thursday that his participation wasn't but confirmed. Jackson spent his childhood and began his activism in South Carolina.

Particulars on companies in Washington haven't but been made public. Nonetheless, he is not going to lie in honor at america Capitol rotunda after a request for the commemoration was denied by the Home Speaker Mike Johnson's workplace.

The 2 weeks of occasions will wrap up subsequent week with a big celebration of life gathering at a Chicago megachurch and eventually, homegoing companies on the headquarters of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

Members of the family stated the companies will likely be open to all.

"Our household is overwhelmed and overjoyed by the superb quantity of help being supplied by frequent, strange individuals who our father's life has come into contact with," his eldest son, Jesse Jackson Jr., stated earlier than the companies started. "This can be a distinctive alternative to put down a few of the political rhetoric and to put down a few of the division that deeply divides our nation and to mirror upon a person who introduced folks collectively."

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5231x3487+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F76%2Fde%2F0f7e67e441ff9b6a761be2b600f4%2Fap26057521608109.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5231x3487+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F76%2Fde%2F0f7e67e441ff9b6a761be2b600f4%2Fap26057521608109.jpg" class="img" alt="The family of the Rev. Jesse Jackson arrives as Yusep Jackson wipes his eyes before public visitation at Rainbow/PUSH Coalition in Chicago on Thursday." loading="lazy"/> The household of the Rev. Jesse Jackson arrives as Yusep Jackson wipes his eyes earlier than public visitation at Rainbow/PUSH Coalition in Chicago on Thursday. Nam Y. Huh/AP conceal caption

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Nam Y. Huh/AP The companies included prayers from a few of the metropolis's most well-known non secular leaders, together with Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich. Mourners of all ages — from toddlers in strollers to aged folks in wheelchairs — got here to pay respects.

Video clips of his appearances at information conferences, the marketing campaign path and even "Sesame Avenue" additionally performed contained in the auditorium.

Claudette Redic, a retiree who lives in Chicago, stated her household has revered Jackson, from backing his presidential ambitions to her son getting a scholarship from a program Jackson championed.