John Lewis Statue Replaces Confederate Monument in Decatur, Georgia
A 12-foot bronze statue of civil rights icon John Lewis was unveiled in Decatur, Georgia, replacing a Confederate monument removed four years ago. The event marks a significant shift in public memorialization.
In a significant moment for Decatur, Georgia, a 12-foot (3.7-meter) bronze statue of John Lewis was unveiled on August 24, 2024, replacing a Confederate monument that stood in the same location for over a century. The event, attended by local residents, politicians, and civil rights leaders, symbolizes a shift in public memorialization and recognition of civil rights heroes.
John Lewis, born on February 21, 1940, in Troy, Alabama, was a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement and served as a Democratic congressman from Georgia for 17 terms. He passed away on July 17, 2020, after battling pancreatic cancer. Lewis was one of the "Big Six" leaders of the Civil Rights Movement and the youngest speaker at the historic March on Washington in 1963.
The new statue stands in Decatur's historic square, a location listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It replaces a 30-foot Confederate obelisk erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1908, which was removed in 2020 following years of controversy and protests.
The removal of the Confederate monument was part of a broader national movement addressing racial injustice, intensified by the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. Local groups such as the Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights and Hate Free Decatur had been advocating for its removal since the 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Decatur, founded in 1822 and named after naval hero Commodore Stephen Decatur, has a population of approximately 25,000. The city is known for its commitment to sustainability, earning the designation "Tree City USA," and hosts several annual events, including the Decatur Book Festival.
The unveiling of Lewis' statue reflects Decatur's evolving identity and commitment to honoring civil rights leaders. Lewis received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, recognizing his lifelong dedication to civil rights and public service.
"Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble."
This transformation of Decatur's public space from a Confederate monument to a tribute to a civil rights icon represents a significant step in acknowledging and celebrating the ongoing struggle for equality and justice in American society.
