Faith leaders honor Rev. Jesse Jackson at 1st Rainbow PUSH Coalition forum since his death

CHICAGO (WLS) — Faith leaders are paying tribute to the late Rev. Jesse Jackson at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition‘s first Saturday morning forum since his passing.

Jackson died on Tuesday at the age of 84 after a lengthy battle with progressive supranuclear palsy, or PSP, a condition similar to Parkinson’s disease.

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The civil rights leader, who founded the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, was known for his decades of work involving social justice and international affairs.

During Saturday’s forum, blankets will be blessed at Rainbow PUSH headquarters and then delivered to shelters and community centers.

The blankets symbolize a commitment to service, compassion, and care for vulnerable communities, something that Jackson lived by.

Celebration of life services will take place in Chicago, South Carolina, and Washington D.C.

House Speaker Mike Johnson denied a request to allow Jackson to lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol.

The Jackson family has thanked the public for the continued outpouring of support.

This comes as a memorial continues to grow outside of Rainbow PUSH headquarters in Kenwood.