LOS ANGELES - The Rev. James Lawson Jr., a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement known for his dedication to nonviolent protest, has died at the age of 95, his family announced on Monday. Lawson, who was a close adviser to the iconic Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., passed away in Los Angeles on Sunday after a brief illness.

Lawson's influence was far-reaching, as he spent decades working as a pastor, labor movement organizer, and university professor. Revered for his commitment to nonviolence, King referred to Lawson as "the leading theorist and strategist of nonviolence in the world." The pair became acquainted in 1957, after Lawson spent three years in India studying the principles of Mahatma Gandhi's independence movement. This encounter led to a close bond between the two pastors, who were both 28 years old at the time.

Lawson played a pivotal role in training and guiding activists during the Civil Rights Movement. He organized workshops in Nashville, Tennessee, where he prepared notable figures such as John Lewis, Diane Nash, Bernard Lafayette, Marion Barry, and the Freedom Riders to peacefully withstand brutal responses from white authorities amidst their challenges against racist laws and policies. Demonstrating the effectiveness of nonviolent resistance, Lawson's efforts led Nashville to become the first major city in the South to desegregate its downtown.

Lawson's teachings, influenced by Gandhi's principles, helped individuals understand how direct action could reveal the immorality and fragility of racist power structures. "We have the power to resist the racism in our own lives and souls," Lawson emphasized, sharing Gandhi's belief in the individual's ability to effect change. He believed that the power to make choices and reject injustice was inherent in every person.

In 1968, Lawson organized the sanitation workers' strike in Memphis, a significant event that drew King to the city and ultimately ended in tragedy with King's assassination. Lawson was deeply affected by this loss, but it only fueled his commitment to preaching and advocating for the power of nonviolent direct action.

Born on September 22, 1928, in Massillon, Ohio, Lawson was raised in a family deeply rooted in the ministry. He became ordained as a high school senior and expressed his dedication to nonviolence from an early age. Even in elementary school, Lawson's encounter with racial slurs led him to embrace pacifism. He later became a conscientious objector during the Korean War and served a prison sentence for his beliefs.

Lawson's journey to India, sponsored by the Fellowship of Reconciliation, exposed him to Gandhi's philosophy of satyagraha or the relentless pursuit of truth. He saw how this concept intertwined with the Christian principle of turning the other cheek, providing a framework for collective action against unjust laws.

Despite the passing of time, Lawson remained steadfast in his mission and commitment to nonviolent resistance. On the 50th anniversary of King's death, he marched in Memphis, reflecting on unfinished work and expressing his ongoing frustration with the societal challenges that remained.

The loss of Rev. James Lawson Jr. serves as a poignant reminder of the tireless dedication and lasting impact of leaders in the Civil Rights Movement. His teachings and dedication to nonviolence will continue to inspire generations to come as they strive for a more just and equitable society.