US presidents gather to honour Jesse Jackson at memorial service

March 6, 2026

A memorial service was held in Chicago to honor Reverend Jesse Jackson, a prominent civil rights leader who passed away last month. The service drew a distinguished crowd including three former US presidents—Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton—along with former Vice President Kamala Harris and various celebrities. Speakers praised Jackson's legacy as a civil rights activist who worked with Martin Luther King Jr.

Who is affected

Reverend Jesse Jackson (deceased)
Former Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton
Former Vice President Kamala Harris
Filmmaker Tyler Perry
Former basketball star Isiah Thomas
Singer and actress Jennifer Hudson
Reverend Al Sharpton
Members of the Rainbow PUSH coalition
Thousands of members of the public who attended
Civil rights movement participants and supporters

What action is being taken

Former presidents, celebrities, and thousands of public members are gathering at a memorial service in Chicago
Speakers are delivering remarks honoring Jackson
Performances are being held, including by Jennifer Hudson

Why it matters

Reverend Jesse Jackson was a transformative figure in American civil rights history who worked directly with Martin Luther King Jr. and continued advancing social justice throughout his life. His founding of the Rainbow PUSH coalition and two presidential campaigns broke barriers and inspired generations of activists. The high-level attendance at his memorial—including three former presidents—demonstrates his profound impact on American politics and civil rights. His legacy of persistence in fighting for democratic institutions and equality remains particularly relevant as speakers connected his work to contemporary challenges facing American democracy.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC