John Lewis Statue Replaces Confederate Monument

In Decatur, Georgia, a 12-foot-tall bronze statue of John Lewis was installed on Friday, replacing a Confederate monument that stood for over 110 years. That stone obelisk had been removed from the town square in 2020 amidst public chants of "Just drop it!" Sculptor Basil Watson, who crafted the 12-foot-fall statue of Lewis, said, "It's exciting to see it going up and exciting for the city because of what he represents and what it's replacing." Lewis, a prominent figure during the Civil Rights Movement, inspired many to engage in "good trouble."

The Confederate obelisk, erected in 1908 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, became a focal point during protests against police brutality and racial inequality, particularly after George Floyd's death. Decatur's leaders pushed for its removal due to its frequent vandalism and its perceived threat to public safety. The new statue honoring Lewis will be officially unveiled on August 24. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)