NRDC President Gina McCarthy Statement on the Death of Civil Rights Leader John Lewis

WASHINGTON — On the death last night of Civil Rights leader John Lewis, NRDC President Gina McCarthy made the following statement:

“Through six decades, John Lewis led with vision, courage and moral certitude on the frontlines of the struggle for civil rights and human dignity. He pressed us, as a nation, to move beyond a history of racial oppression, reckon with our failings, and fulfill our promise by working for justice and equity.

“From the Freedom Riders to Black Lives Matter, John Lewis marched and never grew weary. In this, of all moments, his voice calls each of us to march on in his footsteps. And that’s what we will do.”

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NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.