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He was credited for desegregating the Georgia state capitol building and instituting integrated bathrooms and drinking fountains.

\"PHOTO:
Joe Holloway Jr./AP, FILE
PHOTO: Georgia state Sen. Leroy Johnson speaks during an event at a City Hall news conference in Atlanta, G.A., on Oct. 20, 1969.
>

In 2008, he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution how he helped desegregate the state Capitol in 1963.

\"I carried my pages into restrooms that said 'white' instead of 'colored,’” Johnson said. “And when we got to the water fountain, I had them drink from the water fountain that had the sign that said 'white' instead of 'colored.'\"

In response, Johnson said all the signs had disappeared form the water fountains and restrooms.

Photos: Notable people who died in 2019

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said Johnson “became a national symbol for the power of the Black vote.”

In 1970, Johnson also played a role in helping Muhammad Ali restart his boxing career in Atlanta. He secured a safe location for Ali to box against Jerry Quarry, following his three-year ban from the sport after refusing to fight in the Vietnam War.

Johnson earned his law degree from North Carolina Central University -- as he was unable to attend the University of Georgia in 1957 as a black man, the AJC reported.

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