Mayor Bowser celebrates legacy of legendary civil rights leader John Lewis

By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.comD.C. leaders gathered at the John A. Wilson Building on the evening of July 17 to celebrate the John Lewis National Day of Commemoration and Action. Lewis, who died on July 17, 2020, was well known for his persistent work as an American civil rights leader and legislator.D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) keeps the memory of John Lewis alive by participating in events on July 17, the National Day of Commemoration and Action in honor of the civil rights leader. Photo credit: AP Photo/Evan Vucci“We have to be careful that we don’t lose the history. We know that there is a systematic attempt to erase the history,” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), during the live-streamed ceremony. “We have to make sure that our children, our new activists, our voting educators are reminding everyone of the remarkable life of John Lewis.”Lewis was largely known for leading the Selma March in 1965 on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala. The significant event of the civil rights movement was abruptly ended by police violence, which included tear gassing and assaulting unarmed marchers with billy clubs.& “At 23, he became the youngest speaker at the March on Washington....