John Lewis Shames GOP Leaders For Skipping Selma Anniversary

UNITED STATES - FEBRUARY 14: Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., stands on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., in between television interviews on Feb. 14, 2015. Rep. Lewis was beaten by police on the bridge on "Bloody Sund... UNITED STATES - FEBRUARY 14: Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., stands on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., in between television interviews on Feb. 14, 2015. Rep. Lewis was beaten by police on the bridge on "Bloody Sunday" 50 years ago on March 7, 1965, during an attempted march for voting rights from Selma to Montgomery. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call) (CQ Roll Call via AP Images) MORE LESS
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Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) this week joined the Congressional Black Caucus in complaining that none of the Republican leadership in Congress would be attending a commemoration of the 1965 march for civil rights in Selma, Alabama.

“I wish we had someone in the [Republican] leadership going,” Lewis told Politico in an article published Thursday. “President Bush is going to be there, but I think it would have been fitting and appropriate for them to make a trip.”

Lewis took part in the historic march alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In his criticism, he was joined by Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH) and the caucus chairman, Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), who was less gentle in his condemnation.

“It is very disappointing that not a single Republican leader sees the value in participating in this 50th commemoration of the signing of the Voting Rights Act. I had hoped that some of the leadership would attend, but apparently none of them will,” Butterfield told Politico.

“The Republicans always talk about trying to change their brand and be more appealing to minority folks and be in touch with the interests of African-Americans,” he added. “This is very disappointing.”

The article noted that Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Rep. Martha Roby (R-AL) co-sponsored the event and encouraged at least 23 other GOPers to join them.

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Notable Replies

  1. They were too busy pleasuring themselves over Netanyahu’s speech to bother with Selma.

  2. How’s that outreach plan working out for you?

  3. Avatar for dnl dnl says:

    To be shamed requires a certain amount of conscience, ethics, compassion.

    Characteristics that the GOTP do not possess…

  4. It shows the generous big hearted spirit of Mr. Lewis that he believes Rs can be shamed. He himself would be ashamed if he could not attend such an event for some reason.

  5. Avatar for norma norma says:

    They checked with Bibi and he said no way so what can they do?

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