Congressman, Civil Rights Leader Gets Honorary Doctorate From Marquette

U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia, was in Milwaukee on Wednesday night to receive an honorary doctorate from Marquette University.

In an interview on Wednesday, Lewis compared the events of the civil rights movement to recent events in Ferguson, Mo. He said that Ferguson shows how social media has allowed people to more easily come together for civil rights causes.

“I’ve seen hundreds and thousands of people turn out because of social media. Just a few people came together, and almost overnight people were marching together,” said Lewis.

Lewis has spoken out on the recent events in Ferguson, calling on President Barack Obama to secure citizens’ rights to assemble and protest. Lewis has also insisted leaders in Ferguson apologize for using excessive force against the predominantly black community.

The civil rights icon will also premiere his new book “March,” which gives a first-hand account of his fight for civil rights.