Just around 2 p.m., the body of John Lewis was placed in the U.S. Capitol rotunda as one of the last public homages to the civil rights pioneer and fierce congressman.
Ceremonies and events have taken place in Atlanta, Selma, Alabama, and now the place where the venerable lawmaker spoke on policies that made an impact in Washington, D.C., and beyond. Lewis, who died at 80 on July 17, is the first Black person to lie in state in the Capitol’s rotunda. Rep. Elijah Cummings became the first Black lawmaker to lie in state at the Capitol after his death last year.
Several online onlookers have been tuned in leading into the ceremony honoring Lewis at the U.S. Capitol Monday afternoon. In an unusual occurrence, a serviceman slated to help carry the congressman’s casket into the rotunda Monday passed out after reportedly overheating. He was able to walk away with assistance to get care.
While most spectators were focused on each careful step in carrying Lewis’ body into the Capitol, others focused on the officials who were not present. President Donald Trump was not in attendance during the D.C. event honoring Lewis – nor was the president present during the previous events.
The president and the late congressman have long had a contentious relationship. In years past, Trump made disparaging comments about Lewis’ Atlanta district. When the president was elected, Lewis, a staunch supporter of opponent former Sen. Hillary Clinton, said it would be difficult to work with Trump as president.
“I don’t see this president-elect as a legitimate president,” he said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” in January 2017, suggesting Russia and others conspired to get Trump elected.
“I believe in forgiveness. I believe in trying to work with people,” Lewis said. But working with Trump, he added, is “going to be very difficult.”
The challenging relationship might explain why Trump did not attend the services.
Trump in recent days confirmed he didn’t plan to attend.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was the first person to speak during Monday’s event, which she said sought to “acknowledge his sacred life.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell also spoke at the event. He reminisced about Lewis’ upbringing in rural Pike County, Alabama. Lewis’ family was raised in a humble home with no running water or electricity.
“It would’ve been hard to conceive back then that the young child tending to his family’s chickens would be leading the movement to redeem America’s society,” McConnell said.
Despite the kind words spoken from McConnell about Lewis, some criticized his appearance and statements.
Some gave praise to invocation orator Grainger Browning Jr., the pastor of Ebenezer AME Church near Washington.
Pelosi spoke about her former colleague a second time during the event before she played audio of Lewis speaking about the significance of being willing to be entangled in “good trouble.” Several spectators sitting in the Capitol’s Rotunda listened with somber looks and some with tears welling in their eyes.
Emotions continued to stir as Florida pastor and Christian vocalist Wintley Phipps hummed and sang the lyrics to the legendary hymn “Amazing Grace.”
Some famous names, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), spoke about the plans that are in play to honor Lewis, including Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-South Carolina) reportedly planning to introduce a voting bill bearing Lewis’ name.
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