Georgia Congressman and Civil Rights Activist John Lewis Passes at 80
John Lewis was born as the son of sharecroppers who would go on to endure some of the biggest challenges as he fought to bring with countless others to bring change to a racist system of government.
He survived a brutal beating by police during a landmark 1965 march in Selma, Alabama, to become a towering figure of the civil rights movement and a longtime US congressman, has died after a six-month battle with cancer. He was 80.
Lewis had vowed to fight the disease after announcing in late December 2019 that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, which was discovered as a result of a routine medical visit and subsequent testing.
Lewis, a Democrat who served as the US representative for Georgia's 5th Congressional District for more than three decades, was widely seen as a moral conscience of Congress because of his decades-long embodiment of nonviolent fight for civil rights. His passionate oratory was backed by a long record of action that included, by his count, more than 40 arrests while demonstrating against racial and social injustice.
A follower and colleague of Martin Luther King Jr., he participated in lunch counter sit-ins, joined the Freedom Riders in challenging segregated buses and -- at the age of 23 -- was a keynote speaker at the historic 1963 March on Washington.
Lewis has said King inspired his activism. Angered by the unfairness of the Jim Crow South, he launched what he called "good trouble" with organized protests and sit-ins. In the early 1960s, he was a Freedom Rider, challenging segregation at interstate bus terminals across the South and in the nation's capital.
At age 25, Lewis helped lead a march for voting rights on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, where he and other marchers were met by heavily armed state and local police who attacked them with clubs, fracturing Lewis' skull. Images from that "Bloody Sunday" shocked the nation and galvanized support for the Voting Rights Act of 1965, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds across the state of Michigan to be lowered to half-staff on Saturday, July 18, 2020, to honor the life and service of Congressman John Lewis.
The State of Michigan recognizes the duty, honor and selfless service of Congressman John Lewis by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.
"Congressman John Lewis was a civil rights legend who stood firmly on the front lines of our nations history," said Governor Whitmer. Congressman Lewis dedicated his life to building a more just, equitable nation for Black Americans everywhere, and his unwavering commitment to public service has set an example for leaders across the country. His work with leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King transformed our nation. John Lewis was an icon, and I know that people everywhere will feel the impact of his passing. May we honor his legacy by continuing the work to fix the systemic racism Black Americans face every day and build a country where everyone, no matter the color of their skin, can find opportunity. My heart goes out to the congressmans family and loved ones during this time."
Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist commented, "America lost one of its greatest warriors in the fight for civil rights at a time when his leadership was needed the most, said "As our congressional and collective consciousness for two generations, John Lewis paved the way for so many people to make history by laying the foundation upon which I and so many others stand. This loss hits deep in the soul of every American, but we find solace in knowing that he inspired a legion of champions for change to carry forward this mission of justice, so that the next generation can be, believe, and become their greatest selves. We must recommit to righting the wrongs that John Lewis fought today and every day. To the man who caused good trouble: rest in power."
Stacie Clayton, Chair of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, has issued the following statement on behalf of the Commission and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights on the passing of John Lewis.
"The loss of civil rights icons Congressman John Lewis and C. T. Vivian on the same day is almost more than a heartbroken nation can bear. But the lesson of these men's lives is that no matter what obstacles we face, we must never stop striving to build a better tomorrow. Both men dedicated their lives to the cause of civil rights, working side-by-side with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to secure the passage of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act – laws that gave Black Americans some measure of hope for a more equitable future, and assured them they would now have a voice in the life of the nation. For their lifetime of service to others and the cause of justice, both men were awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom - fittingly from President Barack Obama, this nation's first Black President. The best way we can honor the sacrifice and service of these two distinguished warriors is to carry forward their fight, as John Lewis said, to redeem the soul of America."
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