Norton to Say Final Farewell to Julian Bond, Her Friend, Civil Rights Leader, and D.C. Statehood Champion at the Tidal Basin, Saturday

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reminded D.C. and regional residents today that one way to show the appreciation due to fellow D.C. resident and civil rights leader Julian Bond, who died last Saturday, is to come to the Tidal Basin near the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial tomorrow, August 22, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. Bond's family will be spreading his ashes in the Gulf of Mexico at that time in a private funeral and has asked those who admired Bond to go to a body of water and spread flowers in his name. DC Vote, one of the organizations Bond helped in D.C.'s fight to achieve equal rights with other Americans, selected what Norton said was "an inspired choice" for the water for the memorial on Saturday afternoon.

"Julian has left a huge legacy that is both local and national," Norton said. "I first met Julian when we were both in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), but after our SNCC days, he was not content to move to D.C. to teach at both American University and the University of Virginia. Julian Bond never left the Civil Rights Movement. Instead, he joined our movement for statehood and voting rights with his. Americans everywhere will show their gratitude for Julian's life on Saturday, but D.C. residents will be there with special respects and thanksgiving, mindful of Julian Bond's unique contributions to this city and its residents."