Celebrities and political figures are remembering the legacy of Rep. John Lewis after he died at age 80 on July 17 [1]. The civil rights leader, who was battling stage four pancreatic cancer, served as the US Representative for Georgia's Fifth congressional district since 1987 and played a pivotal role in the 1963 March on Washington alongside Martin Luther King Jr. He also helped introduce the 2019 Voter Empowerment Act [2], which supports equal ballot access for seniors, students, low-income Americans, Armed Services members, people with disabilities, and those who speak English as a second language. Recently, he commended Black Lives Matter demonstrators [3] for fighting against racial injustice, saying, "It gives me hope that as a nation and as a people, we're going to get there. We're going to make it." Ahead, read some of the most powerful tributes to the social justice icon.
Barack Obama
Barack, who awarded John with the Medal of Freedom in 2011 [5], wrote on Instagram: "Not many of us get to live to see our own legacy play out in such a meaningful, remarkable way. John Lewis did. And thanks to him, we now all have our marching orders—to keep believing in the possibility of remaking this country we love until it lives up to its full promise."
Read Barack's full tribute [6].
Rev. Jesse Jackson
Jesse praised John's legacy in an Instagram post [7], writing, "Reflections on @repjohnlewis ... We met as fellow protestors in 1960. Two weeks ago, John agreed to co-chair this year's voter registration drive. He was the gift that kept on giving. This has been a difficult season. First, Rev Dr. Joseph Lowery, Dr. King's Chairman of SCLC's Board for 27 years, and now we have lost Rev. CT Vivian and John Lewis, on the same day. In the 1960's, we broke out of the bubble of segregation. John became the valedictorian of our class. John Lewis is what patriotism and courage look like. He sacrificed and personifies a New Testament prophet. Andrew Young and I prayed for John Lewis & CT Vivian on Thursday as we convened those who I went to jail with in 1960. Good Night, I will see you in the morning."
Nancy Pelosi
The Speaker of the House honoured John on Instagram, [8] writing, "@RepJohnLewis was a titan of the civil rights movement whose goodness, faith and bravery transformed our nation. Every day of his life was dedicated to bringing freedom and justice to all. His memory moves us all to, in the face of injustice, make 'good trouble, necessary trouble.' May it be a comfort to his son John-Miles & his entire family that so many mourn their loss at this sad time."
Nancy shared another Instagram tribute [9], adding, "@repjohnlewis: hero, champion & challenge to conscience of the nation. Your visit with the newest voices for justice at the Black Lives Matter mural with @mayor_bowser was wonderful & iconic. Thank you for that final public statement in furtherance of a more perfect union."