Getty Rep. John Lewis (D-GA)
Congressman John Lewis is recovering after being rushed to the hospital Saturday, July 28. He was flying to Atlanta and became sick on the plane. Local Atlanta TV station WSB-TV reported that Lewis had been expected at an event in Atlanta Saturday night but never arrived.
Rep. John Lewis’ office released a statement reassuring constituents that the congressman is recovering. The statement read,
“Rep. John Lewis is in the hospital tonight for routine observation. He’s resting comfortably and expects to be released tomorrow.”
Rep. John Lewis is a Democrat and represents Georgia’s fifth district. He has been serving in Congress since 1987 and is the dean of the Georgia congressional delegation. Lewis is 78 years old.
Fellow lawmakers from both sides of the aisle offered well-wishes to Rep. Lewis. Rep. Eric Swalwell of California wrote, “Wishing my friend (and inspiration), @repjohnlewis a speedy recovery. #GoodTrouble”
Wishing my friend (and inspiration), @repjohnlewis a speedy recovery. #GoodTrouble
Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina wrote, “Praying for @repjohnlewis tonight. Thankful the early reports say he’s recovering”
Praying for @repjohnlewis tonight. Thankful the early reports say he’s recovering.
Rep. John Lewis Was a Leader in the Civil Rights Movement and Marched Alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Getty(FILES) US clergyman and civil rights leader Martin Luther King (3rd R) and other major American leaders of the Black civil rights movement (L from R) John Lewis, Whitney Young, Philip Randolph, Martin Luther King, James Farmer and Roy Wilkins, meet 06 March 1963 in Roosevelt Hotel in New York during a meeting dedicated to the organization of the “March on Washington”, held 28 August 1963 to promote civil rights for Afro-Americans. Martin Luther King was assassinated 04 April 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. James Earl Ray confessed to shooting King and was sentenced to 99 years in prison. King’s killing sent shock waves through American society at the time, and is still regarded as a landmark event in recent US history.
Rep. John Lewis is celebrated for his role in the civil rights movement. Born in Alabama, Lewis said he was inspired to get involved by listening to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s radio broadcasts. According to his congressional biography, Lewis began his activist role as a college student at Fisk University in Nashville. He organized sit-ins at segregated lunch counters.
57 years ago today I was released from Mississippi State Penitentiary, better known as Parchman, after being arrested in the Jackson, MS bus station for using a so-called “white” restroom during the Freedom Rides. #goodtrouble
In 1961, Lewis joined the ranks of the Freedom Riders. Participants sat in areas designated for white people at interstate bis terminals across the South. The Freedom Riders were subject to arrests and beatings. Lewis was no exception. As he noted in a recent tweet, Rep. Lewis was arrested in Jackson, Mississippi in 1961. He had used a white restroom during the Freedom Rides and was taken to the Mississippi State Penitentiary.
By 1963, John Lewis had become known as one of the Big Six leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. He helped plan and organize the March on Washington. He was the youngest person to speak at the historic event. “We all recognize the fact that if any radical social, political and economic changes are to take place in our society, the people, the masses, must bring them about.”
50 years ago today, I learned the painful news that my friend, my mentor, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had been assassinated in Memphis, TN. He was my brother, my leader–that day it felt like something died in all of us.
Rep. John Lewis Has Called Trump’s Presidency Illegitimate and Called Trump a Racist
Here outside U.S. Customs & Border Protection with @RepSchakowsky, @RepJudyChu, @repjohnlewis, @RepGutierrez, @repjoecrowley, @RepEspaillat, @RepAlGreen, @popdemoc & faith leaders to send a message to @realDonaldTrump:
End your #FamilySeparation policies!
Stop the deportations!
Rep. John Lewis has been a leading voice of dissent against the policies of the Trump administration. He strongly condemned the policy of separating illegal immigrates from their children at the border, calling the practice “cruel,” “inhumane” and “not in keeping with the moral values of our nation. It is simply un-American.” In June, he joined other Democrats in sitting outside the offices of Customs and Border Patrol, demanding that the families be reunited.
In January, Rep. John Lewis expressed his outrage after President Trump referred to African nations and Haiti as “sh*thole countries.” The president had said that the United States should have more immigrants from places like Norway. The comments were made during an Oval Office meeting. Illinois Democratic senator Dick Durbin confirmed the remarks.
In response, Rep. John Lewis said in an interview with ABC that he believes President Trump is racist. He said, “As a nation and as a people we’ve come so far. We’ve made so much progress… I think this man, this president, is taking us back to another place.”
Rep. John Lewis was also one of many Democrats who decided to skip President Trump’s inauguration. In an interview on NBC’s “Meet The Press,” Rep. Lewis argued that he did not view Donald Trump as a legitimately elected president. ““I think the Russians participated in helping this man get elected. And they helped destroy the candidacy of Hillary Clinton.”