A statue honoring civil rights hero and US Congressman John Lewis is set to be unveiled this Saturday in Decatur Square, just outside of Atlanta. The statue, created by renowned Jamaican sculptor Basil Watson, stands 12 feet tall atop a granite pedestal and depicts Lewis with his hands over his heart, symbolizing his love for others.
John Lewis, a prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement, was known for his lifelong dedication to social issues and equality. He was one of the original Freedom Riders and a key figure in organizing the historic March on Washington where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
In 1965, Lewis was brutally beaten by police during the first Selma to Montgomery march, an event that became known as “Bloody Sunday.” Despite facing violence and adversity, Lewis continued his fight for civil rights and served as a US representative for Georgia’s 5th Congressional District from 1987 until his passing in 2020.
The unveiling of the John Lewis Memorial comes as a replacement for a 30-foot Confederate obelisk that had stood in Decatur Square for over a century. The removal of the Confederate monument in 2020 was met with cheers from the community, as it was seen as a symbol of division and hatred.
DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond expressed pride in the removal of the Confederate monument, stating that it will be replaced by a monument honoring a man who brought people of all colors together. The John Lewis Memorial now stands as a symbol of peace and progress in Decatur Square, commemorating the legacy of a true American hero.
