Rep. Nikema Williams Speaks on the House Floor in Honor of Congressman John Lewis and the 5th Anniversary of his Passing

WASHINGTON D.C. – Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) joined her Congressional Black Caucus colleagues in honoring Congressman John Lewis and the 5th Anniversary of his passing with remarks on the House floor:

Remarks as prepared:

“Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Ours is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month or even a year. Ours is the struggle of a lifetime.” 

When Congressman John Lewis spoke these words, he was reminding us that justice work is much longer than a moment. It’s a commitment. A calling. A lifelong fight. 

Sixty years after he put his body on the line for our freedom, our struggle continues. We’re marching in our communities and fighting back in committee rooms. We do this to push back against cuts to Medicaid that would leave NICU babies without care. Cuts to SNAP that would take food out of the mouths of children and seniors. Cuts to education that would tell our students to dream smaller. 

We bring our full selves to this struggle in many ways. Through early mornings in community centers and late nights on the House floor. By standing up at the mic and showing up in the margins. Through town halls and negotiating in the halls of Congress. Through sitting in, standing firm, and speaking out.

Getting into ‘Good Trouble’ was never a one size fits all call to action–and we honor the legacy of Congressman Lewis when we find ALL ways to get in the way. 

Y’all, this moment is not the last struggle we will face. We fight anyway. With hope. With intention. With determination to achieve the beloved community. 

This is the struggle of a lifetime. The struggle of our lifetime. With urgency and clarity, we are still in it.”