DPG Statement on Donald Trump’s Detestable Attack on Congressman John Lewis & the People of Georgia

Release:  Saturday, January 14, 2017          

Atlanta, GA – Democratic Party of Georgia Communications Director Michael Smith issued the following statement in response to Donald Trump’s attack on Congressman John Lewis, Georgia’s 5^th Congressional District, and the City of Atlanta.

“Donald Trump’s loathsome remarks on Congressman Lewis and the 5^th District not only illustrate the President-elect’s classlessness—it further proves that Trump may be one of the most uneducated students of history to occupy the Oval Office. This is unacceptable on any day, but particularly offensive on the eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

“Congressman John Lewis has dedicated his life to ensuring that the United States lives up to its greatest expectations through nonviolence and grassroots activism. As a result of his and so many others’ sacrifices, our nation was transformed into a society where the scales of justice found more balance. Congressman Lewis’ legacy came at a steep price—he was jailed and beaten and bloodied. But he never gave up. He never gave in. And we as a nation are the beneficiaries of his commitment to getting into good trouble.

“Beyond these vulgar attacks, it is disheartening that Trump would rather sing the praises of Vladimir Putin than Georgia’s own living social justice legend and civil rights icon. Trump owes Congressman Lewis, the 5^th District, the City of Atlanta, and Georgians more than just an apology. He owes us the respect found in working toward a more perfect union through inclusion, equality, and commitment to the strengthening of everyone’s civil and human rights.”

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BACKGROUND

Atlanta Journal-Constitution – Trump to John Lewis: Fix your ‘horrible’ Atlanta district

“Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results,” Trump said in a pair of Twitter messages ahead of the city’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations. “All talk, talk, talk – no action or results. Sad!”

Atlanta Journal-Constitution – Pastor of MLK’s church: Trump is a ‘small man’ for attacking Atlanta

The Rev. Raphael Warnock  of Ebenezer Baptist Church said Trump “continually demonstrates that he is too small a man for the big responsibility he now assumes.”

“John Lewis has spent his life serving others. Trump has spent his life serving himself,” said Warnock, whose historic Atlanta church is the spiritual home of King’s family. “Rather than sending nasty tweets, he ought to sit at John Lewis’ feet and learn what service, sacrifice and integrity look like.”

New York Times – ‘All Talk, No Action,’ Trump Says in Attack on John Lewis, a Civil Rights Icon