Saturday, Georgia Democrats were out in full force for the Atlanta March for Social Justice and Women. Here’s Rep. John Lewis’ speech ICYMI…
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 5th Congressional District, and the City of Atlanta.
“Donald Trump’s loathsome remarks on Congressman Lewis and the 5th 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 5th 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
DPG & Hillary for Georgia to Hold Early Vote Kickoff Events
Rep. John Lewis and Rep. Hank Johnson to encourage supporters to vote early
Atlanta, GA – On Monday, October 17, on the first day Georgians can early vote, Congressman John Lewis and Congressman Hank Johnson will campaign for Hillary Clinton. Congressman Lewis will join Fulton County Chairman John Eaves and State Representative Park Cannon to host a Millennial March starting at Nelson Street Bridge and marching to the polls with college students. Earlier in the morning, Congressman Hank Johnson, Commissioner Mereda Johnson, and fellow democrats will head to the polls with supporters and cast their ballots.
“The vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful tool or instrument in a democratic society,”Congressman Lewis said. “For more than 50 years, I have marched so that every person can exercise their right to vote. I’ve been beaten, left bloody and unconscious, all so that each and every one of us can be full participants in our democracy.
“On Monday, I will join dozens of young people who are doing their part by marching to the ballot box and exercising their right to vote. In all my years, I’ve never seen an election like this one. It is more important now than ever before for Georgia’s young people to march to the polls so that generations yet unborn can continue to fulfill the promise of America.”
Millennial March with John Lewis
WHEN: 10:30 am – Monday, October 17
WHERE: Nelson Street Bridge – 309 Nelson St SW Atlanta, Georgia 30313
WHO: Congressman John Lewis, Fulton County Chairman John Eaves, and State Representative Park Cannon
PUBLIC RSVP HERE
Early Vote Event with Congressman Hank Johnson
WHEN: 9:00 am – Monday, October 17
WHERE: South DeKalb Mall, 2801 Candler Rd Decatur, Georgia 30034
WHO: Congressman Hank Johnson and Commissioner Mereda Johnson
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Congressman John Lewis Speech at 2011 JJ Dinner
Listen!
We are one party, we are one people, we are one family, we all live in one house, the Democratic house.
It doesn’t matter whether we are black or white, Latino, Asian-American, or Native American: we are one.
And we must look out for each another.
There are some in Washington, some time I feel,
maybe they were just born mean.
Sometime I feel they go to be mean,
and they get up mean,
and they just mean all day long.
But our party is a party that know how to be good to people.
Know how to look after people.
Put people to work.
We create jobs!
We don’t go around looking in peoples’ bedrooms.
You heard what I said.
We don’t go around saying because of your last name,
or the language you speak that you’re illegal.
In my book, no human being is illegal.
Maybe just maybe our foremothers and our forefathers came to this land in different ships.
But we’re all in the same boat now.
There are people who want to take Medicare and privatize it,
end Social Security, and we must say no to that!
We have an obligation, we have a contract, with our senior citizens.
There are people who want to treat women and little children
like they don’t exist.
That’s not right. That’s not fair. That’s not just. That don’t even look good.
So we got to do something about that.
Not just here in Georgia but all around our nation,
here in this state, our party got to get out there and organize,
mobilize, and register your victory and vote like we never voted before.
We can do it, and we must do it!
We must make Georgia good again!
We can do it!
Let’s make this state good!
I am ready to travel not just in this district, but all around this state to help.
We got to do it.
We’ve got to make it possible for president Barack Obama to take care of this state.
We must elect more Democrats to the Georgia legislature.
We can do it.
Get out there and fight.
You’ll be fine.
Don’t be weary.
We can do it.
Gretchen: Yes we can!
Others: Yes we can!
I just want to give you one example.
Fifty years ago, we were going to ride to Montgomery Alabama on the Freedom Ride.
We were beaten. Left bloody.
The governor of Alabama at the time told his aides to tell president Kennedy
that he was going to go fishing; he couldn’t find protection for us.
The governor was forty years old then.
A few days ago we had an opportunity to meet with the former governor.
He’s now ninety.
He encouraged the people in Montgomery and in Alabama to save the old bus station.
He encouraged them to make it a Freedom Ride museum.
He had lunch with us, 20 of the Freedom Riders, at the courthouse.
He apologized over and over again.
He said, you young people were brave and courageous.
That’s what the movement was all about.
To bring about change and be reconciled.
To build peace in the community.
That’s what I love about the Democratic party in Georgia.
We can build a new house!
A better house!
One community!
One house!
We all live in the same house, and we must never, ever forget it!
That’s how we’re going to make it!
That’s how we’re going to take this state back!
We can do it!
Let’s do it!
Let’s go and vote Democrat!
Stand up!
Stand up for the people!
Thank you very much.