“Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”

Rep. John Robert Lewis, longtime congressman, civil rights icon and one of the original thirteen Freedom Riders, passed away on Friday after a battle with stage IV pancreatic cancer. He was 80 years old. Known for his unwavering stance against systemic racism, Lewis fought fearlessly on the frontlines against the Jim Crow segregation laws, helped organize the 1963 March on Washington where Martin Luther King Jr gave his famous I Have A Dream speech and was one of it’s last surviving speakers.

Between 1960 and 1966, Lewis was arrested more than 40 times and had the infamous mugshots to prove it. With a smirk of pride spread across his face as he got into “good trouble,” he continued to fight for freedom despite being battled, bloodied, bruised and almost losing his life on a bridge in Selma, Alabama during the 1965 “Bloody Sunday” march that he led alongside fellow activist, Hosea Williams.

Lewis, son of sharecroppers, would not only imprint an indelible mark on the civil rights movement, but would later transmute his tenacity for freedom in politics. Coined as the “conscience of Congress,” the Democrat served as the U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 5th congressional district since 1986. As a respected and revered rebel against racism, many celebrities such as Viola Davis, Barack Obama, Ava Duvernay, and Nancy Pelosi are paying their respects to the fallen freedom fighter. 

 

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@RepJohnLewis was a titan of the civil rights movement whose goodness, faith and bravery transformed our nation. Every day of his life was dedicated to bringing freedom and justice to all. His memory moves us all to, in the face of injustice, make “good trouble, necessary trouble.” May it be a comfort to his son John-Miles & his entire family that so many mourn their loss at this sad time.

A post shared by Nancy Pelosi (@speakerpelosi) on Jul 17, 2020 at 8:59pm PDT

 

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The civil rights movement was based on faith. Many of us who were participants in this movement saw our involvement as an extension of our faith. We saw ourselves doing the work of the Almighty. Segregation and racial discrimination were not in keeping with our faith, so we had to do something.-John Lewis #RipJohnLewis 🙏🏾✊🏾❤️

A post shared by #PorshaWilliams (@porsha4real) on Jul 17, 2020 at 10:01pm PDT

 

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“When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something.” ~John Lewis ・・・ Rest in Heavenly peace Mr. John Lewis. Thank you for your service, for your committment to change and your courage. You did great with your time on this earth. “Goodnight sweet Prince. May flights of angels sing the to thy rest”. And….pour some blessings on us down here🙏🏿🙏🏿❤❤❤❤

A post shared by VIOLA DAVIS (@violadavis) on Jul 17, 2020 at 10:39pm PDT

What will the world be like without, John Lewis? What an icon. A giant among us. So grateful to have had any time with him. What warmth and wisdom he leaves behind for us. My goodness we will miss him so.

h/t, @lizcriolla. pic.twitter.com/t4HELfW7wz

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) July 18, 2020

 

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Not many of us get to live to see our own legacy play out in such a meaningful, remarkable way. John Lewis did. 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.

A post shared by Barack Obama (@barackobama) on Jul 17, 2020 at 11:48pm PDT

 

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My eyes are closed my friend, mentor, teacher, leader…..picturing your approach to the front Gates of Heaven. I’m envisioning your ever cool saunter….full of the utmost confidence: when a man feels he has pleased God. I can see you at 11….as you shared with me this being the age you found your good trouble. I can see the next 69 years….& EVERY ounce of love, time, patience, grit, passion, joy, pain, wisdom, hope, mercy, grace, belief, servitude, blood, sweat, tears, yourSELF you’d GIVE. Only asking in return for PEACE & EQUALITY & JUSTICE. My eyes are closed & i can smell the roses……God opening the doors & saying “My Warrior of a Son/SUN….You perfectly LIVED.” & i’d add: You did for ALL of US! I miss you already HERO. To be embraced & loved & respected by You King John & King Ali the way i was & always will be…….is THE Image Award, Oscar, Emmy, Golden Globe & Grammy ALL wrapped into ONE. You were & are THE ONE. #ALLroomsWereBetterWhenYouEntered #TheWorldLosTaMoses #HeavenGaineDaSaint #ResTinYourPower #YourFaceIsNextToTheDefinition

A post shared by Omari Hardwick (@omarihardwickofficial) on Jul 18, 2020 at 1:57pm PDT

Lewis passed away on the same day as fellow civil rights leader and freedom rides organizer, CT Vivian. He was 95 years old.

 

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From CT Vivian to Mr John Lewis it has been a very tough few days for the movement . The beauty is seeing their energies and efforts transfer into a new generation of activist who are willing to walk through hell to get us a slice of heaven. Thank you both for continuing the fight and shining your light. ✊🏾🙌🏾🙏🏾

A post shared by headkrack (@headkrack) on Jul 18, 2020 at 8:55am PDT

We send our deepest condolences to the lives and legacies of Rep. John Lewis and CT Vivian. May their lifelong work live on in the hearts of all.