John Lewis, Friend of Freedom

Written by board director Naka Nathaniel

John Lewis was a legitimate super hero and his super power was his ability to cause good trouble and inspire his fellow Americans.

The Freedom Park Conservancy is deeply saddened to have lost Rep. Lewis, but we are so very proud to be part of his legacy. Rep. Lewis fought with the Intown neighborhoods to defeat the highway and helped create Freedom Park.

Freedom Park has tried to honor his leadership and valor on behalf of his fellow citizens.

In 1997, Thornton Dial, his fellow Alabaman, created “The Bridge” to honor “congressman John Lewis ‘ lifelong quest for civil and human rights” and the community’s “valiant efforts to stop the road and preserve Intown neighborhoods.” The sculpture is located in the John Lewis Plaza on the corner of Freedom Parkway and Ponce de Leon. Sidewalk art honoring his role as Freedom Rider in 1961 is nearby.

In August 2018, the road was renamed John Lewis Freedom Parkway. At the ceremony, he reminded us: “We want people to learn from the city of Atlanta, learn that we are one people, we are one family. We all live in the same house: the American house, the world house. It doesn’t matter whether we are black or white, Latino, Asian American or Native American. We will not give up on each other. We will not become bitter and divided.”

As we mourn his passing, we are glad to know that his courage will continue to live on in the hearts of those he has inspired to do the right thing.