The final Freedom Ride will begin this morning for Reverend C.T. Vivian with a stop at the Georgia Capitol building around 11:30 am. His body will lie in state in the rotunda.
Known as a "Man of the Movement" Rev. Vivian died on Friday July 17, at his home in Atlanta. He was 95.
At 3:00 pm Wednesday, a horse drawn carriage will take Vivian's casket down Auburn Avenue to the front of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), arriving at approximately 4:10 pm. The SCLC is where Vivian worked and organized during the Movement. Then, at approximately 430 pm the open horse drawn carriage will pull to the front of the tomb of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King. The public can participate in the final Freedom Ride for Vivian while social distancing and donning masks.
Meanwhile, at noon Wednesday, the People's Vigil honoring Vivian and Congressman John Lewis will be held on the steps of Atlanta City Hall. According to the organizers, Hosea Helps CEO Elisabeth Omilami, the daughter of the late Civil Rights Icon Hosea Williams, and Atlanta City Councilman Michael Bond, the son of another Legend of the Movement Julian Bond, everyone is asked to wear white and masks which are mandatory.
According to the C.T. and Octavia Vivian Museum and Archives, a private service will be held for the family only due to COVID-19 at Providence Missionary Baptist Church at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 23, 2020. The funeral processions are being handled by Darrell E. Watkins of Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for contributions to be made towards the preservation of the collection as well as continuing his legacy by supporting The C.T. and Octavia Vivian Museum & Archives, Inc. According board member George Andrews, "As we have lost another legend of the Civil Rights Movement, we would like to honor Rev. Vivian and are inviting those whose lives he has touched or who may have heard him preach to go to the website to make a donation to help preserve and keep these books and his legacy alive." More information can be found about Rev. Vivian, his nonprofit C.T. and Octavia Vivian Museum and Archives, and how to donate by visiting www.ctovma.org.



