Published: July 05, 2008 06:47 pm      

Louisville civil rights leader Rev. Louis Coleman dies at 64

Louisville civil rights leader Rev. Louis Coleman died Saturday. He was 64.

Doctors at Louisville Suburban Hospital confirmed Coleman was admitted to the emergency room Saturday morning. Details on the cause of Coleman’s unexpected death were unknown at press time, but The Evening News and Tribune’s newsgathering partner, WLKY News Channel 32, reports Coleman was taken to the hospital early Saturday morning and died about 1:30 p.m. after suffering a series of seizures.

Coleman was the founder and spokesman for the Justic Resource Center in Louisville and was a tireless activist for what he saw as the inequality in the daily lives of minorities and the underprivledged.

Mattie Jones, a friend of Coleman’s said in a press conference Saturday that the community has lost a “great warrior.”

WLKY reported Coleman had been arrested more than 30 times over the years for activities related to civil disobedience. He told WLKY four years ago that he planned on cutting back on his protesting and was going into semi-retirement.

Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson released a statement commending Coleman’s dedication to his community Saturday afternoon.

“Reverend Coleman was a tireless fighter and a voice for those without a voice,” Abramson said. “We didn’t always agree with each other, but I never doubted his dedication and devotion.”

Kentucky Congressman John Yarmuth also made a statement regarding Coleman’s death.

“Our community and state have lost a tireless advocate for those whose voices were rarely heard and whose rights were often ignored,” Yarmuth said. “Louis Coleman’s passing leaves a vacuum that will be impossible to fill. He often told me, in recent years, that he wished someone would step up and assume his role, but no one could. Now, someone must.

“I will never forget his passion, his ferocity, his love, and something many people never saw, his humor. His legacy will be a lasting one.”

Details on funeral arrangements were not available at press time Saturday.