Live updates: The Rev. Jesse Jackson’s funeral service | CNN Politics

Leaders across politics, faith and culture gathered in Chicago to honor the life and legacy of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, stirring speeches with passionate musical tributes. Three living former presidents took the stage to pay tribute to Jackson, a striking testament to the extraordinary political influence and moral force he wielded across generations of American leadership. • Barack Obama urges Americans to carry Jackson’s legacy forward: Former President Barack Obama traced Jackson’s life from his youth in Greenville, South Carolina, to his national influence. Jackson understood early, Obama said, that “individual success meant nothing unless everybody was free.” Obama credited Jackson’s presidential campaign with reshaping how Democrats select their nominee and opening the door for future candidates. He also delivered a pointed warning about the political moment: “If we don’t step up, no one else will,” urging Americans not to “put your head down and wait for the storm to pass.” • Kamala Harris recalls Jackson’s barrier-breaking campaign: Former Vice President Kamala Harris drew laughter and applause as she held up two campaign buttons from Jackson’s pr

Mar 6, 2026 → Mar 9, 2026