Atlanta, GA – Rep. John Lewis, the Civil Rights legend who spent decades fighting for freedom, both as a Freedom Rider and as a member of the U.S. Congress, died on Friday (July 17). He was 80.
Lewis was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer in December 2019 and had served as a Congressman for the state of Georgia since 1986.
His legacy was not lost on the generation that came after him as hundreds mourned him on social media. Men and women such as Diddy, Pharrell, Questlove, Ava DuVernay, Snoop Dogg, Jaime Foxx, T.I., Killer Mike, Jermaine Dupri and more gave their tributes to Lewis, recognizing his tireless work as a civil rights activist, Congressman and fearless fighter in the name of freedom.
“To make it hard, to make it difficult almost impossible for people to cast a vote is not in keeping with the democratic process,” Questlove wrote. “Don’t give up the fight. Rest In Power to John Lewis. Thank you for your service.”
View this post on Instagram“To make it hard, to make it difficult almost impossible for people to cast a vote is not in keeping with the democratic process” Don’t give up the fight. Rest In Power to John Lewis. Thank you for your service.
“There will never be another one like you… We could only hope to be as Brave and as fearless as you,” Foxx wrote. “rest in POWER!”
Diddy echoed Foxx’s sentiments. “We will finish what you started ON GOD! #GoodTrouble”
View this post on InstagramFor all that you have seen… for all that you have fought for… for all that you have endured… There will never be another one like you… We could only hope to be as Brave and as fearless as you …rest in POWER! @repjohnlewis
View this post on InstagramThank you King John Lewis for your lifetime of service for our community. We will finish what you started ON GOD! #GoodTrouble
Lewis was no stranger to connecting to Hip Hop. In 2008, he made an appearance in Jeezy‘s video for “My President,” on the heels of Barack Obama’s historic run to the White House.
Dubbed “The Conscience of Congress,” Lewis was the son of sharecroppers and more than a half-century following his own battles in the Civil Rights movement, he hailed the global demonstrations taking place in the wake of the death of George Floyd in May.
“It was very moving, very moving to see hundreds of thousands of people from all over America and around the world take to the streets — to speak up, to speak out, to get into what I call ‘good trouble,’” Lewis told “CBS This Morning” in June.
View more of the tributes to the late Congressman and legend below.
View this post on InstagramRest In Peace. Rest in Power. You are an American Hero. Thank you for being a giant. ?? #goodtrouble
View this post on InstagramThank You Rep. John Lewis !!!! Definition of a True American. A Man who Fought for Freedom. True definition of Brave & Brilliance!!!
View this post on InstagramRIP @repjohnlewis ✊???
View this post on Instagram@repjohnlewis Thank U. ??? ✊?? #JobWellDone #RestUpOG
View this post on InstagramTo say that we lost a GIANT would be an understatement. The personification of resilience and a true LEADER all the way through! We must keep the legacy of our forefathers vibrant by continuing the necessary work they put down for us! REST IN POWER REP. JOHN LEWIS!!!!
View this post on InstagramYou were a revolution. All by yourself. It’s as if you were born with a look of defiance on your face. God knew you were destined to be a freedom fighter. Thank you for doing what they never thought you could… survive. I’m so glad you got the chance to live a full life. You saw the world change before your very eyes. You watched the same cities burn to the ground more than once. You watched heroes die too soon. But you never stopped marching. You never stopped leading. You never stopped being optimistic about the future. Thank you for teaching us that sometimes reaching across the aisle is necessary. Thank you for showing us what forgiveness looks like. Thank you for reminding us that sometimes trouble can be good. Thank you for showing us how it’s done. #RIPJohnLewis
View this post on InstagramNot many of us get to live to see our own legacy play out in such a meaningful, remarkable way. John Lewis did. And thanks to him, we now all have our marching orders—to keep believing in the possibility of remaking this country we love until it lives up to its full promise.
View this post on InstagramAmerican hero John Lewis speaking about the struggle for voting rights. They marched and were brutally beaten and jailed. So they marched again and again. The voting rights act was soon signed into law in 1965 because of these actions. Watch now as these rights are being dismantled. The fight continues! R.I.P. JOHN LEWIS??✊???
View this post on InstagramRest well. King ????
View this post on Instagram“Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.” ?? John Lewis ??
View this post on InstagramIcon. #JohnLewis Peaceful Journey.
View this post on Instagram“Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.”✊???
View this post on InstagramCan't Thank you enough for your service King!!! We salute you with Honor & Respect!!! Enjoy your peace ☮️ Love‼️
View this post on InstagramRip King John Lewis??????thank you Sir for all you did
View this post on InstagramMy heart aches. Rep. John Lewis spent his life fighting for our rights. I’m so grateful that I had the chance to thank him in person. Rest peacefully, sir. My condolences to his loved ones. ??????? #GoodTrouble