John Lewis' nephew remember his uncle as his hero.
The six days of memorial services honoring Congressman John Lewis began Saturday in Troy, Alabama, near his birthplace.
Lewis' final visit to Selma before his death included an inspiring message to hundreds on the Edmund Pettus Bridge during the 55th annual remembrance of Bloody Sunday in the city. Lewis, wearing a dark blue suit with a navy tie, laid in the dark mahogany casket, his hands clasped one over the other. And the Troy mayor noticing a small, telling moment for Alabama and the country. Jackson Reeves recalled a moment when he noticed Alabama state troopers escorting Lewis' body into Troy. This is the same organization that was empowered to beat him and others senseless on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965. Now they are protecting him and honoring him as we honor Lewis as a country. That is the change Lewis fought for.The ceremony has ended, about 10:55 a.m.
The Lewis children were the son of the sharecroppers in Pike County, Alabama. John Lewis fought to gain access to public systems in Troy, the county seat, that was strictly segregated when he was growing up.Lewis' nephew, Jackson Lewis Brewster, in a cute moment, spoke for about 45 seconds on the stage to honor him. It was a small and sweet, unplanned moment. He wasn't listed on the ceremony's program.When he was done, he jumped off the stage, drawing chuckles from the crowd.
Sampson got up at 4 a.m. Saturday to leave Atlanta an hour later to see Rep. John Lewis one last time, in the arena she played basketball at her alma mater.
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