One of our nation’s legends of the Civil Rights Movement, who fought tirelessly for equality, civil rights, and justice for all, Representative John Lewis died July 17, 2020. Truly a sad, sad day in our nation’s history.
JOHN LEWIS BRIDGE PETITION
Michael Starr Hopkins is the founder of the ‘The John Lewis Bridge Project‘. Hopkins talked with MSNBC about his initiative to rename the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge after the Civil Rights leader. His project messaging for the petition states in part, ‘It’s far past time to rename the Edmund Pettus Bridge after Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights icon that nearly gave his life on that bridge’.
During the segment, one of the MSNBC correspondents inquired about the number of signatures the Petition had currently. Hopkins estimated approximately five hundred thousand or “half a million”. The correspondent suggested to Hopkins, his project will no doubt “double if not triple before the weekend is out.” As the nation mourns the man that gave so much of himself through civic deeds that benefited his fellow citizens and pushed for change through love and compassion, it would certainly be of no surprise that people would seek ways to honor his legacy.
JOHN LEWIS MARCH AT SELMA
John Lewis was one of the Civil Rights activists famously known for leading the march across Edmund Pettus Bridge March 7, 1965, from Selma Alabama to the state capital in Montgomery, advocating for Voting Rights and the end to racial injustices. Namely, the death of activist and deacon, Jimmie Lee Jackson February 26, 1965, who was shot and killed by state trooper James Bonard Fowler several days earlier during a peaceful march in nearby Marion, Alabama.
Bloody Sunday
This day went down in history as ‘Bloody Sunday’. A day Representative John Lewis and other peaceful protestors were beaten for the pursuit of their constitutional right to vote. It also gained national attention after being televised, garnering nationwide outcry and support for John Lewis and the other protesters, and the Civil Rights they were fighting to secure.
Find the Petition at John Lewis Bridge, along with the history of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the man it was named after, as presented by the Project, and more detail as to why the founder of ‘The John Lewis Bridge Project’, Michael Starr Hopkins is seeking a name change.
Whether it’s signing petitions or participating in a peaceful protest for change, ExpressYourselfBlog continues to provide information and opportunities for those who wish to get involved in civic deeds.
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Source: Wikipedia.com, JohnLewisBridge.com
