The advocacy work of civil rights leader John Lewis was sparked by his experiences growing up in the segregated South. As a child, he witnessed the injustices faced by African Americans, which ignited his passion for social justice. His involvement in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and key events like the Selma to Montgomery marches solidified his commitment to peaceful protests against racial discrimination. Throughout his life, Lewis became a powerful voice for civil rights, emphasizing the importance of nonviolent activism and advocacy for legislative change, which helped shape the future of the movement.