“Every state and every county has its own Edmund Pettus Bridge to cross,” said Helen Butler, executive director of the People’s Agenda. Lewis’s refrain rings as relevant in 2020 as it did then: At least 184 Georgians have been killed by Georgia police over the past 10 years. “If not us, then who? If not now, then when?” the late Congressman John Lewis asked at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965 in the face of Alabama state troopers, waiting to inflict “pain deterrence” on those marching to gain the right to register to vote.
If you found this article helpful, please consider supporting our independent reporting and truth-telling for as little as $5 per month. 14, voters across Georgia joined community organizers for John Lewis “Good Trouble” marches and votercades. The John Lewis “Good Trouble” get-out-the-vote marches and votercades are organized and led by: the Leadership Conference Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda the Transformative Justice Coalition the family of Ahmaud Arbery (father, Marcus Arbery, and the aunts of Ahmaud Arbery) the Southern Christian Leadership Conference the Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda the Rainbow PUSH Coalition the National Bar Association and other community leaders and organizers throughout the state. These votercades aim to encourage Brown, Black and all Georgians of color to vote-especially for those killed wrongfully at the hands of police or white vigilantes, such as Ahmaud Arbery, who cannot vote themselves. Senate run-off election, over 14 “Good Trouble” votercades will be held on Election Day-Jan.
Understanding Tuesday is the last opportunity to impact the U.S. ( Transformative Justice Coalition, / Twitter) for mourners, and his funeral will be held Thursday at Ebenezer Baptist Church.Editor’s note: This article will be updated as more specific information on the votercades becomes available. Lewis' fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma, will hold an Omega Ceremony for him at 7 p.m. So I don't care how long I had to wait, I wanted to make sure I came." to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, when Lewis and other marchers were violently beaten by law enforcement. She walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala. to ensure she would get a chance to say goodbye to the congressman. Theresa Thomas from Stockbridge arrived before 1 p.m. "It was because of his endless courage, his commitment to the struggle and getting in 'good trouble' that gave us the opportunity to seek public office," he said.
"Although an Alabama legend, an Atlanta icon and an American hero, Congressman Lewis took time to let me know - to let all of us know - that we matter to him."Ĭalvin Smyre, the longest-serving member of the Georgia State House, said that "a giant redwood tree has fallen in the Georgia forests of life." "As we mourn his passing, we should all recommit ourselves to the principles he fought for: our country’s core foundation in liberty, freedom, and justice for all."Ītlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said Lewis was someone who was always available to constituents and always had a story to share. "In our country’s most trying moments, Congressman Lewis taught us the lesson of joyful, steadfast commitment to ideals bigger than one man or one movement," Gov. Others took time to offer verbal thanks to the 17-term congressman who served as "Conscience of the Congress" and played a foundational role in the civil rights movement and a decades-long fight for justice.įamily and friends sat surrounding his casket during a special ceremony where elected officials praised Lewis' work and trailblazing activism that helped secure voting rights for Black Americans. John Lewis before his funeral and burial in Atlanta. Hundreds of mask-clad mourners filed through the Georgia State Capitol rotunda Wednesday to pay respects to legendary civil rights icon Rep.