This archive report was first published on 18 July 2020.
Barack Obama Mourns Death of Civil Rights Leader John Lewis ¶
Former US President Barack Obama expressed his condolences following the death of longtime Georgia lawmaker and civil rights activist John Lewis, who died at the age of 80 after being diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer on February 5, 2020.
According to Obama, Lewis risked his life and blood to ensure the United States lived up to its promise, earning him the President Medal of Freedom in 2011.
Obama and Lewis had a deep admiration for one another, despite Lewis' early endorsement of Hillary Clinton's Democratic primary campaign in 2008.
Before Obama's inauguration, Lewis expressed his uncertainty about controlling himself, a sentiment that Obama echoed in his statement, saying, 'Not many of us get to live to see our own legacy play out in such a meaningful, remarkable way. John Lewis did.'
Obama also praised Lewis for inspiring generations to fight for freedom and justice, adding, 'And thanks to him, we now all have our marching orders to keep believing in the possibility of remaking this country we love until it lives up to its full promise.'
Other notable figures, including George W Bush, Bill Clinton, and Hillary Clinton, also paid tribute to Lewis, describing him as a true patriot and the conscience of the nation.
However, a false report of Lewis' death spread on Twitter, prompting a spokesperson to confirm that Lewis was alive and resting comfortably at home.
Source: UGC, published on July 18, 2020.
