South Carolina leaders celebrate and mourn late Civil Rights icon Rep. John Lewis
U.S. Sen. Tim Scott remembered a time he traveled with the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis to Selma, Ala., and the Edmund Pettus Bridge on an anniversary of the infamous 1965 Civil Rights march that ended with Lewis and other demonstrators being beaten by police as they prayed.
Scott called the trip “one of the great honors” of his life.
South Carolina leaders are commemorating and mourning after the death of Lewis, a Civil Rights icon who represented Georgia for more than 30 years in the House of Representatives. He died late Friday night at 80 years old.
“His life and legacy will continue to serve as an example for the generations to come,” Scott said in a statement. “I am encouraged by his courage, determination, and perseverance, characteristics that we can all try to emulate – especially in the wake of current events.”
U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn released a video and statement remembering Lewis as a friend and “a hero” for the United States.
Clyburn celebrated his time with Lewis during the Civil Rights Movement, stating that Lewis “internalized nonviolence.”
“Many of us practiced it, but John lived it,” Clyburn said. “We never thought back then that we would be successful enough in the movement to both end up serving in Congress together. Yet, for almost 27 years we did, because he never lost faith.”
Lewis “was for everybody,” Clyburn said. “He was that kind of person. “
People from across the spectrum commemorated Lewis.
Gov. Henry McMaster ordered flags to fly at half-staff until sunset of July 18, following a proclamation from President Donald Trump to honor Lewis.
Gamecocks women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley said Lewis left “us all a life of legacy.”
“God you got a great one,” she wrote.
Republican U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman of Rock Hill called his late colleague “an icon on so many levels.”
“Georgia and our nation have been truly blessed by his life of service,” Norman said.
Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin recognized Lewis’ famous phrase “Good trouble,” which was how Lewis referred to his arrests during the Civil Rights Movement. The phrase has now become a rallying call for people following in Lewis’ footsteps.
Lewis was “An amazingly humble man,” Benjamin said. “He always stood as a giant in every room he shared with others.”
City Council Member Tameika Isaac Devine and former South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges memorialized Lewis’ stature in American life and politics.
Devine said Lewis was “fighting until his last day to help us live up to our promise of a fair and equal society for all.”
U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham, a Charleston Democrat, gave a heartfelt remembrance of Lewis and his legacy.
“I never imagined in a million years I would have the privilege to meet John Lewis, much less serve with him in Congress,” Cunningham said. “He was even more remarkable than you have heard and more humble than you can imagine. He was the conscience of our nation and the angel on our shoulder. When our country needed him the most, he was there. He was always there. Leading, teaching, loving, fighting. He taught us what it means to be American. It is rare for someone to truly live up to their legacy but John Lewis exceeded his.”
This story was originally published July 18, 2020 at 11:36 AM with the headline "South Carolina leaders celebrate and mourn late Civil Rights icon Rep. John Lewis."