Brent N. Clarke/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — The death of comedian and activist Dick Gregory at age 84 on Saturday prompted a flood of tributes on Twitter from celebrities, activists and others.
Jane Sanders recalled how her husband — Bernie Sanders, Democratic senator from Vermont and former presidential candidate — once spent a night in jail with Gregory after protesting segregation in Chicago.
RIP Dick Gregory, a good & brave man. He & @SenSanders spent the night in jail together for protesting Chicago segregated schools in the 60s https://t.co/pYpMU34eOx
— Jane O’Meara Sanders (@janeosanders) August 20, 2017
Democratic National Committee vice chairman Keith Ellison posted a photo of himself with Gregory. “Thank you for giving yourself to all of us,” he wrote.
Dick Gregory, may God Bless you and Keep you. Thank you for giving yourself to all of us. pic.twitter.com/Z1dLIvYuBn
— Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) August 20, 2017
Activist and writer Shaun King posted pictures of Gregory as a young man. “Rest in power, good sir,” King wrote.
Because many of you probably only knew Dick Gregory as an older man, I wanted to show you these young images.
Rest in power good sir. pic.twitter.com/ZayInokcaJ
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) August 20, 2017
Singer John Legend called Gregory a “groundbreaker in comedy and a voice for justice.”
Dick Gregory lived an amazing, revolutionary life. A groundbreaker in comedy and a voice for justice. RIP
— John Legend (@johnlegend) August 20, 2017
Some people posted excerpts from Gregory’s memoir, “Callous on My Soul,” such as when he wrote about a waitress in the South telling him that they “don’t serve colored people.”
White lady: We don’t serve colored people here.
Dick Gregory: I don’t eat colored people. Bring me a whole fried chicken.
RIP Mr. Gregory???? pic.twitter.com/t8dnuRJhBC
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) August 20, 2017
Here is a sample of some other tweets paying tribute to Gregory and lamenting his passing.
Comedian Dick Gregory always told it like it is. Our laughter was fuel to fight for justice in an unjust world. RIP 1932-2017 pic.twitter.com/wpbdEkvny1
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) August 20, 2017
Marching w/ King. Sitting w/ Ali. Paving the way for our comedic greats. All while fighting for us.
Rest well Dick Gregory. #blkcreatives pic.twitter.com/GsfRTjHSuy
— #blkcreatives netwrk (@blkcreatives) August 20, 2017
He taught us how to laugh. He taught us how to fight.He taught us how to live.Dick Gregory was committed to justice.I miss him already. #RIP pic.twitter.com/3CfpM2O17D
— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) August 20, 2017
Rest In Peace to civil rights icon Dick Gregory. An inspiration. A hero. ???? pic.twitter.com/kIzeYMNjor
— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) August 20, 2017
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