“My philosophy is very simple: When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to stand up and just say something, you have to do something. I got into good trouble, necessary trouble. Even today, I tell people, ‘We need to get in good trouble.‘” – Rep. John Lewis
Rep. John Lewis, known for his contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, passed away on July 17 after battling pancreatic cancer. He was 80 years old.
Lewis spent more than thirty years in Congress and was a representative of Georgia’s 5th congressional district.
Hailing from Troy, Alabama, Lewis started his career in politics by becoming the chairman of the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) after being inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the bus boycotts of Montgomery.
During the March On Washington, Lewis, who was the youngest speaker at the age of 23, gave a notable speech alongside Dr. King’s famous delivery of the “I Have A Dream” speech in 1963.
Lewis was arrested more than 40 times in his quest to advocate for social justice and equality for black people.
In 1965, Alabama State Police severely beat Lewis as he led a protest march from the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama to the capital of Montgomery demanding that black Americans have the right to vote. The violent day became known as “Bloody Sunday.”
In 1981, Lewis ran for Atlanta City Council and won, a position he would hold until 1986. Throughout his career, he would continue to advocate for the black community, protest war, and push for gun-safety legislation.
Lewis was honored with several accolades that included the Wallenberg Medal from the University of Michigan, the Four Freedoms Award for Freedom of Speech, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation Profile in Courage Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama, among many more.
He received over 50 honorary degrees over the span of his career as he continued to be outspoken about equality.
The politician revealed in December that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Lewis received treatments in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta as he continued to pursue political objectives.
Just a week ago (July 11), North Carolina Rep. Alma Adams tweeted her condolences on the passing of the civil rights legend, but later retracted the tweet saying that it was a false report.
“I am deeply sorry to Congressman John Lewis, his family, and his staff for the erroneous information posted to our social media accounts earlier today (Saturday). Rep. Lewis is one of my friends and heroes and I am relieved to know he is at home resting.”
The icon is survived by his son John-Miles Lewis. His wife, Lilian Miles Lewis, passed away in 2012.
