COLUMBIA, S.C. – The body of the late Rev. Jesse Jackson will lie in state at the South Carolina State House next week, state officials announced Monday. The honor follows the passing of the Greenville native and iconic civil rights leader on Feb. 17 at the age of 84.
Jackson, a towering figure in American social and political history, died after a long battle with a rare neurological disorder that had impacted his mobility and speech in his later years.
In recognition of Jackson’s life and contributions to the state and nation, Governor Henry McMaster has directed that flags atop the State House be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on March 2. The Department of Administration is currently working alongside the Jackson family to coordinate the public viewing and memorial arrangements.
Born in Greenville in 1941, Jackson rose to prominence as a protégé of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and became a pivotal voice in the Civil Rights Movement. He later founded the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and made historic runs for the presidency in 1984 and 1988, breaking barriers for Black political representation in the United States.
The opportunity for Jackson to lie in state at the Capitol is a rare distinction reserved for the state’s most prominent citizens and public servants. Details regarding public access and timing for the March 2 memorial are expected to be released in the coming days.
Sign up for our Sunday Spectator. Delivered to your inbox every Sunday, with all the news from the week.
