Lisa Rayam
,
Lily Oppenheimer
| WABE
July 20th, 2020
Atlanta and the nation are still mourning two American civil rights giants who passed away on the same day.
Georgia Congressman John Lewis passed away on Friday, after announcing he was battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer back in December.
Lewis was the last survivor of the Big Six civil rights activists, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Among his more than 40 arrests in the name of social justice, Lewis was revered for leading hundreds of protesters in the 1965 Bloody Sunday march in Selma, Alabama.
C.T. Vivian, who led the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and was at the right hand of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., passed away early Friday morning. He was 95 years old.
Vivian’s advocacy spans over 70 years, and he also traveled to Selma, Alabama, in 1965, to stand on the courthouse steps to register Black voters. There, Vivian was beaten by the local Sheriff, Jim Clark.
“Morning Edition” host Lisa Rayam reflected with several Atlanta leaders about their memories with Lewis and Vivian.
Andrew Young Remembers John Lewis and C.T. Vivian
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said that all Americans, regardless of race or religion, owe Lewis a debt of gratitude. Gov. Brian Kemp ordered that American flags on all state buildings and grounds be flown at half-staff on Saturday, and said that Georgia had lost a true titan who was beloved.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms wrote in a statement that she knew Lewis as a friend and that Georgians were privileged to be represented by a leader with an unshakable commitment to human rights.
U.S. Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue said that few people have the grit, tenacity and courage of Rep. John Lewis, and that Americans must continue his legacy in rejecting the status quo.
Former President Barack Obama tweeted that not many of us get to see our own legacy play out in such a remarkable way.
Lewis’ family has yet to announce funeral arrangements.
Spelman College has announced it plans to start an endowed scholarship for several students, to honor Lewis’ memory.
Officials with the historically Black college for women said Spelman will award annual scholarships to five Social Justice Fellows.
Each student will receive a one-time award of $10,000.
