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** OCA Remembers and Honors John Lewis
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

19 July 2020

Contact: Eiley Fong | Communications Associate
202.223.5500 | [email protected]

Washington, DC - OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates mourns the loss of civil rights hero John Lewis. He was a member of Congress from 1987 until his death Friday night. Notably, Congressman Lewis was an original member of the Freedom Riders and the only surviving speaker of the March on Washington. The passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was spurred by the Bloody Sunday March in which he attempted to peacefully lead protestors across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, but was turned back and beaten by dozens of state troopers. Every year, he made a pilgrimage to Selma to remember the events of that tragic day. His work, fearless moral leadership, and selfless dedication to equity and civil rights for all, including immigrants, inspired generations of civil rights leaders, including many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

“John Lewis’ legacy is the embodiment of America’s greatest values: justice, equality, and morality,” said Sharon M. Wong, OCA National President. “He devoted his life to public service and never forgot to include Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders every time he spoke of our nation’s people. It is not a coincidence that OCA’s fight for voting and immigration rights have been pioneered by Congressman Lewis.”

“His leadership with his peers paved the way for AAPIs to gain civil rights and later organize and advocate for our community and allies. He also fought for key AAPI civil rights leaders, such as in the confirmation of Bill Lann Lee as the Assistant U.S. Attorney General in the Civil Rights Division. It is regrettable that John Lewis was never able to see the reality he dreamed of, but this should challenge us to stay accountable in our work. In his honor, OCA will continue to persist in our fight for equity and equality.”

OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national civil rights organization dedicated to improving the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs).

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