Chicagoans mourn Rev. Jesse Jackson: ‘He had enough heart to challenge wrong’

People around the world, from global leaders to Chicago locals, are mourning the death of civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson. Jackson died at age 84 on Tuesday, his family said in a statement, after struggling with progressive supranuclear palsy.

Here’s what Chicagoans are saying the wake of Jackson’s death.

Gregory Sain: Jackson was a hero to many

“His tentacles reached out real far,” Gregory Sain, a community supporter said of Jackson’s impact. “Even though he’s been struggling with health issues, Jackson was absolutely someone that will be remembered as ‘that’ individual that helped Black folks get respect – to some degree – with the Democratic Party and politics period.”

“He was courageous, and he had enough heart to challenge wrong,” Sain added. “We have to continue to motivate, inspire and raise up other individuals. Rev. Jackson will be a hero to many people.”

Martin Travis: His legacy will live on

“[Jackson] has been instrumental in fighting for justice and freedom for all people,” said Martin Travis, a congregant at Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn.

Travis, 64, said both of his parents were involved in the civil rights movement and he began picketing alongside his father at just 7 years old, advocating for Black workers.

His father, Lawrence Travis, brought him to demonstrations organized by Operation Breadbasket, a group Jackson led that aimed to improve economic conditions for African Americans by pressuring companies to hire and promote Black employees.

In July 1968, Travis and his father were picketing outside of an A&P grocery store at 91st Street and Cottage Grove. A young Travis held up a sign that read “Don’t buy at A&P” and said he remembers it being hot outside, but understood that “if my father took time out to do this, it was important.”