Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags to Honor Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.

February 25, 2026 

Contact: press@michigan.gov  

Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags to Honor Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags across the state to be lowered to half-staff on Thursday, February 26, and Friday, February 27, to honor the life of the Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr.  

“We mourn the loss of Reverend Jesse Jackson, a fierce advocate for justice, equality, and prosperity for all. He dedicated decades of his life to advancing civil rights and economic opportunity for the working class in the United States and around the world.” said Governor Whitmer. “Rev. Jackson had a special connection to Michigan and especially the city of Detroit. He visited often, standing with labor, working with local leaders, and inspiring the next generation of changemakers. I was honored to meet and partner with him on our shared goals of investing in working people and ensuring every Michigander is treated with dignity and respect. As we heed Rev. Jackson’s tireless call to ‘Keep hope alive,’ let’s also continue to do the hard work of building a freer, fairer Michigan for all.” 

Veteran civil rights activist Jesse Jackson Sr. was born in Greenville, South Carolina, where he attended Sterling High School. Jackson attended the University of Illinois for a year before transferring to the Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina where he studied sociology and met his future wife, Jacqueline. After graduating college, Jackson moved to Chicago where he studied at the Chicago Theological Seminary and became a Baptist minister in 1968. 

Jesse Jackson Sr. began his work as an organizer with the Congress of Racial Equality, participating in marches and sit-ins. After participating in the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery march, Jackson joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to work alongside Martin Luther King Jr. After King’s death, Jackson founded People United to Save Humanity in 1971, working to improve economic conditions of Black communities. Jackson’s activism spanned decades and included two runs for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988. 

The State of Michigan recognizes the duty, honor, and selfless service of Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments, and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff. 

To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.  

The flag lowering will coincide with the day of the funeral. Flags should be returned to full staff after sunset on Friday, February 27, 2026.  

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