Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) is not attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. He told NBC’s Chuck Todd:
“I believe in forgiveness. I believe in trying to work with people. It’s going to be hard. It’s going to be very difficult. I don’t see this president-elect as a legitimate president.”
He also said:
“I think the Russians participated in helping this man get elected. And they helped destroy the candidacy of Hillary Clinton. I don’t plan to attend the inauguration. It will be the first one that I miss since I’ve been in the Congress.”
Lewis is a Civil Rights leader who has been in Congress since 1986. He is best known for being in the march on Selma in 1965. This will be the first Inauguration that he has skipped since 1986.
Russian Hacking
Even though Russia did interfere with the election, many Democrats haven’t gone so far as to say it outright as John Lewis has. Some Democrats have caved and are saying we need to “move on” and “accept” Trump as president.
Even Trump has admitted that the hacking took place, but he doesn’t think that Russia swayed the election. Trump even said:
“If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset and not a liability.”
More Democrats Boycotting
Lewis is not the only Democrat who is refusing to go to the Inauguration. Congresswoman Barbara Lee said:
“Inaugurations are celebratory events, a time to welcome the peaceful transition of power and honor the new administration. On January 20th, I will not be celebrating or honoring an incoming president who rode racism, sexism, xenophobia and bigotry to the White House.”
Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) is also boycotting. He said:
“My absence is not motivated by disrespect for the office or motivated by disrespect for the government that we have in this great democracy. But as an individual act, yes, of defiance, at the disrespect shown to millions and millions of Americans by this incoming administration and by the actions we are taking in this Congress.”
We need these Democrats to stand up for the rights that the GOP is trying to take away from us. They are already starting it with dismantling the Affordable Care Act. Keep fighting, Democrats!
Featured image via YouTube screenshot.
