Social media salutes John Lewis as body crosses Selma bridge
John Lewis, the late Georgia congressman and monumental figure of the civil rights movement, was honored this weekend in multiple ceremonies across Alabama, the state where he was born, and where his body has now passed a final time over the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma.
His symbolic crossing over the rose-petaled span Sunday in a horse-drawn carriage was peaceful and solemn, and a stark contrast from 55 years ago when state troopers attacked Lewis and hundreds of other non-violent marchers with billy clubs and tear gas as they tried to cross the bridge for the right to vote.
Lewis nearly died from his injuries.
The brutal scene, which came to be known as Bloody Sunday, was televised and sparked national outrage ― but more importantly, the pivotal moment changed popular opinion of the time, much like George Floyd’s death has sparked increased calls for social change today.
On Sunday, Alabama state troopers joined the nation in saluting Lewis, and the outpouring of tributes on social media stretched far and wide. Many of those voices continued to call for the renewal of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
When I visited Uncle John a week before he died, I looked in his eyes and said, “Well done.”
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) July 26, 2020
I told him that I loved him and that we are going to continue to fight.
So I must mourn and move at the same time.#JohnLewis pic.twitter.com/DEpQss54a2
One final crossing over Edmund Pettus Bridge.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 26, 2020
An incredibly moving and fitting tribute for John Lewis, a man who carried the baton of justice until the very end. Over the next 100 days, let us pick up that baton and march on to the ballot box in his honor. https://t.co/mewzRp2uTz
No matter who you are or where you live - all Americans deserve to have their voices heard at the ballot box.
— Senator Gary Peters (@SenGaryPeters) July 26, 2020
The Senate must pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore voting rights & ensure Americans can exercise their constitutional right to vote. pic.twitter.com/5sAPyL6E2w
CNN’s @Bakari_Sellers to conservatives: “Keep John Lewis’ name out of your mouth.” Their “words ring hollow and they are empty. You cannot praise John Lewis in one hand and then be the leading cause of voter suppression and gutting the Voting Rights Act on the other hand.” pic.twitter.com/VxZFMwL4oS
— Brent Baker (@BrentHBaker) July 26, 2020
You got in the way.
— Canadian Forces in 🇺🇸 (@CAFinUS) July 26, 2020
You made noise.
You spoke up.
You spoke out.
We saw you then.
We see you now.
We still hear you, John Lewis.
pic.twitter.com/crOmCN4rpZ
Today we thank civil rights icon John Lewis who takes his final ride over Selma bridge. A man whose courage, dignity, and determination shows us all the importance of fighting for social justice. Rest In Power.
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 26, 2020
We celebrate the life of Congressman John Lewis, who passes through Alabama one last time today, including crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge on horse drawn carriage, where 55 years ago he and other voting rights advocates were beaten by Alabama State Troopers. pic.twitter.com/r6Hr2zxXht
— Southern Poverty Law Center (@splcenter) July 26, 2020
Hard to put into words the feeling of gratitude I had the first time I met @repjohnlewis. And the second time. The third time. Each time. Today I am reminded how we can never pay the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement back, the best we can do is to try to pay it forward 🙏🏾 https://t.co/Xhu9Sg3IOQ
— LZ Granderson (@LZGranderson) July 26, 2020
Wept through this. Heavy, gutteral tears. The impact he has had on all of us, on our lives... What a beautiful way to honor this immense man. I’m so grateful for the example you’ve left for all of us. RIP #JohnLewis ♥️ https://t.co/cE80cRYmwn
— Idara (@IdaraVictor) July 26, 2020
Cong. John Lewis made his final crossing over the Alabama River.
— Laurie Garrett (@Laurie_Garrett) July 26, 2020
America weeps, as the procession reaches the point where the civil rights 1965 voting rights march met a wall of police. Lewis nearly died that day. Honor him by vowing to vote, & to make sure ALL votes are counted. pic.twitter.com/py7PchqiJk
A nonviolent warrior crossing the bridge where he met physical force with soul force. Farewell, #JohnLewis. pic.twitter.com/hIppHpeWFU
— The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center (@TheKingCenter) July 26, 2020
When Alabama state troopers beat and bloodied him on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965, could a young John Lewis ever have imagined this day? That he’d live to be 80. That he’d be a lawmaker for decades. That his remains would cross the bridge again, this time lined with roses.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) July 26, 2020
To commemorate his life, my mother, a daughter of Selma Alabama, hangs a blue ribbon on our front door to honor the late great Rep. John Lewis. May this blue ribbon be a reminder to all who enter our house that we must respond to his call to action to get into some #goodtrouble. pic.twitter.com/DoSR2uJEA3
— Devita Davison (@DevitaDavison) July 26, 2020
Pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Restoration Act.
— Ben Jealous (@BenJealous) July 26, 2020
As John Lewis is laid to rest, during these troubled times, let us remember him through this quote from Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., which characterizes the hope John always believed in: "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."
— Duty To Warn 🔉 (@duty2warn) July 26, 2020
Such a dignified, simple, respectful, and moving ceremony for a great man. It is so beautiful. A fitting reminder of what is really important. #JohnLewis #GoodTrouble https://t.co/HswV7F3mEl
— Lucy P. Marcus (@lucymarcus) July 26, 2020
John Lewis was a GREAT MAN. The LEFT is IGNORING his wishes. Edmund Pettus Bridge, where he was savagely beaten, was named after a racist Ku Klux Klan leader. Did you know that John Lewis OPPOSED renaming the bridge? he spoke in favor of PRESERVING HISTORY, WORTS AND ALL. pic.twitter.com/vtqT725T8A
— Greg Kelly (@gregkellyusa) July 26, 2020
#JohnLewis has bequeathed us this nation.
— John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) July 26, 2020
May we be faithful servants of our better selves.
May we be steadfast in making the America that could be.
May we be worthy caretakers of the struggle.
May we be the very good troublemakers now.https://t.co/0kzOtqL5xA
Good man. Got into good trouble. What better things could be said of a life well lived? #RIPJohnLewis #Homegoing #JohnLewis pic.twitter.com/dh3e8134FU
— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) July 26, 2020
.@jbouie tells @margbrennan, “It is entirely appropriate to refer to John Lewis and other members of the civil rights movement as founding fathers, in the same way that we would consider Jefferson or Washington, or Frederick Douglass, Lincoln...” https://t.co/zf6ITtOhzw pic.twitter.com/HaNpm6RWeJ
— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 26, 2020
I was born and raised in Africa. I came to America at age 16. My dream was to become a doctor in the US. Congressman #JohnLewis is one reason my dream became a reality. Thank you sir for your fight. pic.twitter.com/wfs6FrUhLP
— Saju Mathew MD MPH (@drsajumathew) July 26, 2020
No words are deep enough to adequately thank John Lewis for his unrelenting march, through beatings, humiliations & imprisonments toward justice for all, for being the humble,clarion-clear ‘conscience of Congress’ and a moral voice for us, and for the ages. We shall overcome 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/es6mVuYFJw
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) July 26, 2020
Rep. Maxine Waters on legacy of John Lewis: “His image, his knowledge and understanding of what democracy is all about should be remembered by everybody because of the work that he has done.” https://t.co/8ke3or2JMJ
— All In with Chris Hayes (@allinwithchris) July 26, 2020
"Release all bitterness. Hold only love, only peace in your heart, knowing that the battle of good to overcome evil is already won. Choose confrontation wisely, but when it is your time don't be afraid to stand up, speak up, and speak out against injustice."
— Rep. Val Demings (@RepValDemings) July 25, 2020
-John Lewis pic.twitter.com/H35dLIKqUE
Rose petals line Congressman #JohnLewis’ final path across the Edmund Pettus bridge. pic.twitter.com/nTITTKThLJ
— Blayne Alexander (@ReporterBlayne) July 26, 2020
Please wherever you are whatever you are doing, STOP for just a moment and give pause, a great human being is passing over the beginning location of his ultimate legacy. Take a moment to honor #RepJohnLewis #JohnLewis #BLM #JohnLewisBridge https://t.co/xHFVZVoGUx
— Ariaa Jaeger (@AriaaJaeger) July 26, 2020
I'm watching the caisson being prepared to take John Lewis across 'the bridge' one last time, with tears streaming down my face. Suddenly, I’m once again 10 years old, watching a caisson carrying JFKs body, again, with tears streaming down my face. #ProfilesInCourage
— 8 ohms of #resistance (@DavidGLarrabee1) July 26, 2020
If you celebrate #JohnLewis, then you have work to do. We have the curriculum for you. It’s time to work. #PreparedToVote https://t.co/mP4SfZcbjD
— Sherrilyn Ifill (@Sifill_LDF) July 26, 2020
As John Lewis makes his final journey across Edmund Pettus bridge, we're 100 days away from the election. We must work to get out the vote, fight suppression & disinformation, get states ready for voting amid COVID (states need federal funds ASAP).
— Vanita Gupta (@vanitaguptaCR) July 26, 2020
Every day we will do the work.
Watching @repjohnlewis final Pettus bridge crossing. Thinking about how many have stepped up to try to fill his shoes, and how little so many in authority have learned. Batons, dogs, tear gas, and indiscriminate arrests not how a just gov treats its citizens, then or now. pic.twitter.com/Vl3fqKEIW5
— Matt Koci (@kocilab) July 26, 2020
This picture of #JohnLewis crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge for the final time and being saluted is solemnly inspiring.
— 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 (@CornellWBrooks) July 26, 2020
My heart is full thinking that we marched in his very steps—and that we have more to do and farther to go in his name. pic.twitter.com/KDaY24UNBZ
About the Author
ArLuther Lee is a visual editor and occasionally covers national and world news for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from The University of Florida and has been a journalist for more than 25 years.
