Clergy of many faiths, labor leaders, elected officials and community members gathered in Oakland on Friday to honor the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, a civil rights giant whose fight for justice touched communities from coast to coast.
Jackson died on Feb. 17. He was 84.
“Rev. Jackson’s spirit will not die, cannot die, shall not die when the legacy continues,” True Vine Ministries Pastor Zachary Carey said.
Oakland is honoring Jackson with a proclamation declaring March 7 as Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. Day.
“Rev. Jackson’s connections to Oakland run deep,” said Rev. Damita Davis, director of public safety in Oakland. “He stood with this community in moments of challenges and in moments of progress”
Jackson visited Oakland many times over the decades, preaching in local churches, organizing with labor, and building the Rainbow Coalition, advocating for racial, economic, and social justice.
NBC Bay Area’s Velena Jones has more in the video report above.