John Lewis: Trump slammed for attack on rights icon

Politicians, entertainers and others have come to
the defence of a US civil rights campaigner,
Congressman John Lewis, who has become
embroiled in a row with President-elect Donald
Trump.
Mr Trump tweeted that Mr Lewis was "all talk" and
should focus on his constituents, after he said Mr
Trump was not a legitimate president.
But Mr Lewis' supporters reacted with anger,
saying he was a hero and icon.
Mr Lewis was a leading figure in the 1960s civil
rights movement
He is the last surviving speaker from the March on
Washington 50 years ago, led by Martin Luther
King.
Mr Lewis, a Democrat, said on Friday he would not
attend Mr Trump's inauguration on 20 January on
the grounds that he did not see the Republican as
a legitimate president.
"I think the Russians participated in helping this
man get elected," he told NBC's Meet the Press.
"And they helped destroy the candidacy of
[Democrat] Hillary Clinton.''
Mr Trump responded in tweets on Saturday:
"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. All talk, talk, talk - no
action or results. Sad!"
But Mr Lewis' supporters were quick to rally
round.
California Senator Kamala Harris, a Democrat, said
it was wrong to treat him in this way.
"John Lewis is an icon of the Civil Rights
Movement who is fearless in the pursuit of justice
and equality," she tweeted. "He deserves better
than this."
Others mentioned Mr Lewis' bravery and the fact
that the exchange had taken place on the eve of
Martin Luther King Day, on 16 January.
Many of them linked to photos of the two men, or
to the 1965 so-called Bloody Sunday march in
Alabama, in which Mr Lewis received a fractured
skull as the protest was violently broken up by
police.
Republican Senator Ben Sasse tweeted his support,
saying Mr Lewis' "talk" had changed the world.
However, he said he disagreed with his decision to
boycott the inauguration, adding: "It isn't about a
man. It is a celebration of peaceful transfer of
power."