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COLUMBIA, S.C. (BFMG) — The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a towering figure of the American civil rights movement, is being honored in his home state as he lies in state at the South Carolina Statehouse, drawing mourners from across the country to pay their final respects.
Jackson’s casket was brought into the Capitol earlier today under an honor guard, where it was placed in the rotunda for a public viewing. Family members, clergy, elected officials and citizens lined up to file past, some pausing in silent prayer, others touching the flag-draped casket or leaving small tokens of remembrance.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster greeted members of Jackson’s family and joined them in a brief moment of reflection near the casket. State leaders from both parties have praised Jackson’s decades of activism, calling his return to the Statehouse in death a powerful symbol of how far the state has come since his childhood under Jim Crow.
Born in Greenville, Jackson rose from the segregated South to become one of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s closest allies, a national organizer for civil rights and voting rights, and a two-time presidential candidate who helped expand Black political participation nationwide. His work through organizations such as Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition focused on economic justice, anti-poverty efforts and expanding opportunity for marginalized communities.
At the Statehouse, speakers recalled Jackson’s role in desegregation campaigns, marches and voter registration drives, as well as his influence on generations of younger activists who followed him. Outside, mourners shared stories of hearing him speak at rallies, churches and college campuses, describing him as a moral voice who challenged both government and society to do better.
Flags at state buildings were lowered in his honor, and a steady stream of visitors continued into the evening as the public viewing remained open. Additional memorial services and a funeral are expected to follow, as South Carolina — and the nation — say goodbye to one of the most recognizable voices of the civil rights era.
