Rev. Al Sharpton, the Founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN), issued the following statement on the passing of Rev. Dr. James Lawson. The Methodist minister, who died Sunday at 95, was the seminal force behind the sit-ins, marches and Freedom Rides that became pillars of the Civil Rights Movement.

“James Lawson was the ultimate preacher, prophet, and activist. In his senior years, I was privileged to spend time with him at his church in Los Angeles. He would sit in his office and tell me inside stories of the battles of the 1950’s and 1960’s that he Dr. King and others engaged in. Lawson helped to change this nation – thank God the nation never changed him.”

For more information go to www.nationalactionnetwork.net.