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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSupport swells for renaming Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma to honor John Lewis after his death
In the wake of Rep. John Lewis's (D-Ga.) death, social media users are renewing a call to rename the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., after the civil rights icon instead of the Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan leader.
Lewis died on Friday at the age of 80, more than five decades after he almost lost his life while crossing the bridge during the 1965 "Bloody Sunday" march.
Social media users took to Twitter to honor the longtime congressman, again calling for the bridge to be renamed in his memory.
"There's a bridge [that] needs a new name," former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara wrote, a call echoed by anti-Trump super PAC The Lincoln Project.
Link to tweet
?s=20
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/support-swells-for-renaming-edmund-pettus-bridge-in-selma-to-honor-john-lewis-after-his-death/ar-BB16U9Ox?li=BBnb7Kz
Cracklin Charlie
(12,904 posts)Im not so sure. Maybe let local officials decide.
Edit: Pettus-Lewis Bridge has a ring to it.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)Because if youre not this is the dumbest suggestion ever.
Cracklin Charlie
(12,904 posts)I thought I had seen this mentioned several years ago.
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)The Edmund Pettus Bridge symbolizes both who we once were, and who we have become today. The name reflects the fact that this bridge was built in the cradle of the old Confederacy and that Edmund Pettus was a very significant man of his era--Confederate general, U.S. Senator---and yes, a member of the Klu Klux Klan.
Renaming the Bridge will never erase its history. Instead of hiding our history behind a new name we must embrace it --the good and the bad. The historical context of the Edmund Pettus Bridge makes the events of 1965 even more profound. The irony is that a bridge named after a man who inflamed racial hatred is now known worldwide as a symbol of equality and justice. It is biblical--what was meant for evil, God uses for good.
crickets
(25,983 posts)marybourg
(12,634 posts)when a name does. It just continues to unfold. The bridge needs a new name..
lunatica
(53,410 posts)and return all those Southern great generals to their pedestals, and while were at it lets bring back the Southern flag. Its all part of our history right?
Ex Lurker
(3,816 posts)No matter how deserving he might be. Just doesn't work that way.