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‘Celebration Of Life’ For John Lewis Includes Stops In D.C., Alabama, Atlanta

July 23rd, 2020

John Lewis, 80, who died last Friday, served 17 terms in the U.S. House.

Carolyn Kaster / Associated PRess File

The family of civil rights icon and congressman John Lewis released details Thursday of his “Celebration of Life,” which will take place over six days, beginning Saturday.

Lewis, 80, died last Friday, several months after he was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer. He served 17 terms in the U.S. House.

Accompanied by a military honor guard, stops will include Selma, Troy and Montgomery, Alabama; Washington, D.C.; and Atlanta, where Lewis’ funeral will take place Thursday at Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Lewis will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Thursday that the public will be allowed to pay their respects to the longtime Georgia congressman Monday night and all day Tuesday in Washington, D.C.

However, due to coronavirus precautions, Lewis will lie in state for public viewing at the top of the east front steps of the Capitol rather than in the Rotunda, and the public will file past on the East Plaza. Face masks will be required and social distancing will be enforced.

Lewis’ family has asked the public not to travel to Washington from across the country to pay their respects. Instead, they suggest people pay virtual tribute online using the hashtags #BelovedCommunity. The family also encourages supporters to organize John Lewis Virtual Love Events in their homes to watch the ceremonies, which will livestream on multiple platforms.

The public is also encouraged to tie a blue or purple ribbon on their front doors or in their front yards to commemorate Lewis’ life.

Celebration Of Life

‘The Boy from Troy’

Saturday
Troy and Selma, Alabama

A Service Celebrating ‘The Boy from Troy’
Trojan Arena, Troy University
10 to 11 a.m.
Open to the public as space permits. The family kindly asks attendees to wear face and
mouth coverings.

Congressman Lewis Lies in Repose
Trojan Arena, Troy University
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Open to the public. The family kindly asks attendees to wear face and mouth coverings.

Selma Salutes Congressman John Lewis
Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church
6 to 8 p.m.

Congressman Lewis Lies in Repose
Brown Chapel A.ME. Church
8 to 11 p.m.
Open to the public. The family kindly asks attendees to wear face and mouth coverings.

‘#Good Trouble: Courage, Sacrifice & the Long March for Freedom’

Sunday
Selma and Montgomery, Alabama

The Final Crossing
Edmund Pettus Bridge
10 a.m.
The public is invited to view the processional as it travels from Brown Chapel to the
Edmund Pettus Bridge. The family kindly asks attendees to wear face and mouth coverings.

Receiving Ceremony
Front Entrance Hall, Alabama State Capitol
2 p.m.

Congressman Lewis Lies in State
Alabama State Capitol
3 to 7 p.m.
Open to the public. The family kindly asks attendees to wear face and mouth coverings.

‘The Conscience of the Congress’

Washington, D.C.
Monday and Tuesday

Special Ceremony Proceeding the Lying in State
Rotunda, U.S. Capitol
2 to 3 p.m. Monday

Congressman Lewis Lies in State
U.S. Capitol
3 to 10 p.m Monday
Open to the public. The family kindly asks attendees to wear face
and mouth coverings.

Lying in State
U.S. Capitol
8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday
Open to the public. The family kindly asks attendees to wear face
and mouth coverings.

‘Atlanta’s Servant Leader’

Atlanta
Wednesday

Special Ceremony Proceeding the Lying in State
Rotunda, Georgia State Capitol
2 to 3 p.m.

Congressman Lewis Lies in State
Rotunda, Georgia State Capitol
3 to 7 p.m.; 8 p.m.to 8 a.m.
Open to the public. The family kindly asks attendees to wear face and mouth coverings.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Omega Service
7 to 8 p.m.