For Immediate Release:
Monday, 7/20/20
For Information:
352 552-7540
Democratic Black Caucus of Florida President Lydia Hudson recognizes the recent deaths of two of our country’s greatest fighters for civil rights and equal and fair justice: U.S. Congressman John Lewis and Cordy Tindell “C. T.” Vivian.
Both legends of the state of Georgia, Congressman John Lewis was 80 years old and Minister C. T. Vivian was 95. President Hudson issued the following statement: “Friday, July 17th, 2020 was a sad day for the struggle for civil rights and equal and fair justice,” said a mournful President Hudson.
“The nation and the Black community have lost two glorious warriors. Congressman Lewis and Rev Vivian marched and protested with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and both were called home to glory within hours of each other.”
Dubbed “the conscience of the U.S. Congress”, Representative Lewis was serving his 17th term in Congress,” continued President Hudson
“A great orator with a sense of moral obligation, we could always count on Representative Lewis to keep it real. He publicly called Trump an “illegitimate president” before he even took office, citing Russian interference in the 2016 election.”
President Hudson said, “Rev. C.T. Vivian helped galvanize support for the struggle for civil rights after he organized a march in Selma, Alabama. He also registered Black people to vote, telling Sheriff Jim Clark, who blocked the group, “We will register to vote because as citizens of the United States we have a right to do it.” The images of Sheriff Clark beating Rev. Vivian until blood dropped off his chin was picked up by rolling cameras, and as we know today, it went viral"
Concluding, President Hudson stated, “President Barack Obama bestowed the President’s Medal of Freedom on Representative John Lewis in 2011 and Rev. C. T. Vivian in 2013. John Lewis and C. T. Vivian leave a legacy. They may be gone but their Spirits will help continue the fight for equal justice for all.”
The Democratic Black Caucus of Florida (DBCF)’s main purpose is to elect Democrats to the state’s legislature and support Democratic values and legislation that improves the lives of Floridians.
