On Feb. 21, local leaders and artist Kenny Altidor celebrated the historic life of John Lewis on what would have been his 82nd birthday.
Commemorating both the late Congressman’s birthday and Black History Month, Community Advocate Monique Chandler-Waterman and artist Kenny Altidor hosted a neighborhood event Friday in front of a freshly painted mural on East 56th Street and Clarendon Road.
“Today, as we honor John Lewis, and his legacy I call on all of us here to roll up our sleeves to make a difference, Kenny has given us art, some of us run food pantries, host protests, volunteer at community centers or even join the PTA-we all have a role to play to uplift our community,” Chandler-Waterman said.
“We just wanted to do a special remembrance of all that he did, the voting rights, fighting against segregation, and his work as a freedom rider and Democrat leader pushing for reform. This should be visible to everyone and for everyone to know, with the gun violence, we wanted to make sure we echo that for his birthday.”Born on Feb. 21, 1940, in Troy, Alabama during the Jim Crow Laws, segregation, and rampant racism, Lewis became a staunch advocate for justice. Inspired by Dr.
“Civil Rights Movement, freedom of speech NYS, and our democratic leaders have been pushing for reforms and this should be visible to everyone,” Altidor said. While some progress was made with the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the Southern states proved to be difficult in this effort, so Lewis decided to lead a march with Hosea Williams from Selma to Montgomery on March 7, 1965—a day that became known as Bloody Sunday when state troopers beat the marchers as they walked across Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. His efforts are said to be the reason why the 1965 Voting Rights Act was expedited.
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Foundation named for late civil rights pioneer John LewisATLANTA (AP) — A foundation named for U.S. Rep. John Lewis and his wife has been established to further the work of the late civil rights pioneer. The John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation announced Monday - what would have been Lewis' 82nd birthday - its goal is to work toward “strengthening democracy through civic engagement” and to amplify the voices of rising generations.
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Foundation named for late civil rights pioneer John LewisThe John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation announced Monday—what would have been Rep. Lewis' 82nd birthday—its goal is to work toward “strengthening democracy through civic engagement” and to amplify the voices of rising generations.
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Foundation named for late civil rights pioneer John LewisA foundation named for U.S. Rep. John Lewis and his wife has been established to further the work of the late civil rights pioneer. The John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation announced Monday - what would have been Lewis' 82nd birthday - its goal is to work toward “strengthening democracy through civic engagement” and to amplify the voices of rising generations. Linda Earley Chastang, a former chief of staff to Lewis, will serve as the foundation's president.
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