A procession moved through downtown Columbia (on March 2, 2026) as supporters lined the streets to pay their respects to the Rev. Jesse Jackson, honoring his legacy as a civil rights leader with deep South Carolina roots.

Before becoming a national figure, Jackson was a young activist from Greenville. In the 1960s, he was among the “Greenville Eight,” a group that staged a sit-in at a whites-only public library to protest segregation.

Dorris Wright, a childhood friend and fellow member of the Greenville Eight, described Jackson as “energetic, smart, and deliberate.”

Wright said the ceremony is not only about honoring Jackson’s legacy, but also about inspiring future generations.

“Something that children can look at and say, ‘I too can do that,’” she said.

The procession ended at the South Carolina State House, where a private ceremony was held in his honor.

While many gathered in reflection, some attendees said the day was not defined by sadness, but by gratitude.

“This day isn’t somber because of what he did for our country,” said Charlie Stephenson.

To close out the day, many gathered at Brooklyn Baptist Church for a public funeral service.