Congressman John Lewis Urges Voters To "Redeem The Soul Of America"

Congressman John Lewis made a surprise visit to Selma, Alabama Sunday. Despite his battle with pancreatic cancer, the 80-year-old visited the site where he and other non-violent voting rights advocates were beaten 55 years ago.

Rep. Lewis urged those gathered to "redeem the soul of America." He told them to "vote like we never, ever voted before." 

Voting is underway across the country as the race for U.S. President continues. Georgia's Presidential Primary is on March 24th. Early voting continues through March 20th.

Lewis was severely beaten when police attacked him and the group trying to cross the Edmund Pettus bridge on March 7, 1965. The group, which included Amelia Boynton and others, were attempting to march to Montgomery, the capitol of Alabama, to advocate for voting rights for African Americans.

An icon of the Civil Rights Movement, Lewis said Sunday, "We can not give up now, we can not give in. We must keep the faith, keep our eyes on the prize." Lewis when on to tell the many thousands gathered at the bridge-crossing "America is a different place, but we can make it better. We must use the vote as a non-violent instrument or tool to redeem the soul of America."