CHICAGO: The US is facing daily assaults on democracy, former President Barack Obama warned on Friday as he lauded Jesse Jackson for fighting abuses of power at a memorial service for the longtime civil rights activist.

Obama joined former presidents Joe Biden and Bill Clinton, along with former Vice President Kamala Harris, at the public event in Chicago for Jackson, who died last month at the age of 84.

President Donald Trump did not attend because of his schedule, a White House official said. “Each day, we wake up to some new assault on our democratic institutions, another setback to the idea of the rule of law, an offense to common decency,” Obama said.

Obama, other Democratic dignitaries and religious leaders urged hundreds of attendees to honor Jackson, an advocate for voting rights and desegregation, by continuing his fight for equality and justice. “Each day, we’re told by those in high office to fear each other and to turn on each other and that some Americans count more than others and that some don’t even count at all,” Obama said to applause.

“We see science and expertise denigrated while ignorance and dishonesty and cruelty and corruption are reaping untold rewards.” The White House criticised Obama when asked for a comment on his remarks.

“He is a total disgrace for all the hurt he has caused this country and history will not judge him well,” White House spokesman Steven Cheung said.

The memorial at the House of Hope, a 10,000-seat venue on Chicago’s South Side, celebrated Jackson with a choir performing gospel songs while attendees stood, clapped and sang along. Some attendees arrived hours before the service and waited outside in a line that wrapped around the arena.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2026