John Lewis Statue Replaces Confederate Monument in Georgia

A 12-foot bronze statue of the late civil rights leader John Lewis was installed in Decatur, Georgia, on the site of a Confederate monument that stood for over 110 years before its removal in 2020. Created by sculptor Basil Watson, the statue symbolizes a significant change in the community, as Lewis, who encouraged engagement in 'good trouble,' takes the place of a monument that had become a focal point for protests against racial injustice. The Confederate obelisk, erected in 1908, was dismantled after public pressure and legal action deemed it a public nuisance, especially following the George Floyd protests in 2020. Groups such as the Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights had long advocated for the Confederate monument's removal, citing its association with racial oppression. The statue will be officially unveiled on August 24, further cementing Lewis's legacy in the fight for civil rights. His passing in 2020 followed a distinguished career in Congress, where he served as a prominent voice for social justice.