‘Cemented his name in American history:’ John Lewis’ legacy celebrated in Kentucky

KENTUCKY ( FOX 56 ) — A man who cemented his name in American history, is still impacting Americans today.

“We all have this common goal of making sure voting rights are upheld and I really think that really honors the legacy of John Lewis’ life,” said Jennifer Jackson, president of the League of Women Voters in Kentucky.

An event held on Wednesday focused largely on how the civil rights leader and others who fought for voting rights.

“I learned more about Martin Luther King than I did John Lewis. Even though he marched with Martin Luther King, you didn’t hear as much about him,” said Lexington resident Wanda Davis.

Davis said she wanted to attend the event because she values exercising her right to vote, something she was unable to do in her younger days as civil rights were often denied.

“I think I might be about 15, 16, which was too young to get involved. I want to get involved even as early as that age, with all the marching, but my mother wouldn’t allow me,” said Davis.

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She said she wants to continue to educate herself on ways to spread justice and equity for all people and hopes the younger generation understands the importance of it.

The event packed out the theater as people watched a documentary entitled “John Lewis: Get in the Way” while enjoying good food. The event ended with a game of voting rights trivia.

“It’s not about an R behind your name, it’s not about a D behind your name, it’s all about who helps you,” said Marcus Jackson, the executive director of Advocates Based on Lived Experience.

Organizers said now that Lewis is gone, it’s important for others to follow in his footsteps and make sure people are educated about political candidates and are motivated to go to the polls.

“Wherever differences we have, whatever, I know that those differences are there and that gap is so large because we’re not talking to people,” said Jackson. “We’re no longer talking to our neighbors, you know, and it’s like we have to get back to that.”

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