John Lewis: Former presidents join tributes to civil rights icon

Former US presidents and foreign leaders have joined the tributes to civil rights icon John Lewis, who has died aged 80.

Lewis was one of the “Big Six” civil rights leaders, which included Martin Luther King Jr, and helped organise the historic 1963 March on Washington.

Barack Obama is among those who have praised Lewis’ legacy.

US presidential candidate Joe Biden, meanwhile, described Lewis as “truly one-of-a-kind, a moral compass”.

Mr Biden said he had spoken to the former congressman, who had been suffering from pancreatic cancer, in the days before his death.

“His voice still commanded respect and his laugh was still full of joy. Instead of answering our concerns for him, he asked about us. He asked us to stay focused on the work left undone to heal this nation.”

• Civil rights icon and congressman John Lewis dies
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“Not many of us get to live to see our own legacy play out in such a meaningful, remarkable way. John Lewis did,” President Barack Obama said. “And thanks to him, we now all have our marching orders — to keep believing in the possibility of remaking this country we love until it lives up to its full promise.”

His predecessor George W Bush said Lewis had “worked to make our country a more perfect union”, while Bill Clinton described him as “the conscience of the nation”.

Former US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton praised Lewis, whom she described as “the truest kind of Patriot”.

Martin Luther King III, the eldest son of the civil rights activist, told CNN: “From a historical standpoint, there are few who are able to become giants… John Lewis really became a giant through his examples that he set for all of us.”

Current US President Donald Trump, whom Lewis had publicly criticised, has not commented on his death so far, although flags were flown at half-mast on Saturday morning.

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany described Lewis as “an icon of the civil rights movement, and he leaves an enduring legacy that will never be forgotten”.

A number of foreign leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have also mourned Lewis’ death.