ATLANTA --- The guard of the civil rights movement came together Saturday to honor the Rev. James Orange, who took the lessons he learned from the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to the fight for workers' rights and global equality.
The Rev. Orange died suddenly in Atlanta on Feb. 16 after suffering complications from gall bladder surgery. He was 65.
Hundreds of people attended the homegoing ceremony at Morehouse College's King Chapel, which lasted more than three hours and was filled with song, history and politics.
The Rev. Orange was mostly remembered as a gentle giant who first struck an imposing figure as a young man organizing for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. U.S. Rep. John Lewis -- who fought alongside the Rev. Orange to desegregate their native Alabama in the 1960s -- recalled that his friend was not one discouraged by fear.
"James Orange was never missing in action," Mr. Lewis said.
Looking down at the Rev. Orange's casket during his remarks, Mr. Lewis asked him to say hello to their comrades in the movement whom he now joins in death, including Martin and Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, Fannie Lou Hamer, Whitney Young and Hosea Williams.
"Tell them we're still working," Mr. Lewis said. "We will march with you again."
At times, the funeral was the stage for a bit of political theater among the civil rights lions, who are split in their support between Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Fellow Georgia U.S. Rep. David Scott made a brief statement and was thanked for his recent endorsement of Mr. Obama.
Before making his remarks, the Rev. Joseph Lowery -- another fellow Alabamian and former head of the SCLC who is also supporting Mr. Obama -- also mentioned the Illinois senator as he cast a glare at Mr. Lewis, who was seated a few feet away and has endorsed Mrs. Clinton, though last week questions were raised about whether he plans to throw his support as a superdelegate behind Mr. Obama.
Former Ambassador Andrew Young -- who was standing with the Rev. Orange at the bottom of the steps of the Lorraine Motel when Dr. King was assassinated April 4, 1968 -- said the Rev. Orange's example would continue to unite his civil rights colleagues despite their differences.
"We still have a lot to do," said Mr. Young, who delivered the Rev. Orange's eulogy. "We may not all agree on everything, but we'll still work together without being disagreeable. That's what Martin Luther King taught us. That's what James Orange taught us."
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