- Civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. is being honored in his home state of South Carolina, lying in state at the Capitol, a stark contrast to his segregated upbringing.
- Jackson's lifelong fight for equality began in 1960 with a sit-in at a whites-only library in Greenville, an act that drew the attention of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
- He tirelessly advocated for the poor and underrepresented, championing voting rights, education, and healthcare through his Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and sought the Democratic presidential nomination twice.
- Jackson remained deeply connected to South Carolina, advocating for the MLK holiday and the removal of the Confederate flag from the Statehouse grounds.
- He passed away on Feb. 17 at 84 after a neurological disorder, with tributes beginning in Chicago and concluding with final homegoing services there.
IN FULL
