Congressman Cohen Mourns the Passing of James Lawson
Giant of the Civil Rights movement showed the promise on non-violent resistance
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today learned of the passing of Civil Rights visionary leader James Lawson and made the following statement:
“James Lawson was a giant of the Civil Rights movement and was an integral part of Memphis Civil Rights history as one of the key figures planning the Sanitation Workers Strike ‘I AM A MAN’ campaign. He showed the promise of non-violent resistance to injustice to thousands through his ministry, including leaders such as Diane Nash, C.T. Vivian and John Lewis. Studying Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent movement, he later worked and marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“I have been working with other Members in Congress over the last few years to introduce legislation to award Reverend Lawson with the Congressional Gold Medal.
“May his memory be a blessing to all who knew or knew of him.”
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