Jesse Jackson funeral latest: Mourners gather for civil rights giant’s memorial – with Obama expected to speak

Memorial events for Jesse Jackson began in Chicago last week, drawing elected officials, advocates and community members.

His body also lay in state in South Carolina, where he was born.

Today’s celebration of his life, however, is expected to be the biggest, held at an influential black church with a 10,000-seat arena.

And his family has been keen to insist – everyone is welcome.

“These homegoing services are welcome to all,” his son Jesse Jackson Jr said.

“Democrat, Republican, liberal, conservative, right wing, left wing because his life is broad enough to cover the full spectrum of what it means to be an American.”

“Dad would have wanted us to have a great meeting to discuss our differences,” he added, to “find ways of moving forward and moving together”.