John Lewis: The US civil rights icon dies at 80

US civil rights icon and Martin Luther King companion John Lewis is dead. Former US President Barack Obama mourns the loss of a great role model.

US civil rights icon and Martin Luther King companion John Lewis (1940-2020) died on Friday at the age of 80. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (80) confirmed the death of the long-time representative of the House of Representatives in a statement. "Today America mourns the loss of one of the greatest heroes in American history: Congressman John Lewis, the conscience of Congress," she writes about the "Titan of the Civil Rights Movement" from Alabama.

Barack Obama mourns the loss of a great role model

Among many others, former US President Barack Obama is mourning publicly for a great role model. In a long statement that he with a tweet points out, Obama writes:

"John Lewis – one of the first freedom fighters, chairman of the student non-violent coordination committee, the youngest speaker at the March on Washington (1963), leader of the Selma-to-Montgomery marches (1965), Congressman for 33 years as a representative of the people of Georgia – has not only assumed this responsibility, but made it his life's work, "writes Obama. The Selma-to-Montgomery marches were a political highlight of the civil rights activists, including Martin Luther King (1929-1968).

John Lewis loved this country so much, Obama continued, "that he risked his life and blood so that it could keep his promise." He campaigned for freedom and justice and was a role model for future generations.

John Lewis suffered from cancer

In late 2019, John Lewis announced that he had been diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer.

John Lewis was married to Lillian Miles from 1968 until her death on New Year's Eve 2012. They adopted John Miles Lewis, then two months old, in 1976.

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