Georgia congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis has died at age 80

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• Rep. John Lewis of Georgia died late Friday at the age of 80, according to multiple reports.
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• Lewis was a decorated US civil rights icon who was the last surviving speaker of the March on Washington.
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• In addition to being a central figure in the fight to end racial segregation, Lewis served in the House of Representatives since 1987.
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Rep. John Lewis of Georgia died at the age of 80 on Friday, according to multiple reporters.

He was a decorated civil rights icon and served in the House of Representatives since 1987. Before entering US politics, Lewis championed desegregation and was one of the original Freedom Riders, a group of civil rights activists who rode interstate buses through the South to demonstrate against segregated bus terminals.

The late congressman revealed that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in a statement in December 2019.

In the statement, he said he learned about his diagnosis during a routine medical visit that month. He added that he would continue to serve his constituents in Georgia's 5th Congressional District while undergoing treatment.