Georgia 'votercades' a timely tribute to John Lewis, activists say

ATLANTA - On a day dedicated to the activist spirit of late U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a ‘votercade’ at the King Center in Atlanta served as a timely tribute to the late civil rights leader and politician, officials said.

The event marked by protests in cities across the state of Georgia 

"We expect the participation on Saturday to be even larger than our Votercades during the runoffs because on the same day, same time, concerned citizens will drive through various U.S. cities to bring attention to the urgent need for policies that make voting easier, not harder," said Helen Butler, executive director of the Peoples’ Agenda in a statement. "Here in the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement we are determined to send a loud message that, as our founder, Dr. Joseph Lowery said, ‘We’re not going back. We’ve marched too hard, died too young and bleed too profusely to allow anyone to turn back the hands of time on our journey to justice’ – even in a global pandemic."

U.S. Representative for Georgia's 4th Congressional District Hank Johnson spoke with FOX 5 and shared his thoughts on the late Lewis.

"John Lewis bled and was willing to give his life for that right. We can’t let him down," Rep. Johnson said.

Jason Carter, the grandson of former President Jimmy Carter, Dr. Bernice King, and Martin King III, the children of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke during a press conference preceding the event. 

"I’m saddened that over 47 states are even considering proposing legislation that will restrict our ability to vote," Martin Luther King III said.

The focus of the day was voter rights and laws.

This comes after frustrations from Governor Brian Kemp signing voting laws many see as voter suppression for African-Americans.

"We witnessed first hand what Georgia is trying to do to take away our vote. We will not be stopped. We will not be intimidated," Helen Johnson said.

"Passing all of these voter suppression laws we can’t let them get away with it," Hank Johnson said.

'Votercades' took place in more than a dozen locations in Georgia on Saturday. 

DeKalb and Clayton County 'Votercades' and a caravan from The Carter Center joined the Atlanta group at The King Center. 

WATCH: FOX 5 Atlanta live news coverage

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