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This weekend we lost American heroes Representative John Lewis [[link removed]] and Reverend C.T. Vivian [[link removed]] . Both Lewis and Vivian were monumental in the civil rights movement’s advancement of racial equity and justice.

Representative John Lewis was born on February 21, 1940 in Troy, Alabama to sharecroppers Willie Mae and Eddie Lewis. From the time he was a young boy, Lewis was inspired to become involved in the civil rights movement. Like many civil rights leaders, he attended segregated schools, witnessed the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and was moved by the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In later years, Lewis himself would lead pivotal aspects of the civil rights movement.

Famous for his role on “Bloody Sunday,” a march on Selma across Edmund Pettus Bridge, Lewis suffered hearing damage from a brutal attack during the march. This attack, however, did not keep him from spending his life challenging segregation, racism, and inequality across America. Despite battling stage four Pancreatic cancer in 2020, Lewis still marched for the 55th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday.” In 1987, Lewis was elected as a Democrat for Georgia District 5 and represented Black Georgians in Atlanta. Activists in Atlanta remark on the leadership and guidance he provided. Others tell stories of his compassion and commitment to fighting for the rights of all people. As John Lewis once said, “You cannot be afraid to speak up and speak out for what you believe. You have to have courage, raw courage.”

In honoring his legacy, we must continue to speak up about injustice and speak out to end systemic racism in America. We must honor him by calling on congress to restore the full power of the Voting Rights Act and fight to rename Edmund Pettus Bridge, currently named after a Confederate General and Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon, to John Lewis Bridge [[link removed]] to mark his legacy.

Reverend C.T. Vivian , born July 30, 1924 in Boonville Missouri, spent his life fighting to the rights of Black people. In 1947, he attended his first protest and formed the Nashville Christian Leadership Conference in 1955. He was a deeply religious and loving man that cared deeply about his community. By 1965, Vivian became the director of national affiliates for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

During Vivian’s work as a voting rights advocate, he led a group of people to register to vote but was prevented from doing so by a blockade led by Sheriff Jim Clark in Selma, AL. Vivian, unafraid to stand up for voting rights, spoke these words to Clark, “We will register to vote because as citizens of the United States we have the right to do it.” Clark then beat Vivian until he was dripping in blood in front of rolling cameras. This is a reminder that the fight for justice against police brutality in America has been long lasting. Vivian’s work was monumental in challenging racism in America. He is remembered as a great tree for justice because he was strong, peaceful, and provided protection for the Black people he spent his life advocating for.

Rest in Power, Congressman John Lewis and Reverend C.T. Vivian. You were both instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement and we will continue the fight for racial justice and equity that you both championed and led throughout your lives. We send out love to all those grieving these American heroes.
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