Lewis joined King and four other civil rights leaders in organizing the 1963 March on Washington. A 23-year-old firebrand, Lewis toned down his intended remarks at the insistence of others, dropping a reference to a “scorched earth” march through the South and scaling back criticisms of President John Kennedy. John Lewis gave all he had to redeem America’s unmet promise of equality and justice for all,” President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton said in a statement following his death. Later, when the presidency of Donald Trump challenged his civil rights legacy, Lewis made no effort to hide his pain. If necessary, I’m prepared to go to jail.”In a speech the day of the House impeachment vote of Trump, Lewis explained the importance of that vote.

Source: The Standard July 18, 2020 04:30 UTC