A powerful new symbol of civil rights and progress now stands in Decatur, Georgia, where a Confederate monument once loomed for over a century. On Friday, a 12-foot-tall bronze statue of the late civil rights leader and Congressman John Lewis was carefully installed in the town square, replacing the controversial monument that was dismantled in 2020.
Georgia replaces confederate monument with bronze statue of late Rep. John Lewis https://t.co/u5Dvo6H8f9
— Charles Ray (@charlieray45) August 17, 2024
The statue, crafted by internationally recognized sculptor Basil Watson, was placed at the exact spot where the Confederate obelisk once stood. Watson, who closely supervised the installation, expressed the significance of the moment. “It’s exciting to see it going up and exciting for the city because of what he represents and what it’s replacing,” he said.
John Lewis, renowned for his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement, famously urged people to get into “good trouble” for the sake of justice. His statue now stands in DeKalb County, where activists invoked his call for “good trouble” to demand the removal of the Confederate monument.
The Confederate obelisk, erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1908, was taken down in 2020 amid widespread protests following the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis. The monument had become a focal point for demonstrations against racial injustice, with protesters often vandalizing it with graffiti. The city of Decatur ultimately sought a court order to remove the obelisk, citing it as a public safety threat.
Bronze statue of Congressman John Lewis replaces more than 100-year-old Confederate monument https://t.co/3eReLNOen2
— Diane James (@DianeJamesMEP) August 17, 2024
The installation of Lewis’s statue marks a significant moment for Decatur, reflecting a shift from a symbol of division to one of unity and progress. The official unveiling of the statue is scheduled for August 24, a day that will celebrate the legacy of a man who dedicated his life to fighting for equality and justice.
Key Points:
i. A 12-foot-tall bronze statue of civil rights leader John Lewis has been installed in Decatur, Georgia, replacing a Confederate monument that stood for over 110 years.
ii. The statue was sculpted by internationally acclaimed artist Basil Watson and is located in the town square where the Confederate obelisk was removed in 2020.
iii. The removal of the Confederate monument was driven by protests against racial injustice, particularly after the 2017 Charlottesville rally and the death of George Floyd in 2020.
iv. Activist groups like the Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights and Hate Free Decatur played significant roles in advocating for the monument’s removal.
v. The statue of John Lewis, known for his advocacy for “good trouble,” will be officially unveiled on August 24.
Conner T – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News