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John Lewis, Remembered
“Today, I come with a heavy heart, deeply concerned about the future of our democracy. And I’m not alone. People approach me everywhere I go, whether I’m traveling back and forth to — traveling back and forth from Atlanta or around our country. They believe that our country is descending into darkness. They never dreamed that the United States, once seen as a beacon of hope, and as an inspiration for people striving for equality and justice will be failing into such disgrace. I share their concerns for the future of our country. It keeps me up at night. We took an oath to protect this nation against all domestic enemies and foreign enemies. Sometimes, I am afraid to go to sleep and I will wake up and our democracy will be gone and never be returned. There comes a time when you have to be moved by the spirit of history to take action to protect and preserve the integrity of our nation. I believe, I truly believe, the time to begin impeachment proceedings against this president has come. To delay or to do otherwise would betray the foundation of our democracy.” — John Lewis, September 24, 2019, on the House of Representatives opening of Impeachment hearings against the current occupant*.
Mr. Lewis died last night at the age of 80 from pancreatic cancer. In a just, fair and well-educated society, which this country has never been, a John Lewis might never have been needed. But he was needed, 60 years ago…
