Birmingham, AL – Today, with a heavy heart, Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) mourns the passing of Rev. C.T. Vivian, an unparalleled organizer, pastor and activist whose leadership in the Civil Rights Movement, and especially in Selma, helped to push our nation forward, and led to the passage of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965. A dedicated member of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s civil rights planning team, Rev. C.T. Vivian organized sit-ins across the southeast, rode the first Freedom Bus and is credited with playing a crucial role in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013 by President Obama, which is the highest civilian honor.

“Today, I join with the nation in mourning a national treasure. As our country continues to grapple with the deep-seeded inequities and structural racism that have, for centuries, prevented Black Americans from realizing the true promise of the American Dream, the work of Rev. C.T. Vivian is increasingly important and inspiring,” said Rep. Sewell. “May we rededicate ourselves to his life’s work and find solace in the strength and fortitude of Rev. C.T. Vivian, whose bravery and persistence should serve as a model for all who seek to right the wrongs of structural racism and inequality. It is his fighting spirit and heart for service that I will continue to call upon in moments of challenge.”

Born in Boonville, Missouri in 1924, Rev. C.T. Vivian was a lifelong man of faith and a committed Foot Soldier in civil rights protests across the southeast. He was instrumental in organizing sit-ins in Nashville, Tennessee; in organizing the Selma Voting Rights Movement; and served on the Southern Christian Leadership’s (SCLC) staff in Birmingham, Alabama; Selma, Alabama; Chicago, Illinois; Washington, D.C.; Danville, Virginia; and St. Augustine, Florida. Rev. C.T. Vivian remained a devoted advocate for civil rights until his passing, speaking at public events and offering workshops across the country.