Flags in the City of West Hollywood are flying at half-staff today in honor of Georgia Congressman and civil rights activist, John Lewis, who died yesterday, Friday, July 17, 2020, at the age of 80.
“Rest in power, fierce warrior for justice #rip #johnlewis” West Hollywood Mayor Lindsey Horvath posted on her Instagram account. She also retweeted several tributes honoring the Congressman on her Twitter account.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCxYj72A0KE/
West Hollywood Councilmember John D’Amico tweeted the following: “Congressman John Lewis. Lived a bold and valorous life. And the world is better for it. May your memory be a blessing. @repjohnlewis #ThankYouForYourService.”
Congressman John Lewis.
Lived a bold and valorous life. And the world is better for it.
May your memory be a blessing.@repjohnlewis #ThankYouForYourService
— Councilmember D'Amico (@ourWEHO) July 18, 2020
“RIP JOHN LEWIS – THE JOURNEY IS DONE,” posted council member John Duran on his Facebook timeline daily update. “Back when we were struggling for LGBT equality in the 90’s, Congressman John Lewis picked up our non discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity mantra and fought for me and for you. Initially, some civil rights groups were reluctant to expand the 1965 Civil Rights act to include LGBT people. But not John Lewis. In the early struggle for marriage equality, most politicians shied away from supporting us (including Barack Obama, Barbara Boxer and the Clintons). But not John Lewis.
The Honorable John Lewis’ response: ‘I fought too hard and too long against discrimination based on race and color not to stand up for discrimination based on sexual orientation.’
From the sit ins in the 1960s, to the March on Washington in 1963 – to the March from Selma to Montgomery on “Bloody Sunday” – the man is a great American hero and I join so many in mourning him today. RIP kind and gentle giant – the journey is done.”
Congressman John Lewis was a member of the Democratic Party. He was the U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 5th congressional district from 1987 until his death. He was also the dean of the Georgia congressional delegation. The district he served includes the northern three-fourths of Atlanta.
Lewis was a chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and one of the “Big Six” leaders of groups who organized the 1963 March on Washington. He played many key roles in the civil rights movement and its actions to end legalized racial segregation in the United States. He became a leader of the Democratic Party in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving from 1991 as a Chief Deputy Whip and from 2003 as Senior Chief Deputy Whip. He received many honorary degrees and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
