Obama’s not-so-subtle gesture to 2028 hopeful sparks buzz at star-studded funeral for Democratic hero Jesse Jackson

Barack Obama caused a stir at the star-studded funeral in Chicago of Democratic hero the Rev. Jesse Jackson on Friday when he turned and pointed at Gavin Newsom.

Standing between Bill Clinton and Joe Biden, the former president locked eyes with the California governor in a moment that set tongues wagging.

The Democratic power brokers packed into the House of Hope church in Chicago needed little encouragement to speculate about Newsom’s 2028 goals.

A few rows to Obama’s right sat 2028 hopeful Kamala Harris, who recently flirted with another candidate for the White House.

The eventual nominee will be hoping for a heavy boost from Obama, whose reluctance to back Harris until the eleventh hour proved prescient in her defeat against Donald Trump.

Obama, who attended without his wife Michelle, was seen sharing laughter in the front row with former presidents Biden and Clinton, their wives Jill and former secretary of state Hillary.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Jackson, remembered as a ‘living bridge’ between the period and modern civil rights movements, died on February 17 at the age of 84 after struggling with a rare neurological disorder.

The public program of President Donald Trump, who praised Jackson on social media and shared photos of the two together after Jackson’s death, was confirmed.

The eventual nominee will be hoping to win heavy support from the likes of Obama, whose reluctance to back Harris until the eleventh hour proved prescient in her defeat against Donald Trump.

Former presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, as well as former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham and former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden meets civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. at the House of Hope arena on March 6. participated in the celebration of lifetime service for

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker attends a memorial service celebrating the life of civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson in Chicago, Illinois, USA, March 6

Tyler Perry attended the Public Homecoming Service for the Rev. Jesse Jackson at the House of Hope in Chicago on Friday

Cornel West attended a memorial service to celebrate the life of civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson in Chicago, Illinois, USA on March 6

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich attends the life service celebration of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. at the House of Hope arena on March 6

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks during the Public Homecoming Service for the Rev. Jesse Jackson at the House of Hope in Chicago on Friday

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker speaks during a memorial service celebrating the life of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson in Chicago, Illinois, United States, March 6

Long lines of attendees waited outside the church on the city’s South Side as television screens played excerpts of Jackson’s most famous speeches.

When Clinton and Biden arrived, they were greeted with cheers and applause, but that The announcer, who received the loudest applause as he entered the hall, described him as “President Barack Obama, the owner of the South Side.”

Inside, vendors sold badges bearing his 1984 presidential slogan and hoodies bearing his ‘I Am Someone’ mantra, while a choir sang as attendees took photos of a large panel emblazoned with his ‘Keep hope alive’ slogan.

As mourners continued to arrive, a pre-recorded video speech by Senator Bernie Sanders played on auditorium screens.

Sanders praised Jackson’s dual presidential bid as an “unprecedented” effort to bridge the divides of race and class.

The Vermont progressive, who twice made unsuccessful bids for the Democratic presidential nomination, praised Jackson for inspiring “enthusiasm” across racial and age divides.

Notable attendees included a number of Illinois elected leaders, as well as actor and producer Tyler Perry and political activist and theologian Cornel West.

Marketing specialist Chelsia Bryan said she came because it was ‘a chance to be part of something historic’.

Guests including former presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden attended a celebration of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.’s life service at the House of Hope arena.

People attend a memorial service for late civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson in Chicago

Former presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, as well as former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham and former First Lady Dr. Guests including Jill Biden attended a celebration of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.’s life service.

“As a Black woman, knowing that someone almost gave their life, knowing that they gave their life so that I could do the things that I can do right now, she’s worth honoring,” Bryan said.

Jesse Jackson Jr. said everyone is welcome to celebrate his father’s life.

Jackson Jr. ‘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,’ he said last month. ‘My father would want us to have a great meeting to discuss our differences and find ways to move forward and act together.’

Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2017 and spent his final months battling progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurological disorder that robbed him of his mobility and ability to speak.

Family members said he continued to come into the office until last year and communicated with hand signals. His last public appearances included the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Sitting among the crowd was 90-year-old Mary Lovett. She said Jackson’s advocacy has inspired her many times since she moved from Mississippi to Chicago in the 1960s, taught elementary school and became a mother.

She voted for Jackson twice, during both presidential races, and always appreciated how he spoke on behalf of underrepresented people.

‘He is gone, but I hope his legacy lives on,’ he said. ‘I hope we can remember what he was trying to teach us.’

Jackson’s numerous pursuits took him to every corner of the world: advocating for the poor and underrepresented on issues such as voting rights, health care, job opportunities and education.

He scored diplomatic victories with world leaders and pressured executives to make America a more open and equitable society by channeling cries for Black pride and self-determination into corporate boardrooms through the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

His son, Yusef Jackson, who leads the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, recalled his father carrying a battered Bible but also showing his faith by joining pickets.

“He lived a revolutionary Christian faith based on justice, non-violence and moral righteousness,” Yusef Jackson said in a statement Friday.

‘He was deeply involved in the political struggles of his time, but his talent was in being able to overcome them. This is not about left wing or right wing. It takes two wings to fly. For him the goal was always the moral centre.’

Jackson’s service in Chicago and South Carolina drew civic leaders, school groups and ordinary people who said they were impressed by Jackson’s work, from scholarship programs to prisoners’ advocacy. Many states lowered their flags to half-staff in his honor.

Services in Washington, D.C., were tabled after a request to allow Jackson to lie in honor at the United States Capitol was rejected by House Speaker Mike Johnson, who said the area was generally reserved for elected officials, including former presidents. Details regarding a future event have not been made public.

Jackson was a close associate of MLK in the 1960s and remained a leading voice of African Americans on the national stage for more than six decades.

He participated in his first sit-in in Greenville in 1960 and then came to King’s attention in 1965 by participating in the civil rights marches from Selma to Montgomery.

Jackson, a Baptist minister, later emerged as a mediator and ambassador on many important international fronts.

He became a leading advocate for ending apartheid in South Africa and served as presidential special envoy for Africa on behalf of Bill Clinton in the 1990s.

Missions to free U.S. prisoners took him to Syria, Iraq and Serbia.

In 1996, he founded the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, a Chicago-based nonprofit organization focused on social justice and political activism.

He is survived by his wife and six children.