Ga. Rep.John Lewis and ex-segregationist who attacked him to get award

WASHINGTON — Georgia Rep. John Lewis and the white man who attacked him during a civil rights protest in 1961 have been chosen to receive the Common Ground award.

Lewis, who is black, and Elwin Wilson will receive the award Thursday at the Canadian Embassy in Washington.

The honor is given to those who’ve made significant contributions to bridging divides between people, finding solutions to seemly uncontrollable problems, and providing inspiration and hope.

Wilson was part of a mob that attacked Lewis and other Freedom Riders for entering the waiting area of a bus station in Rock Hill, S.C., marked “Whites Only” in May 1961. The men met again 48 years later when Wilson apologized to Lewis in January and the congressman accepted.