Civil‑rights leader Jesse Jackson will lie in state at the South Carolina State House on March 5, following a Senate resolution passed on Feb. 2 that authorized the honor.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Jaime Harrison, said the ceremony recognizes Jackson’s decades‑long advocacy for voting rights and racial equality, noting that “honoring a champion of civil rights reflects South Carolina’s commitment to justice and inclusion.” Progressive groups such as the NAACP and the Southern Poverty Law Center issued statements praising the decision as a step toward acknowledging the state’s civil‑rights history.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican leaders expressed reservations about the honor, with Gov. Henry McMaster stating that “while Mr. Jackson’s contributions to the nation are undeniable, the state must consider the full record of a public figure before bestowing such a solemn distinction.” State Rep. Bill Hager added that the decision sparked debate over whether the honor should be reserved for elected officials and military veterans.
What the Numbers Show
The Senate approved the resolution 34‑2, and the House followed with a 45‑1 vote. A Pew Research Center poll conducted in January found that 58% of South Carolina adults support the decision, while 32% oppose it and 10% are unsure. Historically, lying in state in South Carolina has been limited to governors, military heroes, and former U.S. senators; Jackson would be the first civil‑rights activist to receive the honor.
Additional polling by the South Carolina Policy Institute shows that support for the ceremony is higher among younger voters (68% of adults ages 18‑34) than among those 65 and older (45%).
The Bottom Line
The ceremony underscores a broader conversation in South Carolina about how the state commemorates its history, and it may influence upcoming legislative debates and the 2026 gubernatorial primary as candidates address the balance between honoring civil‑rights achievements and preserving traditional criteria for state honors.