The John Lewis mural on Auburn Avenue in Atlanta is now serving as a gathering site for those mourning his death.
Emil Moffatt / WABE
When asked to define the legacy of longtime Georgia U.S. Rep. John Lewis, Jose Sanchez asked “Where does one begin?”
Sanchez was among the mourners who gathered at the six-story mural on Auburn Avenue dedicated to John Lewis, the civil rights icon who died Friday at age 80. Some brought flowers, others took photos and some shared their memories.
“He was a hero, he was there, he was there a hundred percent,” said Sanchez. “He followed a path and stuck to it and never stopped.”
Mourners leave flowers near the John Lewis mural on Auburn Avenue. Photo credit: Emil Moffatt/WABE News
Stephanie Nelson said Lewis risked his life for the cause of civil rights, recalling the events of the 1960s when Lewis was beaten and arrested by law enforcement in Selma, Alabama.
“I’m just really touched and honored to be here and honoring his legacy,” said Nelson. “I brought flowers and laid them down at the foot of the mural. But it’s just, my heart is really hurt this morning.”
Snapper Freeman is an advocate for pancreatic cancer awareness. He says he admired Lewis’ life before and after he was diagnosed with the illness.
“You’ve heard the stories about him starting when he was 15 writing letters. And you just think about how long he was active and what he did and it’s sad to see that he’s gone,” said Freeman.
Alexis Ahlzadeh said she was also taken to learn of how young Lewis was when his activism began. She said that should resonate today with the ongoing demonstrations against injustice.
“These young kids are the ones who change the world and who are going to be changing the world,” said Ahlzadeh. “And that man right there was 23 speaking at the March on Washington and until the day he died he was still fighting and that’s a damn life, you know. Extremely inspiring, like you can dedicate your life to good.”
Krista Artis said Lewis’ life was a lesson in patience.
“We want to see change happen quickly, but he recognized that change takes time, and I think that something that we really need to learn from him.”
Artis also recalled a chance encounter with Lewis.
“I met him in a train station in D.C. one time and he was just the kindest man…the kindest eyes. I mean, I felt like I had known him forever. It’s just really sad that we don’t have him anymore,” she said.
