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What Would John Lewis Do?
A hero of the Civil Rights movement, he knew exactly how to fight back
John Robert Lewis needs no introduction.
He was an American icon who was proudly arrested more than 40 times for protesting segregation, Jim Crow laws, and overall oppression against marginalized communities.
First elected to Congress in 1986, he served 17 terms for the people of Atlanta, GA.
Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee from 1963 to 1966, helped organize the 1963 March on Washington, he had his skull fractured at Selma in 1965, and was still making Good Trouble in 2013 when he was arrested while protesting immigration reform.
So the question is this: What would John Lewis be doing right now?
The first key point is that it would be nonviolent. Lewis was adamantly against violence when protesting:
Before we went on any protest, whether it was sit-ins or the freedom rides or any march, we prepared ourselves, and we were disciplined. We were committed to the way of peace - the way of non-violence - the way of love - the way of life as the way of living.
Lewis believed love was key, not only as the inspiring reason why one should take action, but also when taking that action. A policy of rigid compassion, fueling activity against forces who use violence as oppression, breeds sympathy and opens new avenues. Lewis understood this and used it to his advantage on many occasions.
On Bloody Sunday in 1965, Lewis and his fellow protestors were confronted by state police, sheriff’s deputies, and locals on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Tear gas, bullwhips, and other blunt objects were used against the 600 people who were marching in rows of two, peaceably assembled to say, “We exist, and we won’t be cowed into surrendering.”
A week later, Lewis testified before Congress:
Lewis: . . . a State Trooper made announcement on a bullhorn or megaphone, and he said, “This march will not continue.”
Hall: What happened then; did the line stop?
Lewis: The line stopped at that time.
Hall: You stopped still?
Lewis: Yes, sir.
Hall: You didn’t advance any further?
Lewis: We stopped right then.
Hall: Then what happened?
Lewis: He said, “I am Major Cloud, and this is an unlawful assembly. This demonstration will not continue. You have been banned by the Governor. I am going to order you to disperse.” Mr. Williams said, “Mr. Major, I would like to have a word, can we have a word?” And he said, “No, I will give you two minutes to leave.” And again Mr. Williams said, “Can I have a word?” He said, “There will be no word.” And about a minute or more Major Cloud ordered the Troopers to advance, and at that time the State Troopers took their position, I guess, and they moved forward with their clubs up over their—near their shoulder, the top part of the body; they came rushing in, knocking us down and pushing us.
Hall: And were you hit at that time?
Lewis: At that time I was hit and knocked down.
Hall: Where were you hit?Lewis: I was hit on my head right here.
Hall: What were you hit with?
Lewis: I was hit with a billy club, and I saw the State Trooper that hit me.
Hall: How many times were you hit?
Lewis: I was hit twice, once when I was lying down and was attempting to get up.
Hall: Do we understand you to say were hit . . . and then attempted to get up
and were hit—and was hit again.
Lewis: Right.
That testimony, and the testimony of others, let to President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act into law six months later.
Lewis’ commitment to compassion and resistance, even in the face of violent oppression, led to change.
John Lewis died in 2020 and he is not here today to lead us in person, but his methods still work. Showing compassion in the face of hate, putting a spotlight on oppression, and standing in the way of intimidation, despite the threat of violence, is how we win against those who would gladly harm us to keep us silent.
We must act.