Politicians and activists reward Rep. John Lewis’s legacy of “good hassle”

Tributes are pouring in from political leaders and activists following the information late Friday night time that Rep. John Lewis, the Georgia congressman and civil rights chief, has died.

In tweets and public statements, Democratic and Republican lawmakers, in addition to present and former colleagues within the civil rights motion, praised Lewis’s many years of activism — a lifelong mission he typically described as “good hassle.”

The son of sharecroppers, Lewis was solely 23 years previous when he spoke on the March on Washington in 1963. He was among the many “Huge Six” of the 1960s Civil Rights motion, a bunch led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that deliberate that occasion, and was its final surviving member.

He was among the many protesters crushed by legislation enforcement throughout a 1965 march throughout the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, an incident that helped spur federal civil rights laws, significantly the Voting Rights Act, handed later that yr.

Described as “the conscience of Congress,” Lewis was elected to the physique in 1986 as a Democrat in Atlanta. Over the course of his profession, he opposed the Iraq Battle, protested for the rights of refugees and immigrants, and advocated for gun reform measures. Lately, he argued for President Donald Trump’s impeachment from the ground of the Home of Representatives, and took half in anti-racism protests.

In December, Lewis introduced that he had stage four pancreatic most cancers. In an announcement on the time, he wrote that he would proceed working for his district, writing, “We nonetheless have many bridges to cross.”

As information of his loss of life unfold on Friday night time and into Saturday morning, leaders from throughout the political spectrum referred to that legacy of combating as they supplied their condolences in public statements and on social media.

Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued an announcement that stated Lewis’ colleagues in Congress have been “heartbroken.”

“Could his reminiscence be an inspiration that strikes us all to, within the face of injustice, make ‘good hassle, crucial hassle,’” she stated.

Former President Obama, who honored Lewis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, praised the congressman’s dedication to nonviolence in an announcement revealed Saturday.

Lewis “beloved this nation a lot that he risked his life and his blood in order that it would stay as much as its promise,” Obama wrote. “And thru the many years, he not solely gave all of himself to the reason for freedom and justice, however impressed generations that adopted to attempt to stay as much as his instance.”

In an announcement, Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, referred to as Lewis “really a one-of-a-kind, an ethical compass who at all times knew the place to level us and which route to march.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) praised Lewis’ lifelong dedication to collective activism, writing the lawmaker’s “braveness helped rework this nation.”

Keisha Lance Bottoms, the mayor of Atlanta, ordered the flags of metropolis corridor to be flown half-mast in Lewis’ honor, calling him “essentially the most courageous of giants” in a tweet.

Flags will equally be lowered on the US Capitol in Lewis’ honor, and on the White Home.

President Donald Trump had not but issued an announcement about Lewis on Saturday morning, however in a proclamation, Trump said that the act was “a mark of respect for the reminiscence and longstanding public service” of Lewis.

The proclamation implies that all flags at public buildings, army posts, naval stations and vessels, and in any respect United States embassies, consulates, and amenities overseas, will stay at half-mast all through Saturday.

Though Lewis was a lifelong Democrat, many Republicans, together with some with whom Lewis had sparred in Congress — some who had opposed Lewis’ work as an activist — additionally shared their ideas.

Former President Bush, whose first inauguration Lewis skipped, and who later joined Lewis on the Edmund Pettus Bridge for the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, stated he was mourning Lewis’ loss of life.

“As a younger man marching for equality in Selma, Alabama, John answered brutal violence with brave hope,” Bush stated in an announcement. “And all through his profession as a civil rights chief and public servant, he labored to make our nation a extra excellent union. America can finest honor John’s reminiscence by persevering with his journey towards liberty and justice for all.”

Senate Majority Chief Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued an announcement about Lewis’ loss of life that referred to as him “a pioneering civil rights chief who put his life on the road to combat racism, promote equal rights, and convey our nation into higher alignment with its founding ideas.”

Critics responded to McConnell’s assertion by noting that one of many causes for which Lewis shed blood, the Voting Rights Act, has been defanged, and that McConnell has to date declined to again laws meant to revive key parts of it.

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) referred to as Lewis a person of “unwavering precept, unassailable character, penetrating goal, and heartfelt compassion.”

Sen. Tim Scott, the Senate’s solely African American Republican, stated that Lewis had welcomed him to Congress with “open arms” after his 2011 election.

“He was a large amongst males; his life and legacy will proceed to serve for instance for the generations to come back,” Scott tweeted. “I’m inspired by his braveness, dedication, and perseverance, traits that we will all attempt to emulate – particularly within the wake of present occasions.”

The tributes mirrored the trajectory of Lewis’ profession, from Alabama-born activist to Georgia politician.

Fellow Georgia lawmakers talking in Lewis’ honor included Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, each Republicans, and Stacey Abrams, a Democrat. Former president Jimmy Carter additionally had reward for Lewis.

“He made an indelible mark on historical past by his quest to make our nation extra simply,” Carter, who appointed Lewis the affiliate director of ACTION a federal volunteer company in 1977, wrote. “The whole lot he did, he did in a spirit of affection. All Individuals, no matter race or faith, owe John Lewis a debt of gratitude.”

Different civil rights leaders praised a pal and comrade.

“My pal, function mannequin, and activist extraordinaire has handed,” Rev. Al Sharpton wrote. “Congressman John Lewis taught us the way to be an activist. He modified the world with out hate, rancor or vanity. A uncommon and nice man.”

And Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., stated that Lewis “personifies a New Testomony prophet.”

Dr. King’s kids, Bernice King and Martin Luther King III, additionally praised their father’s colleague.

“Farewell, sir. You probably did, certainly, combat the nice combat and get into numerous good hassle. You served God and humanity nicely,” wrote Bernice King, whereas her brother referred to as Lewis “an American treasure.”

Funeral data for Lewis has not but been shared, and public tributes of the sort that celebrated the lifetime of fellow activist and Congressman Elijah Cummings are unlikely throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Notably absent among the many speedy outpouring of tributes was an announcement from President Donald Trump, who incessantly ridiculed Lewis. Lewis skipped Trump’s 2017 inauguration, saying that he thought of the election to be illegitimate, and Trump has attacked Lewis in tweets, calling him “all discuss, discuss, discuss – no motion.”

Though Trump himself didn’t launched an announcement Saturday morning, his press secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted a tribute, writing that “We maintain his household in our prayers, as we bear in mind Rep. John Lewis’ unimaginable contributions to our nation.”