(CHICAGO, IL, 7/18/2020) - The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group mourns the passing of civil rights icons Representative John Lewis and Reverend C.T. Vivian . Lewis passed away Friday, July 17th after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Rev. Vivian passed the same day.

Representative Lewis and Rev. Vivian were paragons of civil rights activism. Lewis was known for causing “good trouble;” he was a freedom rider when the movement polled a 61% disapproval rate. Vivian joined Lewis during freedom rides and sit-ins. Together they organized and spoke on behalf of Black folk all over the nation, motivating generations of activists from all backgrounds.They also helped lay the foundation for civil rights activism for other minority groups, informing the founding of CAIR-Chicago decades later. CAIR-Chicago, its mission, and its advocacy would be nonexistent without activists like Rep. Lewis and Rev. Vivian. To honor them and their legacies, CAIR-Chicago will keep fighting to ensure the rights of all are protected.

CAIR-Chicago is the Chicago Chapter of America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Our mission is to defend civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote tolerance. 

-END- 

CONTACT: CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com; CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinator Saadia Pervaiz, 312-212-1520, spervaiz@cair.com; CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinator Hannah Faris, 312-212-1520, hfaris@cair.com