Constituents, lawmakers and citizens across the nation poured out their hearts to support Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) Sunday after the civil rights legend revealed that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
“I have been in some kind of fight ― for freedom, equality, basic human rights ― for nearly my entire life,” Lewis said in a statement. “I have never faced a fight quite like the one I have now.”
He vowed to fight again and remained hopeful — as did a legion of admirers.
Barack Obama hailed the congressman’s “incomparable will to fight. I know he’s got a lot more of that left in him,” before adding “Praying for you, my friend.”
If there’s one thing I love about @RepJohnLewis, it’s his incomparable will to fight. I know he’s got a lot more of that left in him. Praying for you, my friend.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 30, 2019
Sen Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said Lewis has “been up the rough side of the mountain many times before, and his battle with pancreatic cancer is no different. Our nation is praying for you, John.”
My friend John Lewis has gone up the rough side of the mountain many times before and his battle with pancreatic cancer is no different. Our nation is praying for you, John.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) December 30, 2019
If there’s “anyone with the strength and courage to fight this, it’s you, John,” tweeted former President Bill Clinton.
If there’s anyone with the strength and courage to fight this, it’s you, John. Hillary and I love you, and we join with millions of other Americans in praying for you and your family. https://t.co/gNVEu1dijU
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) December 29, 2019
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot called Lewis a “moral compass for our nation,” one that needs his “grace, grit and integrity ... now more than ever.”
From Selma to Capitol Hill, Rep. John Lewis has always been a moral compass for our nation. As he embarks on his next fight, Amy and I are praying for his health. Now more than ever, America needs John Lewis’ grace, grit and integrity. https://t.co/3hEPxf6ddy
— Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) December 30, 2019
Other reactions poured in from celebrities, politicians, media figures and more.
"I have been in some kind of fight- for freedom, equality, basic human rights- for nearly my entire life." I'm hoping with all my soul that civil-rights icon, conscience of our country & national treasure @repjohnlewis kicks cancer's ASS! 🙏 https://t.co/1Nb0Fc8Od6
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) December 30, 2019
John Lewis is one of the strongest people I know. He already beat Jim Crow and the Ku Klux Klan—cancer is next. Please join me in lifting him and his family in prayer. https://t.co/vuGnFwdnlV
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) December 30, 2019
My heart is with Rep. John Lewis and his family. He’s always been a fighter, and I know he'll continue making good trouble. Stay strong, John. https://t.co/2ffoL3KPx8
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) December 30, 2019
John Lewis is a living example of strength that America needs now more than ever. We will be pulling for him and praying for him and his family as he battles cancer with his characteristic grace and courage.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) December 29, 2019
News that congressman and civil rights hero John Lewis has cancer strikes hard. I’ve known John for over 50 years and he’s always been a fighter, undeterred.
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) December 29, 2019
John Lewis reminds me of something Doris Kearns Goodwin once said of Lincoln. He was a great man, but more importantly for his times, he was a good man. So too is John. pic.twitter.com/gWmN0orvrt
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) December 30, 2019
We love you John Lewis. You’re our North Star. https://t.co/O5xkdythsv
— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) December 29, 2019
John Lewis is a giant—an icon of the civil rights movement, a leader in Congress and one of the kindest people I know.
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) December 29, 2019
I’m praying for a speedy and full recovery. We need you making good trouble in the halls of Congress!
The @repjohnlewis, I know has been a fighter all his life and I know through it all the fight is just beginning! Americans and myself across the country will have John and his family in there prayers! We love you John, and will be there standing #Strong with you! #JohnLewis pic.twitter.com/u13odE8X27
— Sheila Jackson Lee (@JacksonLeeTX18) December 30, 2019
Prayers for Representative Lewis who led this country in the fight to acknowledge black people were entitled to voting rights & the same civil rights as all Americans. We need his leadership now more than ever. https://t.co/nRBd454jkM
— Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) December 29, 2019
Prayer 🙏🏼 couldn’t hurt right about now . . . https://t.co/8B2O1YW1Co
— Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) December 29, 2019
God bless the incomparable @repjohnlewis. You are the best of who we are. A grateful nation kneels in prayer for you & your family.
— Justin Fairfax (@LGJustinFairfax) December 30, 2019
This talk @RepCummings Homegoing was #SpiritualWealth personified. You continue to show us the courage to fight & win. We love you.#JohnLewis pic.twitter.com/nO5e6HVFi6
Dear Congressman.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019
You are loved.
You are respected.
You are magnificent.
Lifting you up in prayer, peace and the power of your ancestors this day.
May God continue to bless you in all the ways you’ve blessed us, sir.#GoodTrouble pic.twitter.com/vF0S9JN3pD
I think we must send as much love as we can in this man’s direction. Our world - a world he has worked tirelessly to make better - is so much brighter so long as he’s in it. Get well @repjohnlewis, you are one of the best angels of our nature. https://t.co/fZHZzUCYHF
— Ken Olin (@kenolin1) December 29, 2019
Oh, come on. Just at the time we need men of honor and integrity fighting for us. Here’s hoping Rep. Lewis can beat this. https://t.co/r2N215KYLW
— Steven Beschloss (@StevenBeschloss) December 30, 2019
I am praying for @repjohnlewis. He is my hero
— Patti Solis Doyle (@PattiSolisDoyle) December 30, 2019
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