John lewis. We will start by reading the story from the New York Times this morning. Rning. The New York Times reports it like this. Lewis,ntative john bloodied as selma and across the historic south, and who is carried a mantle of of moral authority into congress, died on friday. He was 80. This was confirmed by nancy pelosi, speaker of the house of representatives. Stagewis announced he had stageiotic cancer four pancreatic cancer. I have fought for human rights he nearly my entire life, said. Mr. Lewis was a valiant stalwart of the Civil Rights Movement. Later,an a halfcentury after the killing in may of george floyd, mr. Lewis welcomed the resulting demonstrations against Police Killing of black people and more broadly against systematic racism in all corners of society. It was very moving to see hundreds of thousands of people from all over america and around the world take to the streets, to speak up, to speak out, to get into what i call good inuble, mr. Lewis told cbs june. Drove the black lives Matter Movement is massive and allinclusive. Asdied on the same day another stalwart of the civilrights movement, a close associate of Martin Luther king junior. We want to know what you think about john lewiss life and legacy. We will start with jerry calling from detroit, michigan. Caller good morning. Greetings, yet again, from motown. The news about the passing of john lewis. He was definitely a Freedom Fighter for racial equality and social justice and it fought against white racism in america. I followed his career for a long time. He will certainly be missed. I think his fight against white racism is probably one of the bravest i have seen in a long time. Host jerry, are you still there . Time whenfirst did you first hear of john lewis . During his civilrights movement, or during his time as a congressman . Learned of his work as a Civil Rights Activist just in the last couple of decades or so. I followed his work in the congress and everything. Id he was definitely, it like said it, a Freedom Fighter, and it fought against white racism. I admired his passion. We will miss him very, very much, and i want to thank him for getting in good trouble. Host we will bring statements coming from all levels of government. We will start with the body john lewis served in the past few decades, and that is congress. Here is a statement coming from House Speaker nancy pelosi. In the halls of the capital he was fearless in his pursuit of a more perfect union, whether it the his leadership on equality act, or his work as a Senior Member of the ways and Means Committee to make sure we invest in what we value. Wasy day of john lewiss dedicated to bringing freedom and justice to all. Declared, 57 years ago on the march on washington, our minds, souls, and hearts cannot rest until freedom and justice exists for all the people. How fitting it is that even in the last weeks of his battle with cancer, john summoned the strength to visit the peaceful protests where the newest generation of americans have poured into the streets to take up the unfinished work of racial justice. Were are talking about congressman john lewis, his life and works. He died on friday night at age 80. He was one of, if not the last, living speaker from the march on washington. Lets see what some of our social media followers are saying this morning about the passing of john lewis. Here is a note from facebook that says Great American hero. Job well done. I was here in alabama during the civil rights marches, and it did take courage for a black person to be out there marching. He did change our country for the better. Another, a welldeserved recipient of this metal. Remembered forbe his great service. John lewis was a true American Hero and a great man. We want to know what you think about the life and legacy of john lewis. If you are in the eastern time zone, we went to hear from you at 202 7488000. Mountain and pacific, your line is 202 7488001. Us at 202 7488003. E are on twitter lets go to christopher, calling from inglewood, new jersey. John lewis represented, in my rights as a person with special needs, he helped me see we do have a voice in our world. He helped us strive further and across bridges. The most crossed greatest of bridges, the rainbow bridge to a higher plane, for he has received his promotion because of all the good he left behind in this world. I am so thrilled and honored that he would make me more aware of my own rights as an individual with special needs. He made me aware of what i could do to make life better. I am deeply saddened that this man, who gave up his life for hasof us, including myself, left us so sadly. Thank you, john lewis. President obama presented the president ial medal of freedom to john lewis in 2010. Heres what president obama had to say about john lewis. [video clip] quote inscribed in a doorway in nashville where students refused to leave lunch counters years ago. It said it, if not us, then who . If not now, then when . Hass a question john lewis been asking his entire life. Back to theed him Edmund Pettus bridge in selma after he had been beaten two inchof his life to an of his life days before. It is why all these years later, he is known as the conscience of congress, still speaking his mind on issues of justice and inequality. Generations from now, when parents teach their children what is meant by courage, the story of john lewis will come to mind. He knew the change could not wait for some other person or other time. Host lets go back to our phone lines and see what you think about the life of congressman john lewis. Lets go to nadia from yonkers, new york. Caller i want to thank john lewis and his legacy. And his family, my condolences. I would like to mention that the black lives movement is a continuation of the efforts he put in. If it was not for him watching marching, and the group that marched at that time, we would not have accomplished that which we have accomplished, which was the elimination of the jim crow laws. Millennials out there now, i want to thank them, and i want them to understand that in the legacy of john lewis, to continue to march for oppression to be removed and all of these for all racism actions, mankind, especially. Thank you. Will while john lewis always be remembered for his civilrights work, he was also on the forefront of another movement. Here is a story coming from the atlanta constitution journal about his work on gayrights. For racial equality made him an icon in the 1960s, but he was on the forefront of another Civil Rights Movement decades later. Lewis supported samesex marriage the early to thousands, more than a decade prior to when the u. S. Supreme court legalized the unions. The unions. I have worked to hard and too long against discrimination based on race and color not to stand up against discrimination based on sexual orientation. A few weeks later, after a state Supreme Court ruling, massachusetts became the first state to recognize gay marriage. Kathy willard became the first elected official in georgia in 1997. For lb gt qied q woolardb gt law buried lobbied for lgbt advocacy. Is 19 in his memoir, lewis said his connection with the Gay Community spraying from his g fromence spran his experience of being treated differently. Once again, we are talking about the life and legacy of john lewis this morning. Story, we heard about his 1998 memoir. Spoke withhn lewis brian lam about his autobiography, across that bridge. Here he recounted his experience leading a group of students across the Edmund Pettus bridge in alabama when he was 25 years old. [video clip] 1965, when i was much younger, i had an Organization Called the student nonviolent coordinating committee, a group of young people, students and attempted to cross the Edmund Pettus bridge in selma, alabama, to march to montgomery, to dramatize to the nation and to the world that people wanted simply to just to register wanted simply to register to vote. We arrived at the apex of the bridge. Bluebelow, we saw a sea of Alabama State troopers. Camentinued to walk and within hearing distance of the state troopers. A man identified himself and it said it, i am major john cloud of the Alabama State troopers. Its is an unlawful march and will not be allowed to continue. One of the young people walking major, giveid it, us a moment to kneel and play. Said, let us advance. At the foot of that bridge, i was beaten. I thought i was going to die. I thought i saw death. Bridge, it of that gave a little blood to make it possible for people to be able to participate in the democratic process. Host we are talking about the life and legacy of congressman john lewis. We want to hear from you this morning. If you are in the eastern or central time zones, we want you to call 202 7488000. If you are in the mountain or pacific time zones, we went to hear from you at 202 7488001. You can always text us your opinions at 202 7488003. Twitterlways reading on facebook atnd on facebook. Com cspan. Lets take a look at whatever looknal media followers at what our social media followers are saying. Here is one statue we can erect rather than take down. John lewis played a key role in the Civil Rights Movement. Rip mr. Lewis. And by the way, today is also Nelson Mandela day. Another, rest in power after eight life well lived. First Elijah Cummings and now john lewis. We have to make sure their fights are not forgotten. Lets go back to our phone lines. Colling from elias philadelphia, pennsylvania. Good morning. Caller good morning. My condolences to the lewis family. Know we havene to to keep this fight going. He was a champion for everybody. Thank you. Year, i hadr this the pleasure of attending an event at the library of congress, where an exhibit to parks was opened. Had anjohn lewis opportunity to speak about rosa parks and her legacy. Here is. Here it is. [video clip] opportunity tohe meet with rosa parks and to talk with her. Kind,s so wonderful, so and she kept saying to each one of us, you can do something. She inspired us to participate in sit ins. To study the way of peace, the way of love. You. , i want to thank i want to thank you for what you are doing. To help educate and sensitize generation, to stand up, to be brave, to be bold, to be courageous, and if you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, do something. We cannot afford to be quiet. We have time to save our democracy, save our planet. We must do what rosa parks did. In, it comes time to sit sit down, do it. Stand up, stand up. Speak up, speak up. In goodmes time to get trouble, necessary trouble, do it. Courageous. Ld, we will beagain, bringing you reaction from people from around the country about the passing of congressman john lewis. Lets go to the body in which he served, congress. Here is what Senate Majority leader Mitch Mcconnell had to say. Congressman lewis brought that same spirit of service to the capital. Withid not need to agree john on policy details to be awed by his life, admire his dedication to his neighbors, or appreciate his bearing. I will never forget joining hands with john as members of congress saying, we shall overcome, in a 2008 ceremony honoring his friend Martin Luther king. It would not have been more humbling could not have been more humbling to consider what he had suffered and sacrificed. Dr. King said the ark of the moral universe bins toward of the morale arc universe bends towards justice. Great men like john lewis took it upon themselves to bend it. America will never forget this hero. We want to know what you think about john lewis, his life and legacy. Lets go to laura from hampton, georgia. Good morning. Caller good morning. Mike and tolans is go out to john lewiss family my condolences go out to john lewiss family. As a kid growing up in atlanta, i remember my mom had these guys come in through the house, raising money. I remember them patting me on , you are telling me young but you will have to fight. When does the things i do want to say. Atlanta has transformed into a megacity from those beginnings. People, you must vote. Atlanta was a city that work and yound you come here are enjoying the fruits of john all the restian, of the guys that were civilrights people, and you will not vote. You have to vote. This is what john lewis left us. Whatever you do, go register to vote. I have never seen so many people come here and will not punch a piece of paper, but you want to enjoy the fruits of hard work. Thank you. Lets talk to Kayla Colling from concord, california. Calling from concord, california. Person,as a young dealing with black lives matter, and knowing that someone in the Civil Rights Era has just passed, we need to remember it is not just discrimination that is happening to one particular group but that we are fighting for everybody, and i want that legacy to be heard. I hope everyone takes a moment of silence for him today. Host lets go back to social they are see what saying about the passing of john lewis. That says rest well, cp vivian and john lewis,. E fight will continue meeting john lewis was on my bucket list. He was a fearless advocate. Missed. You will be we are talking about the passing of john lewis, his life and legacy. Keep in mind you can always call us and talk about the legacy and what john lewis meant to you. Remember, if you are in the eastern or central time zones, your phone number is 202 7488000. Zones,n and pacific time 202 7488001. You can text us your opinion at 202 7488003. And you can always reach us on atial media, on twitter cspanwj, and on facebook at facebook. Com cspan. I will read from the Washington Post obit on john lewis. John r lewis, a civil rights leader who preached nonviolence while enduring beatings, and later spent more than three decades in congress, has died. In death was announced statements from his family and House Speaker nancy pelosi. Advisors to senior Democratic Leaders confirmed he died, but other details were not immediately available. Announced his diagnosis of cancer in february and plan to keep working. i have been in some kind of fight for my entire life,he said. Cameast public appearance on aack lives matter plaza sunday morning in june, two days after taping a virtual town hall online with barack obama. Lewis was not a policy maven is a lawmaker, he served as the role of conscience it on the role of conscience on many matters. When friends of george h. W. Bush vetoed a bill ending requirements to bring employment discrimination suits, mr. Lewis rally support for the survival. It became law as the Civil Rights Act of 1991. He won authorization for the construction of the National Museum of African American history and culture on the mall. When representative paul broun proposed eliminating funding for certain aspects of the Voting Rights act, mr. Lewis denounced it as shameful. Onra and interference russian interference in the election, mr. Lewis called it mr. Gitimate, and boycotted trumps inauguration. To our phone lines and talk to mike, who is calling from akron, ohio. Caller good morning. In reference to the loss of a good leader, that is part of life. I have seen pandemonium. I have seen people fighting for their lives in reference to their innocence. Society there was unrest. To have a civilrights leader like this is part of nature and it is something we have to contend with, but his works will live on. Thatsee an internal work people need to focus in on. The cancer he was contending with. The people of our country that have been subject to chemical abuse through the legal system needs to be rendered and governed down dramatically because there is too much of a turnout of disease in that area, not just with chemicals but what we use on our society on a daily basis. I will leave it real simple like that. Our Heart Foundation is an haitian is our our Heart Foundation as a nations hospital research, which is rocksolid. Withelf have contended civilrights Rights Violations with people locally. They have faltered to the ground in reference to their ability to disrupt our civil rights. I just wish you the best. That is all i pretty much had to say. If theres anything you want to ask me, go right ahead, but god bless you. Host lets look ahead at some of our social media followers and see what they are saying about the life and times of john lewis. Lets go back to twitter. There is a tweet that says, if there is a heaven, john lewis is there. You do not have to disagree agree with someone politically to respect them. Thank you for your service. Ifher post from facebook, not now, when . Peace. Is, rest in from facebook, a great and honorable man has passed. Vote. We want to know what you think about representative john lewis. We are opening up our lines on a regional basis. If you are in the eastern or central time zones, we want to hear from you at 202 7488000. If you are in the mountain and pacific time zones, your number will be 202 7488001. You can text us at 202 7488003. And we are always reading on social media. On twitter, cspan wj. And on facebook, facebook. Com cspan. John lewis one of the last living speakers at the 1963 march on washington. As we will see from a story in the Washington Post today, there was controversy over what john lewis was actually going to say. I will read a little bit of that story to you. It was the biggest moment of john lewiss life. The activist would take the podium at the Lincoln Memorial and speak to hundreds of thousands of people gathered on the mall, but lewis was not savoring the moment. Tucked in a security guards office, he was in an argument bayardilip randolph, rustin, and the reverend Martin Luther king jr. He pleaded, i waited my whole life or this opportunity. Please do not ruin it. The young man had a decision to make. The issue that had started before the march, almost as soon as luis had arrived in washington, where all the organizers were staying. As chairman of the student nonviolent cord and committee, lewis would speak on the behalf of the group. When the organizers of the group saw copies of another speakers address, they make copies of lewiss speech and put it on the same table. He described what happened soon afterward in his book, walking with the wind. As he returned to his hotel find ai was surprised to handwritten note that had been flipped under the door. Downstairs,n, come from rustin. Lewis was told somebody delivered a copy of his speech to patrick oboyle. Theyle was so horrified by inflammatory tone of my words, he contacted the white house. Then oboyle called rustin and said he would have nothing to do with this event if lewis was allowed to give the speak. Lewis called patients dirty patience a dirty and nasty word. Lewis agreed to remove the word. Rustin cryptically told lewis now. Ould be. Enough for we want to know what you think about the life and at times of representative john lewis. Lewis died on friday at age 80. Lets go back to our phone lines. Been from springfield, massachusetts, good morning. Caller good morning. I am pleased to speak on behalf of the legacy of john lewis. I marched with lewis on many, many activities. I was at the march on washington when john spoke. I was one of the organizers from northeastern in massachusetts for the march on washington, and brought a group of people to washington to participate in that march, but i do not know if america will ever really understand the real significance of john lewis in context. He was last member one of the last speakers to be alive on friday. He lived longer than the other speakers that spoke at the 1963. On washington in he has been active over the years, all those years since then. Selma, 1965, i wrote daily to john and others from selma to ontgomery for the hearing against some of the segregationists who had tried to stop the march on washington their devious means on washington through devious means. Honorable and noble human being. He did whatever he could to change america. On the lives of most of us who are still alive today. Again, he was a real living hero, one of my heroes. I am about six years older than he. Had been involved in the movement from the northeast. I am originally from mississippi, by the way. Boy, but idlymall relocated myi early life to massachusetts. It is hard for people who were not down in the south in the 60s to really understand what it took to be a civil rights worker in the south during those times that john lewis was down there. Can you describe for us what it was like in the south, in the 60s, during the time john lewis was working there . Caller you could probably say his life was at risk 24 hours a day at that time. When he first started. He was young when he first started out. Early 60s, i believe it was about 1960. But the opposition against the movement was vicious. They did not mind shooting. They did not mind killing you. In fact, at one point when they killed a black person, even if it was admitted, he was not arrested. And he went through that as a young man. He must have been arrested about 45 times. Wherearrested no near. And the federal Court Hearing in montgomery, we rode in the car, but you could not ride on the regular highway. You would be assaulted or attacked. You almost had to take the trip in secrecy. You only had certain places where you could stop. During that trip, one stop montgomery nd selma and montgomery at that time. If you are active in the Civil Rights Movement, there was an effort to intimidate anyone involved. , someone was killed right at the end of the selma march. Was beaten up and died from his injuries during that march. There were a number of people but ite injured, shot, as no picnic, by no means, lot of people came and john was one of those heroes. Honor andhim great respect. Youre heard you talk about early life in mississippi. My early life was in mississippi also. Just had to take a chance. You knew that you might not live, but that was the nature of the beast. You tried to make the world a different place. And i think to a large degree we did. People in mississippi vote now. People run for governor, for congress, black people in mississippi, and hold all kinds of offices. That is the result of people like george lee, the reverend mr. Courts, a number of people who were really active in the movement in mississippi and it made the whole state change. Host lets go to donna who is calling from falls church, virginia. Good morning. All, rest in of peace to congressman john lewis. I was up this morning so i got the notification on my phone. I was like, oh wow. John lewis has passed away. I will make my comments short. I grew up in washington, d. C. In 1959. When the Civil Rights Movement war, aing place, vietnam lot of national events, i was growing up. About Martin Luther king dying. I did not know what was happening, but i remember my stepfather coming home and putting a sign on our window saying we were a black family. And i do remember the killing of robert kennedy. Older, i started to read up on things as far as movement il rates rights movement. I watched many documentaries. It is interesting to me how the issue of black lives matter, you i do notblows my mind, understand why people do not get it. No one said that all lives did not matter. What are you tripping on . No one ever said that. This is about a group of people disrespected so and put on a level of being subhuman. It blows myine, mind that this country measured a black person by a certain percentage of what they had in their blood. Are you kidding mez in this country are you kidding me . In this country . I did not ask to be born here. I was born here. Time, theny point in person who is just speaking, said you could get killed at one point in time in this country for your civilrights. Are you kidding . For your civilrights . It is mind blowing. But, you know, it is like that thing, it is a trip. And these. Citizen things happen. Andi am a black female there were blacks back in the day that could be killed if they were just walking down the street. I live in virginia. To understand these things is mind blowing. Here we are now. And i do not know what that felt like. For someone like john lewis to be witness to these things, that he could be beaten. Could you imagine someone being beaten with a stick, not a stick, but a bat . Someone actually beating . And to live and to tell the experience, or to watch other people be killed lately. Just blatantly. Like a 14yearold child taken out of his relatives home by two grown men, a 14yearold kid, and beating him, shooting in a river. Him host lets go to bob calling from baltimore, maryland. Good morning. Never first of all, i had the opportunity to meet this great man, but i did spend some time with Elijah Cummings. If this world had more it woulds and lewises, be a great world. I am a white man. I never had experienced any kind of racism until i joined the army and was sent to fort rucker, alabama for basic training. That is when i first ran into racism. It was totally unacceptable to me that when we think about how god only put two people on this earth, so we all have to be related, how on earth can we treat our own relatives the way the blacks have been treated in this country . I am ashamed of some of the people i have to be associated with, who do not recognize what john lewis and Elijah Cummings stood for. Diepe, i hope that before i that i come to the realization, or some other people come to the realization, that they are anti they were ever to enter the holy gaetz. So i pray for those bigots. In my family, we have racial divides. I have the most beautiful granddaughter who is i was with her one day and a fellow said to me, is she mixed . And i said, yes. She is 50 love and a 50 affection and i do not want anybody to say anything different about her. Host here are some comments we have gotten from former president barack obama on john lewiss passing. Inerica is a constant work progress. What gives each generation purpose is to carry up the last, and work of the to imagine a better world. John lewis, one of the original ders,om writers ri leader of the march from selma to montgomery, member of congress, not only assumed that responsibility, he made it his lifes work. He risked his life and his blood so this country might live up to its promise. He not only gave all of himself to the cause of freedom and justice, but inspired generations that follow to live up to his example. John lewis didgs continually say after his work in the Civil Rights Movement was that he would forgive people. Here is a story coming from the atlanta constitution journal that talks about how john lewis felt about apologies. For johnot uncommon lewis to find apologies in his mail. It came from the children and grandchildren of people who fought in the 1960s against him and other civilrights activists, and even those who remained on the sidelines. The atlanta democrat would get them in person too as he crisscrossed the south. One of the most memorable came late in his career. In 2009, former ku klux klan confessedilson to being part of the mob that bloody lewis and another freedom rider. Wilson asked for forgiveness. I lookedesitation, back at him and said, i accept your apology, lewis wrote. Informed by his christian up careening upbringing, shaped by philosophers like gandhi and byrough, and honed mentors like Martin Luther king jr. Bitternesshe felt no toward the people who hurt, arrested, and jailed him. His adherence to nonviolence sometimes through criticism from his peers, who argued his methods were insufficient for erasing the countrys deep inequalities. The alternative to reaching out is to allow the gaps between us to grow, and this is something we cannot afford to do, lewis wrote in his memoir walking with the wind. Lets go back to our phone lines. Lets start with gerald colling from richardson, texas. Good morning. I tuned in a little late. If i am repeating someone else i would love to see more statues of our black heroes of the Civil Rights Movement. More than that, i remember recently seeing a thing on tv about the civil war and ulysses grant. There was an episode where grant an armorynd armory back in kentucky and he took his army around to fight a couple battles. He left it guarded by less than 1000 escaped and freed slaves who wanted to be part of the union army. By themory was attacked s, and these slaves were far outnumbered. They were soldiers by that time, heroes. Extremelyt an valiant battle and saved the armory. That would be my first choice for a statue, but i would have john lewis right next to it. I loved him for many years and read about him for many years. He and a lot of other wonderful people we have lost this past year were part of the Civil Rights Movement. I think it is time for more statues, honor than the right way. Host lets go to robert calling from florida. Good morning. Caller good morning. I am a 77yearold white republican conservative. I do not think that society knows the impact that this man had on our society, this guy showing us the dignity and the love we should have between one another. So i did the north, not see any racism, i did not think, until i went in the military. How the years, i see really much racism was in our society. Sadjohn lewis, i am very that this man passed. He was such a dignified and he man, who brought did it with dignity. That is the only way i can say it. Thank you for listening. Host lets go back to social media one more time before the end of the hour. Most powerfulhe nonviolent tool we have, quoting john lewis. Sad he is gone. Another, alabama has a bridge to rename. Lets see if we can get more calls in. We will start with ray calling from lakota, new york. Good morning. Caller good morning. Thank you for having me on. It is emotional for me. 70yearold white man that met john lewis years ago. We were walking with him and protesting the vietnam war. This man is beyond reproach. He had a lot of good things to offer this country and did. We need to follow his lead in changing this. In the white is house that does not deserve to aere that is a big it bigot. Foughtwis fight the these people for his entire life. Im going to miss this man. I cannot hold back the tears. I appreciate it. Thank you for your time. Host we will read a couple more statements to you. This comes from the Congressional Black Caucus, which john lewis was a member of. The world has lost a legend. The Civil Rights Movement has lost an icon. Atlanta has lost one of its most fearless leaders. And the Congressional Black Caucus has lost our longest serving member. John lewis was the conscience of our caucus. A fighter for justice until the end, mr. Lewis recently visited the black lives matter plaza in washington, d. C. He encouraged a new generation of activists to speak up, get out speak out, and continue getting in trouble. John lewis spent his life fighting racism and injustice wherever he could confront it, from boycotts, to congress. Alabama,ised in troy, a segregated town in the deep south. Inspired by Martin Luther king, junior and the bus boycott. Earl from nashville, georgia. Good morning. Caller yes. Just the spirit of what i am listening to. It just sends chills down my back. I am a veteran myself. I have experienced some of the stuff like that. I understand that love overtakes hate. , to loven understand is to overtake hate. Host one more caller. Derek from maryland. Caller good morning. Another wakeup call to let people know. I was born in 19 people do not understand what we have done not just for black people but for minorities. The person i remember most that i met was Thurgood Marshall and he inspired me. You would be surprised how many people do not know who he is. Withpeople that i grew up and admired, and this guy will be missed, but it brings back that scenario of how black washington journal continues. Are goingre back, we to continue our conversation ofut the life and times congressmen and civil rights leader, john lewis, who died on friday at age 80. We want to know what you think about john lewiss contributions to american society. If youre from the eastern and central time zone we want to hear from you at 202 7488000. If youre from the mountain and pacific time zones we want to hear from you at 202 7488001. And you can always text us your thoughts about john lewis at 202 7488003. On we are always reading social media on twitter and facebook. Once again, congressman john lewis will always be remembered for his work on the Civil Rights Movement, and his marches through the south, including a,
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