Civil Rights Icon John Lewis Crosses Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma Alabama For The Last Time

July 26, 2020 | By Alwin Squire |

Civil Rights Icon John Lewis has taken his final ride across the infamous Edmund Pettus bridge in Selma Alabama. It was this same bridge where he crossed decades ago on March 7, 1965  in a protest for civil voting rights. As he crossed the now infamous bridge he was met by an angry mob of white citizens and police officers who beat him almost to death. The event is known in history as Bloody Sunday.

Congressman

Congressman Lewis overcame the beatings, overcame the arrests and took himself to the upper echelons of American politics, the US Congress. It is in congress where he continued his fight for civil rights until July 17, 2020 when he passed away.  He has been in politics for 6 decades starting in 1986 when he was elected to the Georgia State of Representatives.

He is now being honoured with a state funeral and several memorial services. His body is lying in state in Alabama after which it will be carried to Washington and then carried back to Atlanta Georgia for his final resting place.

Funeral

The private funeral for Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis will be held in the state of Georgia and take place at Ebenezer Baptist Church Horizon Sanctuary on Thursday July 30, 2020.

Remembering John Lewis

Below you will find a special masterclass episode produced by OWN, highlighting the life and times of John Lewis.