We shall overcome!

Rep. John Lewis (D-Georgia) spoke to 180 people at the 40th ACCORD civil rights luncheon today at Casa Monica Hotel. Rep. Lewis is the only person who spoke at the 1963 March on Washington who still survives.

Rep. Lewis spoke of the great strides made by the civil rights movement, as evidenced by the election of Barack Obama. Like many of us here in St. Augustine, Rev. Lewis cried upon Obama's election and inauguration, and was on national television. Lewis was arrested more than 40 times during civil rights demonstrations and was badly beaten in Selma, Alabama (above).

John Lewis was an inspirational speaker, talking of growing up on a farm in Alabama, practicing preaching to flocks of chickens, noting that the chickens seemed more attentive than some (Republican) members of Congress.

Lewis spoke of the man who beat him in Rock Hill, S.C. on May 9, 1965 visiting his office after President Obama's Inauguration, apologizing and asking forgiveness.

Lewis asked his parents about segregation as a child and was told "that's the way it is....don't get in trouble." In 1955, at age 15, John Lewis heard about Rosa Parks and resolved to "get in trouble," saying we still need to "get in trouble" and work for justice, peace and equality.

Both Rep. Lewis and Dr. Fentress spoke of winning hearts and minds through the spirit, and about a great awakening that will change the world through economic and environmental reforms. "Keep your eyes on the prize," Rep. Lewis said, speaking of the power of love, peace and nonviolence to bring change to our planet.

"We all live in the same house," Rep. Lewis saying "we may have come over on different ships, but we're all in the same boat now."

There was nary an eye without tears, and we all went away inspired at the need for a second civil rights movement, one aimed at economic and environmental change.

Dr. Kathryn Fentress was a young civil rights activist who happens to be white and who, at age 19 was arrested in St. Augustine with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Monson Motel here on June 11, 1964. Dr. Fentress said Dr. King invited her to get arrested with her and she agreed; she called her mother and asked her to bring her a dress from her home in Ormond Beach.

Dr. King and the future Dr. Fentress was arrested for going to the Monson Motel and seeking to eat lunch. Dr. Fentress spent six days in jail, part of the "fill the jails campaign." She was bonded out by the civil rights movement when they learned that the two white women with whom she shared a jail cell (one a murderer) were planning to kill her. She spoke of the terror and fear caused by local bigots, including SHeriff's deputies who used cattle prods on children who were arrested and jailed for asking for equal rights.

Dr. King told Dr. Fentress and other civil rights activists that no one should join his protests unless they have "love in your heart," preaching nonviolence and quoting Jesus and Gandhi.

She spoke of the anger of the KKK, and her own anger at the KKK, and how the Sheriff's Deputies in St. Johns County were mostly KKK members at the time, with the National Guard brandishing hostility toward the civil rights demonstrators with dogs.

It was after that arrest that Dr. King wrote rabbis that St. Augustine was the "most lawless city in America."

Also speaking was our City's civil rights hero, Dr. Robert Hayling, D.D.S., who spoke of the stump in the Slave Market Square upon which slaves were displayed. The stump is gone, but the stain remains, to be replaced with a new vision for new generations -- the Foot Soldiers Monument, which will be unveiled this Fall.

Dr. Hayling spoke of the ruthlessness with which the KKK got people fired and caused them to leave town. Their descendants are moving back to St. Augustine, Dr. Hayling said.

We shall overcome!