The funeral for Georgia Congressman John Lewis in Atlanta will close a six-day celebration of his legacy in Georgia, Alabama and Washington, D.C.
The events are also marking important symbols and places from Lewis’ life, including the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma and the Martin Luther King Jr. historic sites on Atlanta’s Auburn Avenue.
Lewis will lie in state Wednesday in the Georgia State Capitol after remembrances in Alabama and the U.S. Capitol in Washington.
Here is a schedule of the memorial and funeral events for Lewis.
Many of the Celebration of Life ceremonies will be livestreamed, in part, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In light of the pandemic, the family encourages Congressman Lewis’s many supporters to organize John Lewis Virtual Love Events in their homes to watch the ceremonies,” read a statement from Lewis’ family. “They will be livestreamed on multiple platforms.”
»MORE: John Lewis funeral: How to celebrate the life of civil rights hero
Ceremonies will air on major networks, including ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CNN. More information will be added here once livestreaming information is available.
Here’s the schedule of events celebrating Lewis’ life:
Wednesday, July 29, Atlanta
Motorcade to the State Capitol beginning about 12:40 p.m. The hearse and motorcade will pass a number of Atlanta landmarks, including the Rainbow Crosswalk at 10th Street & Piedmont and the Martin Luther King Jr Historic District, including King’s birth home and the John Lewis mural.
Ceremony at the Georgia State Capitol Rotunda, 2 p.m. EDT. Lewis will lie in state 3-7 p.m. EDT Wednesday and 8:30-10 p.m. Wednesday. UPDATED
Visitors will enter through the Mitchell Street entrance at the Capitol, bring a government-issued ID, and wear a mask and have their temperature chedked at the door.
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity will hold a service 7-8 p.m. EDT Wednesday.
Masonic Last Rites 8 p.m., Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Georgia.
LIVE Updates from Washington and Atlanta from the AJC news staff
Thursday, July 30, Atlanta
The funeral for Congressman John Lewis, 11 a.m. EDT, Ebenezer Baptist Church Horizon Sanctuary. This event is not open to the public. Lewis will be buried at South-View Cemetery in Atlanta.
Among the dignitaries expected to attend are three former presidents, George Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. The AJC reported that Obama is expected to speak during the funeral.
The motorcade for Lewis will leave the Georgia State Capitol about 8 a.m. and travel to the church along Auburn Avenue. After the funeral, the motorcade will travel back toward the Capitol and pass Atlanta City Hall en route to South-View Cemetery on Jonesboro Road. The cemetery is about 4 miles southeast of Atlanta City Hall.
PREVIOUS EVENTS
Saturday, July 25, Troy and Selma
Service celebrating “The Boy from Troy,” 10 a.m. CDT, Trojan Arena, Troy University, Troy, Alabama. Afterward, Lewis will lie in repose from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT.
Selma honors Congressman John Lewis, 6 p.m. CDT, Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church, Selma, Alabama. Afterward, Lewis will lie in repose at the church 8-11 p.m. CDT.
Sunday, July 26, Selma and Montgomery
Procession crossing Edmund Pettus Bridge, 10 a.m. CDT, Selma, Ala. The public is invited to view the procession from Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church to the Edmund Pettus Bridge, site of the historic 1965 voting rights marches. Lewis was beaten by Alabama State Troopers on the bridge and nearly died during the first march on March 7, 1965, which came to be known as Bloody Sunday. The attack, shown on national television, was pivotal in the passage later that year of the Voting Rights Act.
Selma to Montgomery: After the bridge ceremony, Lewis’s casket will travel by hearse along Highway 80 to Montgomery. The route in Montgomery will pass the Rosa Parks Museum and Dexter Avenue Baptist Church before arriving at the Alabama State Capitol.
Ceremony at Alabama State Capitol, 2 p.m. CDT, Montgomery, Alabama. Afterward, Lewis will lie in state 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Central.
Monday and Tuesday, July 27-28, Washington
Ceremony at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, 1:30 p.m. EDT. Lewis’ casket will arrive at the Capitol by a motorcade and will be accompanied by family members. The motorcade will pass a number of Washington landmarks.
NOTE: Watch the replay of Monday’s public viewing at the U.S. Capitol here.
Lewis will lie in state at the top of the Capitol’s east front steps 6-10 p.m. EDT Monday and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT Tuesday. The viewing line will file past on the Capitol’s East Plaza, according to a news release from the offices of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The viewing line will begin at the corner of First and East Capitol streets N.E. Masks and social distancing are required.
Event times are subject to change. Updates and continuing coverage will be posted on ajc.com.
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