White House Criticizes a Top Civil Rights Leader for Not ‘Honoring Incredible Sacrifice Civil Rights Leaders Made’
Rep. John Lewis Refuses to Stand on Same Stage as President Trump
Democratic U.S. Congressman John Lewis of Georgia is one of this nation’s top and most-recognized civil rights leaders. He was the chairman of one of the primary civil rights organizations that organized Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, during which King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Lewis also delivered a speech at that historic event and was the youngest man to do so. He has been beaten, arrested, and jailed in his fight for civil rights.
Rep. Lewis has decided he cannot stand on the same stage as President Donald Trump this Saturday, when Trump will visit the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. Trump is believed by many to be a white nationalist or even a white supremacist, has called for the death penalty for five young Black men were were later proven innocent of rape via DNA, has called white nationalists, white supremacists, and neo-Nazis “very fine people.”
New York Times opinion writer Charles M. Blow in September concluded, “Either Trump is himself a white supremacist or he is a fan and defender of white supremacists, and I quite honestly am unable to separate the two designations.”
Lewis, and fellow Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, have announced they will not attend Saturday’s event.Â
The White House saw fit to denounce them for it.
“We think it’s unfortunate that these members of Congress wouldn’t join the President in honoring the incredible sacrifice civil rights leaders made to right the injustices in our history,” Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement to reporters. “The President hopes others will join him in recognizing that the movement was about removing barriers and unifying Americans of all backgrounds.”
In other words, the White House is criticizing one of the nation’s top civil rights leaders for not honoring his own sacrifices.
“President Trump’s attendance and his hurtful policies are an insult to the people portrayed in this civil rights museum,” Lewis and Thompson said in a joint statement said. “President Trump’s disparaging comments about women, the disabled, immigrants and National Football League players disrespect the efforts of Fannie Lou Hamer, Aaron Henry, Medgar Evers, Robert Clark, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner and countless others who have given their all for Mississippi to be a better place.”
Soem responses via Twitter:
Does she…know who John Lewis is? https://t.co/W5Wt3gTWmQ
— Jamelle Bouie (@jbouie) December 7, 2017
It’s uhhhh unfortunate that John Lewis won’t honor the sacrifices made by … [looks down at notes] … John Lewis. https://t.co/VOPQmnB0t3
— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) December 7, 2017
JOHN LEWIS WAS THE CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER WHO MADE THE FUCKING SACRIFICE YOU TWIT! https://t.co/k3CccEIb3a
— Ian Millhiser (@imillhiser) December 7, 2017
No one in the White House press office thought to google “John Lewis” before putting out a statement on him.
— Ian Millhiser (@imillhiser) December 7, 2017
Hi @PressSec Sarah Huckabee Sanders, I know you’re only accustomed to trash, disrespect and immorality, but John Lewis were among those who sacrificed. He is an icon who doesn’t need to honor himself let alone next to a racist scumbag and his group of cultists. Take a seat. https://t.co/V1UoRbcPZz
— Ricky Davila 🇵🇷 (@TheRickyDavila) December 7, 2017
To comment on this article and other NCRM content, visit our Facebook page.
Image via Facebook
If you find NCRM valuable, would you please consider making a donation to support our independent journalism?
Â
Â
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.