Former US President Barack Obama has used his eulogy of the late Rev Jesse Jackson to call on Americans to follow his example in confronting what he referred to as the current assault on the country’s democracy by those in power.
Speaking at Chicago’s House of Hope memorial service for the late civil rights leader, Obama pointed to a country waking up each day to a new assault on democratic institutions and the rule of law while accusing those in power of seeking to turn people against each other.
The 44th President of the United States told his audience that it was Rev. Jackson who inspired them to hang on to hope.
“His voice calls on each of us to be heralds of change, to be messengers of hope, to step forward and say, ‘send me wherever we have a chance to make an impact, whether it’s in our schools or our workplaces or our neighbourhoods or our cities’. Not for fame, not for glory, or because success is guaranteed, but because it gives our life purpose. Because it aligns with what our faith tells us God demands. Because if we don’t step up, no one else will. How fortunate we were that Jesse Jackson answered that call. What a great debt we owe to him,” says Obama.
A private funeral service for civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson is underway at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters in Chicago in the US.
The private event follows a massive, high-profile public Homegoing Celebration of Life, held on Friday, at the House of Hope.
It was attended by thousands, including former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Joe Biden.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is among the dignitaries who are attending the private funeral service.
The speakers shared their memories of the late humanitarian.
HAPPENING NOW | The funeral service for the late Rev Jesse Jackson is under way in Chicago, with President Cyril Ramaphosa among the dignitaries to deliver a tribute at the private funeral of the civil rights leader. pic.twitter.com/qNP377Qkqs
— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 7, 2026
www.sabcnews.com, https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/obama-calls-on-americans-to-emulate-rev-jesse-jackson/
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