John Lewis Statue Installed at Former Confederate Monument Site in Georgia

The 12-foot bronze statue replaces a Confederate obelisk removed in 2020 following racial justice protests.

The statue of John Lewis, a civil rights icon and former congressman, was placed in Decatur's town square.
The Confederate obelisk, erected in 1908, was taken down after George Floyd's death spurred nationwide protests.
Local activists and groups had long campaigned for the removal of the Confederate monument.
Basil Watson, an acclaimed sculptor, created the statue, which will be officially unveiled on August 24.
The monument's removal and replacement symbolize a shift towards honoring civil rights leaders over Confederate figures.