Georgia replaces Confederate monument with bronze statue of Rep. John Lewis

On Friday, a bronze statue honoring the late Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) was unveiled on the grounds of the Dekalb County Courthouse, an important location where a Confederate monument was removed in 2020. This marks a significant shift in the symbolism associated with the space.

The imposing 12-foot-tall statue was created by internationally renowned sculptor Basil Watson, who expressed his excitement at the statue’s installation ahead of the official unveiling set for August 24. He indicated that the statue not only represents John Lewis but also signifies a profound change for the city.

John Lewis, who served Georgia in the U.S. Congress for over three decades, rose to national fame during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. His famous exhortation for people to engage in “good trouble” highlights his commitment to activism. Lewis led the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) during crucial protests and was a trusted ally of the legendary Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.

His dedication to civil rights was exemplified during the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, where he was brutally beaten while advocating for voting rights alongside other activists. Lewis passed away in 2020 due to complications from pancreatic cancer, and he was honored by being laid in state in the U.S. Capitol, a testament to his significant contributions to civil rights.

The movement to remove the previous Confederate monument was led by groups like the Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights and Hate Free Decatur, which intensified following the 2017 white supremacist march in Charlottesville, Virginia. In their deliberations during 2021, these organizations expressed hope that a statue of a youthful John Lewis would grace Decatur Square, honoring the role of youth in the struggle against the Confederate monument.

The former Confederate statue became a focal point for protests during the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, particularly following the police killing of George Floyd. The city of Decatur took decisive action to seek a court order for the statue’s removal after it was repeatedly vandalized and covered in graffiti. City officials cited concerns about public safety in their request.

In addition to the Dekalb County statue, another monument honoring Lewis has replaced that of Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens in the U.S. Capitol at the behest of Georgia. Stephens was notorious for his “Cornerstone Speech,” where he declared that slavery was central to the Confederacy’s foundation.

Each state in the U.S. is allowed to send two statues of notable citizens to be displayed in the Capitol, and Lewis’s inclusion follows a renewed focus on honoring his legacy.

In the broader landscape of U.S. politics, Democrats have emphasized commemorating John Lewis through the establishment of statues and monuments, alongside efforts to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. This legislation is seen as a critical priority for Democrats since the 2020 elections.

The proposed Voting Rights Act seeks to restore and recodify elements of the original legislation enacted after the Civil Rights Movement, which aimed at protecting voting access. Over the last decade, significant portions of that act have been invalidated by the Supreme Court, which has weakened protections against discrimination and reduced federal oversight of state voting regulations.

With the installation of the John Lewis statue, advocates for civil rights hope to inspire a new generation by honoring his legacy of fighting for equality and justice.