John Lewis

John Lewis (1940-2020) was a prominent civil rights leader, congressman, and activist. He played a key role in the Civil Rights Movement, organizing and participating in nonviolent protests to fight against racial discrimination and segregation in the United States. Lewis was a founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and was one of the "Big Six" leaders of the Movement. He was a key figure in the historic March on Washington in 1963, where he delivered a powerful speech alongside Martin Luther King Jr. Lewis was famously beaten and arrested multiple times for his activism, including during the Bloody Sunday march in Selma, Alabama in 1965. He later served in the U.S. House of Representatives for over three decades, representing Georgia's 5th congressional district. Throughout his career, Lewis remained a steadfast advocate for social justice, voting rights, and equality for all. His dedication to nonviolent protest and his lifelong commitment to fighting for justice made him a revered and inspirational figure in American history.