Year after year, @repjohnlewis commemorated Bloody Sunday because he knew the importance of symbolism. He told and retold the story to remind people to remain vigilant, that the hard won gains of democracy over racism must be defended over and over.
That symbolism was on display yet again this morning on his final crossing of the Edmund Pettus Bridge. It was on display in March at his final appearance at this year’s Jubilee, in the midst of a primary and ahead of a general election in a racially polarized America.
Congressman Lewis and Rev. C.T. Vivian, who also died last Friday, were bound in life and death and fought until their last breath to protect hard won gains. They lived long enough to see both racial progress and backlash and were a constant and visible reminder of the stakes.
ICYMI, I wrote about Rev. Vivian and his legacy here: washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/…
There weren’t just rose petals lining Edmund Pettus Bridge today; there were people. Those same lines will likely return on Election Day. Each cycle, black voters in particular are used to @repjohnlewis reminding them of the sacrifice that made their participation possible.
For many of the voters I talk to, to pay tribute to John Lewis this year is to vote in his name. It is not just to participate in this democracy; it is to say thank you to the greatest generation for their service, for helping to perfect our union.
