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John Lewis Crowd Surfs on Colbert

Civil rights icon defends NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick's anthem protest

Rep. John Lewis quickly agreed when Stephen Colbert asked if he wanted to do a little crowdsurfing. (The Late Show With Stephen Colbert/YouTube)
Rep. John Lewis quickly agreed when Stephen Colbert asked if he wanted to do a little crowdsurfing. (The Late Show With Stephen Colbert/YouTube)

As someone who had his skull fractured while marching for civil rights in the 1960s, a little crowd surfing probably doesn’t scare Rep. John Lewis.

The civil rights icon and Georgia Democrat did so on CBS’ “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on Wednesday where he spoke about his three-volume graphic novel series, “March.”

[John Lewis Closes Out ‘March’ Trilogy]

Lewis also defended San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to not stand during the national anthem, saying he has to the right to protest.

“This football player is acting according to the dictates of his conscience,” Lewis said. “And we should support him.”

Afterward, Lewis jumped into the audience and rode the crowd. Colbert’s previous guests on the episode — actors Christian Slater and Chris Geere — had crowd surfed before the congressman. When Colbert asked if he would, too, Lewis quickly agreed.

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