John Lewis In Indianapolis On MLK Legacy: “He Taught Us How To Live”

In Indianapolis today, Congressman John Lewis says it was difficult for him to return to the park where 50 years ago he heard Robert Kennedy tell the crowd about the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Georgia Rep. John Lewis in 2003 (Photo: Official Congressional Portrait)

Now a Georgia Congressman, Lewis spoke at the March on Washington, worked closely with King, and was a Kennedy campaign aide in 1968.  He says of King …

“He taught us how to live. He taught us how to stand up. To be brave, courageous and bold, and to never give up.”

Lewis says he hasn’t been back to the Indianapolis park since King’s death.  That night 50 years ago, Kennedy delivered a hand-written speech, making a call for peace and unity. Many say the speech helped prevent riots in the city.

Robert Kennedy campaigns for president at Ball State University on April 4, 1968, hours before giving an impromptu speech on King’s death in Indianapolis. (Photo: provided by Ball State University)

Kennedy’s daughter, Kerry, says she learned lessons like these from her father that mirrored the values he wanted the country to embrace.

“We must build a system of justice that enjoys the confidence of all sides, that peace is not just something to pray for, but something each of us has the responsibility to create.”

Yesterday, President Donald Trump signed a bill that gives the park’s Landmark for Peace Memorial – which depicts King and Kennedy reaching towards one another – status as a National Historic Site.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.