Congressman John Lewis criticized the looting and violence that followed peaceful protests in Atlanta and other cities, a position that is bringing him praise and accusations that the Civil Rights-era activist is out of touch.
Lewis, in an interview Saturday afternoon on MSNBC, said non-violence is what he and others had modeled.
“We must continue to teach the way of peace, the way of love, the philosophy and the discipline of non-violence,” the Atlanta Democrat said. “And never, ever give up on any of our brothers and sisters. We’re one people; we’re one family. “
Lewis, 80, posted a longer statement on his U.S. House website directly addressing protesters.
“To the rioters here in Atlanta and across the country: I see you, and I hear you,” he wrote. “I know your pain, your rage, your sense of despair and hopelessness. Justice has, indeed, been denied for far too long. Rioting, looting, and burning is not the way. Organize. Demonstrate. Sit-in. Stand-up. Vote. Be constructive, not destructive.”
Complete coverage: Atlanta protests: https://www.ajc.com/news/local/complete-coverage-atlanta-protests/752UoUuBszpNakoEKP4raO/
A post on Twitter excerpting his statement was shared by Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, celebrity chef Padma Lakshmi and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley among others thanking Lewis for speaking out.
What there were many people praising the congressman, who was badly beaten during a march across Selma's Pettus Bridge in 1965 and is considered one of the last living Civil Rights leaders, others said he wasn't fully acknowledging that previous protests often turned violent because of law enforcement and that America's systemic issues with police brutality, racism and economic inequality continue to persist.
The protests, which swept across Atlanta for the past two nights, are sparked by outrage over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Marchers have also voiced concerns about the death of Breonna Taylor, who was killed when police in Louisville, Ky., erroneously executed a search on her home. The shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick, especially prosecutors' conduct in that case, has also been criticized.
All of this is happening while many Americans continue to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to job losses and limitations on daily life.
Despite the disagreement with Lewis’s statements, people who appeared to be condescending or disrespectful toward the congressman were generally rebuked.
Lewis’s MSNBC interview:
About the Author
