An American flag rested atop the casket of the Rev. Jesse Jackson as mourners lined up at the South Carolina State House to pay their respects.

People gathered throughout the day to honor Jackson; the longtime civil rights leader whose work left a lasting impact on generations of Americans.

“An icon has left us,” said Larry F. Brown, who waited in line to view the casket.

For many, Jackson was more than a public figure.

“He was a leader, a guide, someone to be there for young individuals like myself,” Brown said.

Dorothy Collins said she felt compelled to attend.

“He’s such an honorable person. I couldn’t pass up this day,” Collins said.

Dorris Wright described Jackson as both a classmate and a friend.

“I think it’s also a bodacious legacy,” Wright said.

Mourners stood quietly, some reflecting on Jackson’s decades of activism and leadership in the civil rights movement. Supporters said his influence extended far beyond Columbia and would continue to resonate across the country.

Jackson’s legacy will be remembered not only in South Carolina, but throughout the United States.