As the sun sets behind the U.S. Capitol, the public viewing of Congressman John Lewis’s casket continues until 10 p.m. and again Tuesday all day, starting at 8 a.m.
Lewis’s body will be on display to the public Monday evening and Tuesday all day. His casket will be moved to the Capitol’s East front steps for the viewing public to pay their respects. Social distancing and mask-wearing will be enforced.
The late Congressman died earlier this month at the age of 80 after battling pancreatic cancer.
At the ceremony, Congressional leaders praised Lewis as a moral force for the nation. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Lewis “the conscience of the Congress,” and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell praised him as a model of courage.
Democratic presumptive presidential nominee Joe Biden and Vice President Mike Pence each paid their respects to the congressman. President Donald Trump told reporters he does not plan on visiting Lewis at the Capitol.
Mayor Muriel Bowser discussed special moments she shared with Lewis while speaking with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer Monday night.
“I had the opportunity to go on the pilgrimage to Selma with the congressman where I really got to spend some time with him,” Bowser said. “And for him to choose to come to Black Lives Matter Plaza in the twilight of his life, when I’m sure he knew that his days were numbered on Earth, quite frankly meant a lot to me.”
“His life is a tribute to sacrifice, to hanging in there, to being persistent and in his words in getting in the way and making good trouble, so he leaves a legacy for us all to follow,” Bowser added.
The public viewing of Lewis’s casket began a bit later than its scheduled 6 p.m. start with a long line of people wrapping around the blocks leading up to the front steps of the U.S. Capitol.
What an incredible moment —
The line to see #JohnLewis at the Capitol now stretches behind the Supreme Court…
These are the THOUSANDS out in the heat wave and pandemic…@WUSA9@CBSNewspic.twitter.com/TNbYCYQ1Mw
The American flag is lowered to honor John Lewis at the U.S. Capitol.Dee Dwyer / DCistA police motorcade arrives at the Capitol.Dee Dwyer / DCistCongressman John Lewis’s casket arrives at the U.S. Capitol.Dee Dwyer / DCistHonor Guards await Congressman John Lewis’s casket in front of the Capitol.Dee Dwyer / DCistThe body of Congressman John Lewis arrive at the U.S. Capitol. People stand for a moment of silence.Dee Dwyer / DCistCongressman John Lewis’s body is bought into the Capitol by the Honor Guards.Dee Dwyer / DCistLoved ones of Congressman John Lewis watch as the Honor Guards bring his body inside the Capitol.Dee Dwyer / DCistPallbearers carry the casket of late Congressman John Lewis into the Capitol building.Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMUPallbearers carry the casket of late Congressman John Lewis into the U.S. Capitol.Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMUAn honor guard pallbearer faints in the heat. He is escorted inside.Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMUHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., left, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., talk before a memorial service to honor the late Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., in the Capitol Rotunda, Monday, July 27, 2020, in Washington.Shawn Thew / AP PhotoMembers of the Congressional Black Caucus, say farewell at the conclusion of a service for the late Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., a key figure in the civil rights movement and a 17-term congressman from Georgia, as he lies in state at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, July 27, 2020.J. Scott Applewhite / AP PhotoPallbearers bring out Congressman John Lewis’s casket for public viewing.Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMUPallbearers bring out Congressman John Lewis’s casket.Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMUPallbearers salute Congressman John Lewis’s casket.Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMUEvangelist Mary Clement of Silver Spring, Md, waits in line to pay respects to Congressman John Lewis.Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMUMary Clement, in front of the U.S. Capitol, waits to see Congressman John Lewis’s casket.Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMUMary Clement waves an American flag while waiting to see Congressman John Lewis’s casket.Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMUPeople wait in line to pay respects to Congressman John Lewis.Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMUA woman raises her fist in front of Congressman John Lewis’s casket.Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMUPeople pay their respects to Congressman John Lewis.Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMUProponents of D.C. Statehood raise their fists as they pass Congressman John Lewis’s casket on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMUProponents of D.C. Statehood stand in front of Congressman John Lewis’s casket on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMUMembers of the Fairfax and Montgomery County chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Inc, the same fraternity Congressman John Lewis belonged to, pose in front of the U.S. Capitol steps where Lewis’s casket lies.Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMUMembers of Phi Beta Sigma Inc pose in front of the U.S. Capitol steps where Lewis’s casket lies.Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMUMembers of Phi Beta Sigma Inc adjust their masks in front of the U.S. Capitol steps.Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMUMembers of Phi Beta Sigma Inc huddle in front of the U.S. Capitol steps.Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMUMembers of Phi Beta Sigma hold hands and sing the fraternity’s song in front of the U.S. Capitol steps.Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMUMembers of Phi Beta Sigma hold hands and sing the fraternity’s song.Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMU
Tyrone Turner
Dee Dwyer
Christian Zapata
