Civil rights activist, politician, and trailblazer John Lewis passed away on July 17th at the age of 80 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Lewis was born into a family of sharecroppers and became a symbol for the Civil Rights movement. He walked with Martin Luther King Jr. and spoke at The March On Washington and in 1986, Lewis was elected to Congress, where he fought for civil rights and human freedoms until the moment of his death.
In a statement, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced Lewis' passing. In the statement, Pelosi expressed how beloved Lewis was:
"In the Congress, John Lewis was revered and beloved on both sides of the aisle and both sides of the Capitol. All of us were humbled to call Congressman Lewis a colleague, and are heartbroken by his passing. May his memory be an inspiration that moves us all to, in the face of injustice, make 'good trouble, necessary trouble.'"
Celebs React To The Tragic Passing
Rest in Power, Mr. John Lewis! 🕊❤️ pic.twitter.com/QqqSkrBHMg
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) July 19, 2020
Rest. In. Paradise John Lewis. #CivilRightsICON✊🏾 THANK YOU!! 🙏🏾— LeBron James (@LeBron James) 1595046476
Last week when there were false rumors of Congressman John Lewis’ passing, Gayle and I called and were able to spea… https://t.co/lRXXMAx1Xr— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah Winfrey) 1595088058
I cherish the memory of being a fellow keynoter with Congressman John Lewis at the annual Asian American Journalists Association conference last August in Atlanta. A towering figure for civil rights, and a voice we will miss greatly. Rest in Power, sir. pic.twitter.com/W3eeJZGM76
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 18, 2020
Thank you for your care and kindness, your advice and understanding. Will never forget what you taught me and what… https://t.co/Y9YQdmVJ7V— Ava DuVernay (@Ava DuVernay) 1595045257
This is the man that taught us all how to get into some #GoodTrouble. One of my heroes. A true legend. Thank you for teaching us how to fight for liberty & justice for all mankind. This photo was taken at the @HRC Dinner in DC 2016 right before the world blew up. RIP #JohnLewis pic.twitter.com/8BPFqCb5eA
— Billy Porter (@theebillyporter) July 18, 2020
#JohnLewis May you rest in power king 👑 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/qdkhWRnDsG
— Mj Rodriguez (@MjRodriguez7) July 18, 2020
It is heartbreaking to have such titans stripped from us when we need their voices the most. Thank you John Lewis for your selfless and beautiful life. You will never be forgotten. #RIPJohnLewis — civil rights icon and longtime congressman, dies https://t.co/cjkcGxx3LS
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) July 18, 2020
So much love, honor and respect for John Lewis. Although we never met, I’ve always admired your courage. Rest In Peace Mr. Lewis. We got it from here... pic.twitter.com/jVrjHLKH1p
— Ice Cube (@icecube) July 18, 2020
Rest In Peace John Lewis.
— Florida Man (@WWEBigE) July 20, 2020
Rest In Peace C.T. Vivian. pic.twitter.com/24LYnS8oGg
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