PITTSBURGH — Community leaders, politicians, sports figures and organizations are mourning the death of US Rep. and civil rights icon John Lewis.
>>>RELATED: US Rep. John Lewis, iconic civil rights leader, dead at 80
US Rep. Mike Doyle:
We’ve lost a real American hero. John Lewis was a champion for civil rights, a dedicated public servant, and a kind and generous individual. Rest In Peace, my friend. Yours was a life well lived.
— Mike Doyle (@USRepMikeDoyle) July 18, 2020
Mayor Bill Peduto:
Rest in Power. pic.twitter.com/wg0Ys1Xsog
— bill peduto (@billpeduto) July 18, 2020
Allegheny Co. Executive Rich Fitzgerald:
“I am saddened to learn of the death of a true national hero, Congressman John Lewis. As a Civil Rights icon, Congressman Lewis came to Pittsburgh a few years ago with Congressman Mike Doyle and inspired so many of us with his powerful speech at Ebenezer Baptist Church. His work for decades was an inspiration to us all and he will be sorely missed.”
Andrew McCutchen:
Thank you for your courage, your sacrifice and your leadership. Rest In Paradise #JohnLewis May we continue to honor your legacy and be a voice for the voiceless. pic.twitter.com/cpXHbaVssH
— andrew mccutchen (@TheCUTCH22) July 18, 2020
Pennsylvania NAACP President Kenneth Huston
“I think to myself, I have to do more. We in the civil rights movement have to do more. We have to reconcile our country in ways that we as a people come together and realize human rights is civil rights and civil rights is human rights.”
CEO of Vibrant Pittsburgh Sabrina Saunders Mosby:
Sabrina Saunders Mosby said the loss of someone like Rep. John Lewis, who strove for a fair and diverse workforce, hits home.
“We are committed to this work, and his life and legacy certainly points to the work that has been done, and the path that has been laid. We’ve got a lot more work that we need to do moving forward, and we’re committed to that work and committed to supporting his legacy.”
Mosby said the Georgia congressman’s examples of nonviolent activism, despite being arrested 40 times and physically attacked and injured, made him a leading advocate for the rights of minorities. Lewis, Mosby said, showed us all how to send a message.
“What’s important is that we stay the course and that we communicate the message, which is that together we can make change in our region and our country. And that all of the challenges we face we can only improve upon and change too.”
While actions like the defacing of this Black Lives Matter symbol downtown are something that warrant anger, Mosby said the solution is never found through violence.
“We should be having conversations in our communities and in our neighborhoods, and not just at work but at the places and spaces we live as well. It’s going to take all of us to make change,” Mosby said.
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