Rep. John Lewis to speak at Mass. College of Liberal Arts commencement
The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts announced Tuesday morning that Rep. John Lewis, a leader of the civil rights movement, will serve as the college’s 2017 commencement speaker.
We are honored to announce @repjohnlewis will be MCLA’s 118th Commencement speaker! https://t.co/lcvs3bancS #intheberkshires #BeHereMCLA
— MCLA (@MCLA_EDU) January 17, 2017
“We are delighted to welcome Rep. John Lewis as our keynote speaker at this year’s Commencement ceremony. Often called one of the most courageous people produced by the Civil Rights Movement, for his dedication to protecting human rights and securing civil liberties, John Lewis is known for the many key roles he played to end segregation in America,” said Susan Gold, chair of the MCLA Board of Trustees, in a press release.
Lewis is best known for his work in organizing the 1963 March on Washington alongside Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. In recent days, Lewis made headlines in a feud with President-elect Donald. J. Trump, after Lewis said he didn’t consider Trump to be a “legitimate president” and would not be attending the inauguration.
This led the president-elect to launch a Twitter attack on Lewis, stating in a pair of tweets that the civil rights icon is “all talk” but “no action.”
Lewis will receive an honorary Doctor of Public Service at the ceremony, which will be held on May 13.
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