The world, and especially the US, have just suffered a tragic loss. John Lewis, one of the greatest heroes of our time is gone. I met him, briefly, on two occasions, once coordinating SDS support for a SNCC demonstration in New York, and once in an organizational meeting for MLK’s Vietnam Summer. Seldom have so much moral power and so much gentle humility combined in one person.
John Lewis, who went from being the youngest leader of the 1963 March on Washington to a long-serving congressman from Georgia and icon of the civil rights movement, died Friday. He was 80.
In December 2019, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
As a leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Lewis was a committed participant in some of the key moments of the movement — an original Freedom Rider in 1961, a principal speaker at the March on Washington in 1963, one of those brutally clubbed during a 1965 march in Selma, Ala. Through it all, he faced taunts, beatings and dozens of arrests.
“In the face of what John considered the evils of segregation, he was fearless,” said longtime SNCC activist Courtland Cox.
By his middle years, he was in Congress and sometimes referred to it as its “conscience.”…
Inserted from <Politico>
I have to say that Bought Bitch Midnight Moscow Mitch had the audacious hypocrisy to praise Lewis upon his death, while still holding up Lewis’ bill to fix the Voting Rights Act. I have two words for McConnell and Republicans who share his hypocrisy. The second is ‘you’, and the first begins with F, ends with UCK, and rhymes with truck. John Lewis would never say that, but he was a better man than I am.
Let me close with his own words that I heard in person.
Rep John Lewis’ Speech at March on Washington
RESIST!!
14 Responses to “In Loving Memory”
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C. T. Vivian also died yesterday. I suspect you met him also. He was older – 95 IIRC – but, like John and Elijah, he died too soon. All three deserved to live long enough to see Trump* out of office.
Last night, when I first saw the headline, I was stunned. I heard my own voice saying “Oh, no. No. No, no, no, no, no” almost without realizing it was me saying it. Not profound, but heartfelt.
I wish I could express myself like Dan Rather:
Such a sense of profound sadness when I heard of Mr. Cumming’s death then, and now of Mr. Lewis’ passing.
He was a kind, caring and compassionate man, and strove for equality for all. I didn’t know of him personally, I wish I did, but he was a gentle giant who stood up for the rights of all.
“John Lewis was an icon who fought with every ounce of his being to advance the cause of civil rights for ALL Americans. I’m devastated for his family, friends, and staff and those whose lives he touched. My friend. Thank you for showing the world what #good trouble looks like.” ~ Kamala Harris ~
TJI – Marco Rubio(‘s team, but still) put up a condolence for Lewis with a picture of Cummings I suppose “they all look alike.” Grrrr.
Holy Moly!! I saw and read that, with picture.
Man needs to go sit down, and shut his mouth, (or twitter).
An American Hero….RIP.
Heroes like him are hard to come by.
Meanwhile cowards like BBM are all over that damn place!
I made this petition to rename the Edmund Pettus Bridge in his memory.
Petition signed.
Thanks for creating it, Freya.
Signed with gusto!
Done along with some others condemning Trump and Barr.
Heard the breaking news last evening about the death of Congressman John Lewis.
He has done so much to stand up and fight for the rights of the people.
A true American Hero. Will always be remembered. .
I send my condolences to his family and close friends.
As a bystander of American politics more than anything else, I was never much aware of the role John Lewis played as a civil rights activist in his younger years but I admired him immensely as a Congressman and the inimitable role he played with grace and dignity as Congress’ conscience.
I’m so sorry he didn’t live to see Trump, McConnell and their ilk removed from the political stage. It would have been a just reward for his many years of service to the American people.
Thank you, John Lewis, for being the man you were.
I read an online article Friday about John Lewis. When I first saw it, I was taken aback because it was the type of reporting that is usually done at someone’s passing. I found myself in total disbelief and holding my breath as I scanned it. But there was no mention of his passing at all. That changed today.
I am deeply saddened at his passing and extend my condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
Rest in Peace John Lewis.
Thanks and Hurry Hugs to all!