In a moment steeped in historical symbolism, a towering bronze statue of the late civil rights leader and Georgia congressman John Lewis was installed on Friday in Decatur, Georgia.

The statue now stands where a Confederate monument had cast its shadow for more than a century, reflecting a profound shift in the narrative that the town square embodies.

The 12-foot-tall statue, created by internationally acclaimed sculptor Basil Watson, was carefully set into place as Watson observed the process with a mix of pride and anticipation.

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“It’s exciting to see it going up and exciting for the city because of what he represents and what it’s replacing,” Watson remarked, underscoring the significance of the installation.

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John Lewis, a central figure in the Civil Rights Movement, is celebrated for his unwavering commitment to justice and his advocacy for “good trouble”—the idea of challenging unjust systems through peaceful but determined action.

Throughout his life, Lewis urged others to stand up for what they believed was right, even when doing so was difficult or unpopular.

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His presence in the square now serves as a powerful reminder of these values, contrasting sharply with the legacy of the monument it replaced.

The Confederate monument, an obelisk erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1908, stood in DeKalb County for over 110 years.

For decades, it symbolized a painful chapter of American history, a reminder of a time when the Confederacy fought to preserve the institution of slavery.

However, in recent years, such monuments have become focal points for protest and public debate, particularly in the wake of incidents like the 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the killing of George Floyd in 2020.

The removal of the obelisk in 2020 was a pivotal moment for Decatur.

As crews lifted the stone monument from its base, they were met with jeers and chants of “Just drop it!” from onlookers who had gathered to witness the event.

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The removal was the culmination of efforts by groups such as the Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights and Hate Free Decatur, who had long advocated for its dismantling, arguing that it was a symbol of hate and oppression.

The city of Decatur itself recognized the monument as a threat to public safety, particularly as it became a frequent target of vandalism and graffiti.

In response, the city petitioned a Georgia judge to order its removal, a request that was ultimately granted.

Now, as the statue of John Lewis takes the place of the former Confederate monument, it signals not just a change in the physical landscape of Decatur but also a shift in the values that the community chooses to honor.

The statue, which will be officially unveiled on August 24, stands as a tribute to a man who dedicated his life to the pursuit of equality and justice, and as a symbol of a new era in the town’s history.

As Basil Watson noted, the installation of the Lewis statue is not just a moment of excitement for the city, but a representation of the transformative power of “good trouble”—a reminder that history is not static, and that the symbols we choose to elevate can reflect our highest ideals.

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