This is my painting of John Lewis. He was a gentle giant of our moral compass, who encouraged everyone to stand up and cause some “good trouble.” He’s standing in front of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, named after a racist 19th century man who was the leader on the KKK.

John Lewis, at age 25 in 1965, led a peaceful march of around 600 from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. At the very beginning of the March, they had to cross the bridge you see in the painting. While crossing, they were met by state troopers on horseback. The troopers charged the marchers beating them with clubs, batons, and rifle buts. Lewis was beaten nearly to death with a cracked skull and concussion. He tried to get up, but was beaten again.

This day was known as Bloody Sunday. But it led to the passage of The Voting Rights Act of 1965. Lewis continued marching becoming a companion of Martin Luther King, Jr. He was elected to the U.S Congress and represented Atlanta for 36 years. He was beloved by all. House Majority Whip James Clyburn has offered legislation to rename the House-passed voting rights bill after John Lewis. Note that I’ve renamed the bridge—John Lewis Bridge—which hopefully will happen in the near future.