Rev. James M. Lawson Jr. (1928-2024)

Hindus for Human Rights mourns the loss of Rev. James M. Lawson Jr., a key civil rights strategist deeply connected to the principles of the Indian Independence movement. Rev. Lawson, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 95, was instrumental in bridging the philosophies of Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolent resistance and the American Civil Rights Movement.

Rev. Lawson, a Methodist minister whose great-grandfather escaped slavery, studied Gandhi's principles of civil disobedience in India. He joined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1958, becoming a vital architect of the 1960s civil rights struggle. His teachings on nonviolent resistance shaped pivotal actions like sit-ins, boycotts, and voter-registration drives, all aimed at confronting racial injustice in America.

Despite facing criticism and violence, Rev. Lawson remained committed to nonviolence, believing it could expose the nation's deep-seated injustices. His dedication led to significant civil rights advancements and highlighted the powerful bonds between the Indian and American struggles for freedom and equality.

Join us in honoring his legacy. Listen to an interview with HfHr Advisory Board member Rajmohan Gandhi scholar, biographer and grandson of M.K. Gandhi in conversation with Rev. Lawson’s discussing non-violent action and social justice.

Watch the Interview: The Drama of Nonviolent Action: A Conversation with Rajmohan Gandhi and Rev. James Lawson