Outside the Operation Push headquarters, Chicagoans assembled by the hundreds, the lines blocks long, beginning at 10 am this Thursday morning, all gathered to pay homage to one of their favorite adopted sons, Jesse Louis Jackson, who lie in state inside the building that was his domain for over 50 years.
Dignitaries like Al Sharpton and commoners, old and young, mostly black, a smattering of whites including Chicago's Catholic cardinal made up the growing crowd expected to stream pass Jesse's casket for the rest of the day until 10 pm, the first of several ceremonies at various locations including Washington DC, and South Carolina, his birthplace.
A few states have even ordered their flags to be flown at half mast.
Jesse Jackson leaves behind a noteworthy legacy as a diligent civil rights warrior who twice ran for President, and who in 2008 stood in tears among the huge Chicago crowd gathered to celebrate Barack Obama's election victory.
Jesse had his critics but few could deny his love for his people. He fought the good fight before passing at age 84.
May he rest in power.