DECATUR, Ga. — A 12-foot bronze statue of the late congressman John Lewis was unveiled in Decatur on Saturday, officially replacing a 110-year-old confederate monument.
The statue, which was crafted by sculptor Basil Watson, was installed last week in the same place where an obelisk honoring the confederacy was erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
The obelisk was lifted from its base and removed in June 2020 during the height of nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd, who was killed by Minneapolis police.
Lewis, a civil rights activist who worked with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and dedicated his life to social justice, died in 2020.
Dozens of people gathered to watch the unveiling, which including Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia) who spoke at the event.
“We have taken down a monument to the confederacy in our complicated American story, and we are erecting a living tribute to the beloved community,” Warnock told the crowd of spectators.
Watson told news station WANF in Atlanta he named the statue “Empathy,” which he said was Lewis’ strongest quality.
“Public sculpture should represent our values, and it’s a magnificent honor to be part of the recognition of the changing of our values as a country, as a nation” Watson told WANF.
More on the life and career of Rep. John Lewis and the new statue.
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