Rep. John Lewis dies at 80 – some tributes to this Freedom Rider and champion for civil rights and equality

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A huge loss. John Lewis, who went from being the youngest leader of the 1963 March on Washington to a long-serving congressman from Georgia and icon of the civil rights movement, has died after battling pancreatic cancer. He was 80. As a leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Mr. Lewis was a committed participant in some of the key moments of the movement — an original Freedom Rider in 1961, a principal speaker at the March on Washington in 1963, one of those brutally clubbed during a 1965 march in Selma, Alabama. Through it all, he faced taunts, beatings and dozens of arrests. In 2011, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama. “If you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to do something about it.” John Lewis was a true American hero. Rest In Peace, sir. ????: @nymag #breakingnews #johnlewis #restinpeace #goodtrouble

A post shared by Katie Couric (@katiecouric) on Jul 17, 2020 at 8:47pm PDT

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Our country lost a warrior tonight. A warrior for justice and equality. He served his country with distinction, honor, and courage. He used his voice to help others. He was one of the good ones. #JohnLewis

A post shared by Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) on Jul 17, 2020 at 9:26pm PDT

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“When you see something that is not right, not just, not fair, you have a moral obligation to say something, do something.” @repjohnlewis was an American treasure, a Freedom Rider, and a civil rights and equality champion. There will never be another like him. His legacy will live forever. Rest in power, sir. #JohnLewis #restinpeace #goodtrouble

A post shared by Billie Jean King (@billiejeanking) on Jul 17, 2020 at 9:00pm PDT

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RIP civil rights legend @repjohnlewis . This man put himself in harm’s way for all of us. It was an honor meeting you and lobbying for the Every Child Deserves A Family Act to prevent discrimination in #fostercare and #adoption. We lost a hero today. The last thing he said to me was to always get in “good trouble”. He saw the dignity and godhood in every human being. We must honor his legacy by doing the same. #civilrights #legend #hero #blacklivesmatter #allblacklivesmatter #mlk #giant #icon #iconic #edmundpettusbridge #selma

A post shared by Alec Mapa (@alecmapa) on Jul 17, 2020 at 9:35pm PDT

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You were a revolution. All by yourself. Thank you for doing what they never thought you could… survive. I’m so glad you got the chance to live a full life. You saw the world change before your very eyes. You watched the same cities burn to the ground more than once. You never stopped marching. You never stopped leading. You never stopped being optimistic about the future. Thank you for showing us how it should be done. #RIPJohnLewis

A post shared by Lena Waithe (@lenawaithe) on Jul 17, 2020 at 10:56pm PDT