We celebrate Congressman John Lewis, who passes through Alabama one last time this weekend as part of a series of “Celebration of Life” ceremonies and events, including crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge by horse drawn carriage, where 55 years ago he and other voting rights advocates were beaten by Alabama state troopers.
The civil rights icon, whose life’s work to combat racial injustice began in the segregated South as a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and original group of 13 Freedom Riders before leading him to the halls of Congress as a longtime Georgia representative, died on July 17.
He was a towering figure in American history – a hero in our fight for equality and justice. We recommit ourselves to continue in his footsteps, and we won’t stop until all of us are truly free and equal.
Lead photo by Stephen Poff
Troy, Alabama
Rev. Darryl Caldwell speaks as the casket of the late Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., lies in repose during a service celebrating “The Boy from Troy” at Troy University on Saturday, July 25, 2020, in Troy, Ala. Lewis, who carried the struggle against racial discrimination from Southern battlegrounds of the 1960s to the halls of Congress, died Friday, July 17, 2020.
AP Photo/Brynn AndersonThe casket of the late Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., arrives to lie in repose at Troy University on Saturday, July 25, 2020, in Troy, Ala.
AP Photo/Brynn AndersonLewis’ great nephew speaks during the memorial service for late U.S. Congressman John Lewis, a pioneer of the civil rights movement and long-time member of the U.S. House of Representatives who died July 17, at Troy University’s Trojan Arena in Troy, Alabama, U.S., July 25, 2020.
Reuters/Elijah Nouvelage Rosa Mae Tyner, sister of late U.S. Congressman John Lewis, a pioneer of the civil rights movement and long-time member of the U.S. House of Representatives who died July 17, speaks during his memorial service, at Troy University’s Trojan Arena in Troy, Alabama, U.S., July 25, 2020.
Reuters/Elijah Nouvelage
Selma, Alabama
Reuters/Elijah Nouvelage
Reuters/Christopher Aluka Berry
Stephen Poff
Stephen Poff
Stephen Poff
Stephen Poff
Stephen Poff
Stephen Poff
Stephen Poff
Stephen Poff
Stephen Poff