
Martin Luther King Day marks the civil rights activist’s birthday, and is observed as a celebration of all he has achieved for equality and race relations in the US.
Donald Trump kicked off weekend celebrations with a series of characteristic tweets, in which he criticised Republican, civil rights activist and a representative for Georgia's 5th congressional district, John Lewis.
Lewis is renowned for his exhaustive efforts alongside Martin Luther King during the civil rights movement in America.
In 1960, he was chairman of the student nonviolent coordinating committee, and in 1965, he suffered a skull fracture and "almost died" following an assault by a “state trooper" during a demonstration in Selma.
55 years ago today, I was arrested in the Jackson, MS bus station for using a "whites-only" restroom. #goodtrouble https://t.co/v8zeqfVl75— John Lewis (@John Lewis) 1464096738
.@realDonaldTrump https://t.co/coQIoYWsJ3— Chad Griffin (@Chad Griffin) 1484408526
Trump’s comments garnered much criticism, and people pointed out that Lewis was not, in fact "all talk talk talk":
@realDonaldTrump all talk, Donald? https://t.co/aVsVGRaKGm— Michael Skolnik (@Michael Skolnik) 1484400047
No action, you say @realDonaldTrump? @repjohnlewis is a hero. Study up Donald, try to be more like John. https://t.co/E8EjPvj8TJ— Khary Penebaker (@Khary Penebaker) 1484400421
.@realDonaldTrump https://t.co/nRURG8YbEJ— Chad Griffin (@Chad Griffin) 1484408360
In fact, the republican has been arrested 45 times for various forms of civil disobedience, including nonviolent protests, staging sit-ins, and using 'white only' facilities during segregation in the US.
Arrest number 45, protesting in support of comprehensive immigration reform http://t.co/b6ngK1LJxM— John Lewis (@John Lewis) 1381266534
Others pointed out that Trump's assertion of an increase in crime is inaccurate:
.@realDonaldTrump Crime is down 30% since 2009 in district represented by Rep John Lewis. https://t.co/nnchPXQEzA https://t.co/RvYfJ2vsLt— Caroline Orr Bueno, Ph.D (@Caroline Orr Bueno, Ph.D) 1484399716
Violent crime in the US is on the increase - a national, not a state trend - however general crime in Atlanta is down since 2009.
And people pointed out that his tweets were in bad taste:
.@realDonaldTrump Oh dear lord, honey, it's MLK weekend and this is John Lewis on the far right. Hand over your Twi… https://t.co/ugWXqseytP— Bess Kalb (@Bess Kalb) 1484413402
Trump's comments came in response to Lewis's on NBC News, where he said he didn’t “see this President-elect as a legitimate president”.
@realDonaldTrump this is what action looks like. https://t.co/vgTYNVpKCE— Loryn Brantz (@Loryn Brantz) 1484410380
President of the the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), Cornell Williams Brooks, is calling on the President-elect to apologise for his comments, which “demeaned Americans”.
By disrespecting @repjohnlewis, @realDonaldTrump dishonored Lewis' sacrifice & demeaned Americans & the rights, he… https://t.co/mZLEbmjAaP— Cornell William Brooks (@Cornell William Brooks) 1484425021