19 Jul Remembering John Lewis
Congressman John Lewis—battle soldier, visionary, humble man, Congressman—crossed his final earthly bridge last night.
The Mississippi Center for Justice exists to carry on the struggle that he and so many before him waged so well. We pause to reflect on his life, work, achievement, and legacy.
“When Congressman Lewis addressed MCJ last, in 2014, we were touched by his focus on love, dignity, and respect,” said Vangela M. Wade, President and CEO of MCJ. “Few in the modern era faced more indignity, attack, and struggle than Congressman Lewis, but he focused us all on keeping our vision, non-violence, and the intrinsic love of which we are all capable. Few of us are able to hold on to that, in the face of so much hostility; we were blessed to have Congressman Lewis as a national leader, and as a supporter of MCJ.”
Congressman Lewis was a Freedom Rider, activist, student leader, city councilman, congressman, and inspiration to us all. In 1961 he was wrongly incarcerated for 37 days in Mississippi’s notorious penitentiary, Parchman Farm, for “disorderly conduct,” a defining moment in his activist career.
“On behalf of the Mississippi Center for Justice, we thank him for his vision, his work, and his love. Rest in Power, Congressman Lewis. We use your courage and legacy to carry on your fight from here.”