Urbanology

HARLEM COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS Harlem Pays Tribute to Congressman John Lewis

Earlier this week NY Political leaders met on Adam Clayton Powell Blvd between 125 th Street to 127 th Streets painted “Black

Lives Matter” to pay tribute to Congressman John Lewis.

Derrick Johnson, President and CEO NAACP was not at the Harlen tribute, however he made the following state ment:

“The NAACP family, and the entire nation mourn his passing with sorrow in our hearts, but a conviction in our knowledge that his legacy will live on for generations to come. Often called “one of the most Congressman Charles Rangel

NY Attorney General Letisha James

courageous persons the Civil Rights Movement ever pro duced,” John Lewis dedicated his life to protecting human rights, securing civil liberties, and building what he calls “The Beloved Community” in Ameri ca. By 1963, Lewis was dubbed one of the Big Six leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. At the age of 23, he was an archi tect and a keynote speaker at the historic March on Washing ton in August 1963. He went on to become a United States Congressman and had served as U.S. Representative of Geor gia’s Fifth Congressional District since 1986.

John Lewis is the recipient of numerous awards, including

Manh Boro President Gale Brewer

Assemblywoman Inez Dickens

Assmeblyman Al taylor NAACP NY President Hazel Dukes

the prestigious Martin Luther King, Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize. He received the NAACP Spingarn Medal in 2002 and the NAACP Chairman’s Award in 2020.

We are deeply saddened by his passing but profoundly grateful for his immense con tributions to justice. A national treasure and a civil rights legend for the ages, he used every wak ing moment of his 80 years to push this country toward more representative democracy and left behind a remarkable model. It is up to us to pick up his man tle and carry on, and we urge the entire nation to join us. As peo ple of all colors are in the streets seeking racial justice, we urge all that can to speak louder and stay a little longer to honor the best warrior for democracy our nation has ever known.

The NAACP extends our sincerest condolences to the family of Congressman Lewis and sends prayers of comfort and strength now and always. Photos by Nadezda Tavodova Tezgor.

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