Chicago’s ‘The People’s Celebration’ for the Rev. Jesse Jackson begins
March 6 (UPI) — The public funeral for the Rev. Jesse Jackson began Friday morning, with state, religious and local dignitaries attending.
Former presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden are scheduled to attend along with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and First Lady Jill Biden. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Ill., and Chicago Cubs owner Tim Ricketts are also scheduled to attend.
Musical guests scheduled are pop singer and actor Jennifer Hudson, and gospel singers Bebe Winans and Pastor Marvin Winans.
The event, called “The People’s Celebration,” is at House of Hope, a south side venue that can hold 10,000 people.
By 8 a.m. CT Friday, thousands were waiting outside the House of Hope to pay respects to Jackson, USA Today reported.
“This is an occasion for all of us – not only the African American community, but the rest of the world, to celebrate the accomplishments of a great man,” Eric Williams, a Chicago resident and member of the House of Hope church, told USA Today. “He will be greatly missed.”
Jackson died Feb. 16 at 84 of complications from progressive supranuclear palsy.
The civil rights activist lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda in Columbia, S.C., the state where he was born, and there were public and private services held in his honor there.
A service planned for Washington, D.C., has been postponed.
“The Jackson Family looks forward to honoring Rev. Jackson’s work and life in Washington, a city that held rich friendships and deep meaning for the Reverend,” Jackson’s family said in a press release.
Neil Sedaka
American singer/pianist Neil Sedaka performs at the “BBC Proms In The Park” in Hyde Park in London on September 11, 2010. Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo