Decatur, GA – August 28, 2024
On Saturday, August 24, a very large crowd witnessed the Decatur Square unveiling of a new statue honoring civil rights legend John Robert Lewis. This monument, crafted by renowned artist Basil Watson, replaces the Confederate obelisk that was removed from the square in 2020.
Organizations such as the Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights and Hate Free Decatur had been advocating for the removal of the monument since the fatal 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
This monument was part of a broader national trend where such structures became focal points for demonstrations against police brutality and racial injustice, especially after George Floyd’s death in May of 2020 at the hands of Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin who now serving a twenty-one year prison sentence . Consequently, the city of Decatur requested a Georgia judge to mandate the monument’s removal, citing frequent vandalism and graffiti that had turned it into a public safety concern.
The new statue in Decatur Square is a tribute to John Lewis, the “Conscience of Congress,” celebrating his extraordinary journey and his lasting change in pursuing civil rights.
The statue pays tribute to Lewis’ enduring legacy of seeking “good trouble” and his lifelong dedication to freedom, justice, and equality. The unveiling ceremony was marked by speeches from prominent figures, including Georgia’s US Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock, Congresswoman Nikema Williams, civil rights activist Xernona Clayton, and Ambassador Andrew Young. Dr. Rashad Richey, an award-winning talk radio personality, was master of ceremony for the event.
The monument resulted from four years of planning by the John Lewis Commemorative Task Force, which conducted a global search to find the right artist. Watson’s design reflects Lewis’ significant role in the civil rights movement, symbolizing his profound impact on the pursuit of equality.
John Lewis, born to Alabama sharecroppers, faced the harsh realities of segregation in the Jim Crow South. Inspired by figures such as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr., he rose to prominence through his courageous activism. Notably, on Bloody Sunday, March 7, 1965, Lewis just twenty-five years old, played a pivotal role in the Selma to Montgomery marches, where he sustained a skull fracture during a brutal confrontation with law enforcement.
Despite these challenges, Lewis remained steadfast in his advocacy for civil rights, serving diligently in the U.S. Congress for Georgia’s 5th congressional district from 1987 until his death in 2020. His leadership extended beyond the Selma marches, encompassing participation in the Nashville sit-ins, the Freedom Rides, and the 1963 March on Washington. Lewis was a crucial figure in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and one of the historic march’s “Big Six” organizers.
Lewis’s legacy is a testament to his perseverance and unwavering commitment to justice. His humble beginnings did not hint at the global impact he would achieve, yet his efforts have inspired countless individuals to confront and overcome adversity. In recognition of his contributions, President Barack Obama, the first African American President, awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, signing a commemorative photo with the words: “Because of you, John. Barack Obama.”
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More video highlights from the unveiling.