John Lewis not miffed by “Occupy Atlanta” dis
A frame from a video clip shows U.S. Rep. John Lewis' unsuccessful attempt to address the Occupy Atlanta gathering.
A 10-minute video clip of U.S. Rep. John Lewis‘ unsuccessful attempt to address the Occupy Atlanta gathering in Woodruff Park is burning up the blog and Twittersphere.
To put it mildly, it’s not going over well in some circles.
To #occupyatlanta General Assembly. You are a bunch of (blank)heads. Congressman John Lewis is an American hero,” tweeted hip hop industry mogul and activist Russell Simmons. He supports the Wall Street protestors that spawned Occupy Atlanta, though, tweeting more recently, “White people catch a cold blacks get pneumonia. We must join in #occupywallstreet. Education and health care cut while rich get richer.”
Jay Smooth, a hip hop DJ in New York, tweeted, “Disappointed to hear that John Lewis was not allowed to speak at #OccupyAtlanta. Hoping organizers will hear feedback and learn from it.”
The video clip of the protesters discussing the matter, and of Lewis leaving without speaking, has been gathering steam online. As of about 11:15 a.m. today it had logged more than 180,000 views on YouTube. In the clip, the protestors discuss the matter by repeating phrases, vote by waving their hands and ultimately decide that Lewis should come back later. At one point someone off camera shouts “John Lewis is no better than anyone else!”
Lewis, a Civil Rights Era icon, was gracious when we asked him about the matter. ”It’s ok,” he said during a brief interview Sunday night at the Woodruff Arts Center, site of a 90th birthday celebration for his fellow Civil Rights Era activist, the Rev. Joseph Lowery. Both the park and arts center are named for the late corporate titan Robert Woodruff, a longtime president of Coca-Cola and major philanthropist.
Lewis had been en route to a Pride event when he stopped by Woodruff Park.
“They didn’t really deny me,” Lewis said. The protestors decided he could return after their agenda items had been completed, but because of the Pride event, Lewis didn’t have time to wait around. The group has since issued a statement saying, “We are dismayed that anything we have done would seem to show disrespect for a man whom many of us revere, and apologize to everyone who was hurt or angered by our actions.” And they say Lewis can come back.
Lewis said he was not dismayed, despite his key role in the nation’s struggle for civil rights, that he was not more eagerly received when he initially stopped by the park.
“These are different times,” he said.
- Jennifer Brett/The Buzz/jbrett@ajc.com
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117 comments Add your comment
James
October 10th, 2011
8:19 am
He should not have been surprised that they didn’t want to hear from him. After all he is one of the people who worked so hard to get us in this mess. Remind me what has he done in Congress in the last 30 years other than occupy a seat?
Hunter
October 10th, 2011
8:23 am
These people are right, they are amongst the 90% of the population that really just don’t get how life works.
Arrogance knows no bounds
October 10th, 2011
8:30 am
John Lewis has been in Congress seemingly forever. He has faced no real opposition since his election. To allow this man to speak about struggle of any kind would be an exercise in nostalgia only. He is completely irrelevant to today’s issues, as the poster above notes.
The truly sad part of the Wall Street and Occupy Atlanta protests is how clueless most of the participants are. They feel powerless, unproductive. In the ultimate irony, their solution is to use the power of the state to confiscate the property and labor of others hoping that the courtiers in Washington will give them a slice of the booty. Trading current misery for dependence and inefficiency will be their legacy.
Chris
October 10th, 2011
8:34 am
Hate to say it, but he tried to stick his face into this and got the door slammed in it. This isn’t the first time this political oppotunist has hijacked a gathering of people. He did the same thing after 9/11 and didn’t add a thing to the discussion. The man really hasn’t done anything lately but pick up awards for stuff he did 40 years ago. What have you done for us lately, Lewis?
Greg
October 10th, 2011
8:37 am
If I showed up at John Lewis’ office unannounced and he was in the middle of a meeting of any kind would he stop his meeting and engage me in a discussion?
GUNGA DIN
October 10th, 2011
8:38 am
why would anyone want to listen anyone who is part of the “do nothing Congress”. he is part of the problem, NOT the solution. people who think that they are “owed” a place in Congress due to their previous actions should be thrown out. just what has he done for America in his 30 years of being a politician. earn your place or get out of the way!!!
Jackie Robinson = Hero to Us All
October 10th, 2011
8:43 am
These Occupy Atlanta nutjobz are pretty much clueless about American & American Civil Rights History, but apparently even THEY had heard enough the cumulative speeches of Congressman Lewis to know he was just going to tell them to blame all of the world’s problems on those “Wight Wing Wepublicans.”
clipper
October 10th, 2011
8:44 am
Political opportunist, not unlike al sharpton and jesse jackson. He has never done anything credible other than civil rights marches. I applaud him for that. The flea party is just enjoying a smokefest, it will be over in a couple of days with less than a thousand parasites ever having been involved.
Paul From Milton
October 10th, 2011
8:46 am
None of these guys get it. It isn’t a black/white thing or a Democrat vs. Republican thing. It’s a have vs. have not thing. Lewis, Simmons, etc. are the establishment. They are the “have” guys. It’s the same reason Rep. Rangel was shouted down by Occupy Wall Street. He represents the establishment.
DB
October 10th, 2011
8:46 am
The people who have posted before me this morning generally have no idea what they are talking about. John Lewis has fought for theirs and others’ basic human rights his entire life, regardless of skin color. Want to know what he’s been doing for us the last 40 years? Then stop being intellectually lazy and actually research his voting record and the positions he supports, instead of making empty claims and hiding behind an anonymous blog.. I’ll even give you a place to start, his official U.S. House website is http://johnlewis.house.gov/
Obama Supporter
October 10th, 2011
8:46 am
The stimulus is working !!!
Special thanks to the uninformed protester.
Logic 05
October 10th, 2011
8:48 am
John Lewis is living in the past.
If he were White he would be unemployed.
Vote for Obama cause he's black
October 10th, 2011
8:56 am
John Lewis cannott be taken seriously.He is only a token congressman elected by an overwelmingly black district that has,as Herman Cain says “been brainwashed to vote for the democratic party”.The only time you hear about him is when he is joining the other irerelevant civil rights activists (Lowery,Sharpton,Jackson) to get an award at a ceremony,banquet.
These people are out of touch with young people.They merely “exist”,do absolutely nothing to address the horrors going on in the black community.
They are not wanted by young blacks,or whites at any gathering,protest.The occupy wall st. group would more likely identify with someone like Cornell West and Tavis Smiley.
Tom Smith
October 10th, 2011
8:58 am
If morons could fly this place would be an airport
Rev. Lester
October 10th, 2011
8:59 am
The most active thing I can do is wait. The more we move and shout, the less we are heard. All the noise becomes but chattering doldrums and tinkling cymbals. Today find one person, invest compassion, and encourage them to do the same. I will never change the world, my challenge is not allowing this world to change me.
John Lewis (John Lewis) can’t speak (can’t speak) at #OccupyAtlanta : The Reid Report
October 10th, 2011
9:00 am
[...] dis got the group called out by none other than Russell Simmons, who supports the Occupy movement, though Lewis was basically cool about it. He is, after all, a [...]
Jennifer
October 10th, 2011
9:03 am
The ignorance and poorly cloaked racism in these comments is astounding. Look up his voting record and review this mans history and accomplishments. Then come back here and try to claim he’s “part of the problem” or irrelevant. Fools. I fully support the Occupy movement, but if this is a reflection on how it will proceed, it’s doomed for failure and that would be a very sad thing.
Steve Belzer
October 10th, 2011
9:03 am
I think a lot of people are misunderstanding what happened here. They did not say he couldn’t speak. They said that he had to wait until the floor was open to everybody before he could speak- that he couldn’t be given a special slot to speak because of his status as a respected civil rights leader and elected official. This was not a dis- this was the exercise of truly egalitarian and democratic process.
Drew
October 10th, 2011
9:04 am
I love to see the looney left dissing themselves. And chanting like myrmidons. Keep it up, gang.
Penny
October 10th, 2011
9:08 am
These are, without a doubt, the biggest freaks and losers I have ever seen in my lifetime. Just look at them! They must be the offspring of the hippies…people who think they are owed something simply because they were born. Go get a job people!!! You aren’t entitled to anything except maybe air!!
Atlanta Allen
October 10th, 2011
9:11 am
C. Tampa – I am not a fan of Mr. Lewis’ political positions or of people who choose not to speak clearly. BUT it is not a choice for him. Before you criticize Mr. Lewis’ speech, go get hit in the head standing up for your basic human rights and the rights of others like he did. See how well you can speak after a head injury. I think his positions of late are misguided, but no one can deny his heroic past.
Worm
October 10th, 2011
9:16 am
These folks make the Tea Party crowd look like brain surgeons.
Melvin Udall
October 10th, 2011
9:17 am
He voted for the bank bailouts and other bailouts of Wall Street firms. He should be voted out of office….period.
ron
October 10th, 2011
9:20 am
I’m sure the snub did not have anything to do with Mr.Lewis being a civil rights icon but rather he’s a representative of the U.S. Congress which is an integral part of the economic problems along with Wall Street as well as the White House.
26belly
October 10th, 2011
9:29 am
@C. Tampa I…take your transplanted Yankee @$$ back north of Kentucky where you came from. If you don’t like or see the benefit of the sacrifices that Rep. Lewis has made to society and this country,…then stand your punk, colonial bread @$$ on the corner of Peachtree and Ponce and see how long you last in the ATL. Grow up, you’re faceless on the internet, no body gives a hairy rats @$$ about your opinion or what you think you have to contribute! Heel!
dinkdunk
October 10th, 2011
9:31 am
The video was “laugh out loud” funny. Sort of George Orwell meets kindergarten class. It was really strange how angry that “leader dude” seemed to get when telling Lewis he’d have to wait until they achieved consensus. I wonder how many of them took a break Sat night to go see Widespread in Alpharetta-some of them looked (and smelled) familiar.
Riddle me this: If the group came to a consensus that they should get a rope and “hang someone from the highest tree” and no one “blocked it” would they do that?
dform
October 10th, 2011
9:32 am
The people at all of these occupy Wall Street events across the country are being propped up by George Sorros, and his communist/Marxist/socialist views and desire to change the country into a communist state. Wake up America. The kids here are brainwashed. The brain washing is happening in our public schools and colleges and universities. Some are being paid to be in these rallies.
Our country is in deep trouble. Our media is not doing it’s job to give true unbiased information to Americans. They are involved as well. This is a very scary time in our country as we have too many who do not understand our County’s history or founding documents. Wake up!!! Dig deep into what is really happening and don’t rely on the news on TV to let you know what is really happening.
John
October 10th, 2011
9:40 am
John Lewis, Idiot Reid and any other Democrat or
Republican who has been in office more then 2 terms
is the main reason we are in this economic mess!
Vote these guys out… Term limits please….
LOL
October 10th, 2011
9:43 am
@dinkdunk – LMAO “Sort of George Orwell meets kindergarten class.” That is the PERFECT description of those unwashed and brainwashed morons out there.
I’m actually very happy to see these ‘protests’ around the country. They remind the rest of America how completely socialist and lazy liberals are. Liberalism is like herpes. You forget how bad it is until it comes back.
MomPossible
October 10th, 2011
9:47 am
So, a big group of idiots with an entitlement mentality wouldn’t listen to a big idiot with an entitlement mentality?
Tea Partier
October 10th, 2011
9:48 am
Term Limitations !
Venita Peyton
October 10th, 2011
9:50 am
The problem with many of our black Congressional reps in the ‘black’ community is that they refuse to step down and allow a new generation to bring new ideas to the table.
Kareem
October 10th, 2011
10:01 am
Down with the white man!
Dr. Awesome
October 10th, 2011
10:11 am
“The people at all of these occupy Wall Street events across the country are being propped up by George Sorros, and his communist/Marxist/socialist views and desire to change the country into a communist state.”
Wow, that’s some claim. Got any proof?
Ashley
October 10th, 2011
10:17 am
John Lewis is a Moron. He can barely even speak English.
H
October 10th, 2011
10:18 am
If these losers spent as much time organizing these dumb rallies as they would looking for a job, they wouldn’t be unemployed.
Montel
October 10th, 2011
10:18 am
The occupy atlanta people are racists for not letting John Lewis speak! There is way too much racism down here against African-Americans! I may move back to jersey next year if the economy improves up there.
JWC
October 10th, 2011
10:20 am
Thank God for freedom of speech and video camera. America, you HAVE to watch this video. OMG. I laughed until I cried. It reminded me of the scene in the movie, Animal House (”I, state your name”). Absolutely, priceless. ….and the hands in the air. Were they voting or waving to the mother ship? OK, Space Cadets, please, please, please keep this up. Obama’s poll numbers will drop like a rock. The “Tea Baggers vs. the “Tin Hats”.
Seer
October 10th, 2011
10:23 am
Those of you who feel so smugly self-righteous to criticize OWS protesters for how they look or for not having jobs (as though they were easily gotten like low-hanging fruit) don’t realize that every revolution has started with the ossified (bet you have to look that word up, smuggers) lords of the status quo making similar criticisms of those who are not happy with it. You can criticize until the day they take the top dog position and you’re on the bottom. Better start taking them seriously now, since they aren’t going to stop thinking that the 1% can go on raping this nation as they please. With the unions, clergy, and increasing number of CEOs who ‘get it’ like the head of PIMCO speaking out on their side, they will steamroller the status quo. Your choice is whether to make it clean or messy. And by messy I mean bloody, since that is always where things go in a revolution where those who hold the status quo resist. These aren’t communists any more than your unemployed aunt is: they’re legitimate people with legitimate complaints and they know it.
The Bam
October 10th, 2011
10:24 am
They’ll all go away once it starts raining.
Too bad Rep Lewis couldn’t speak, but the “occupiers” wanted to beat their drums and chant. Not listen to a respected civil rights warrior.
It’s also a shame that Mr Simmons, Jay Smooth, and other “RICH” black CAPITALISTS are on board when they’re the ones keeping their race from progressing.
Seer
October 10th, 2011
10:25 am
Oh and one more thing. This isn’t about Obama OR the Republicans. They all know that the Republicans AND the Democrats caused this economic mess (Rememember Clinton repealed Glass-Steagall.) It’s a referendum on the 1%, not your favorite politicial whipping-boy.
What do you expect
October 10th, 2011
10:28 am
@James ~ your first post was my original thought at well.
What?
October 10th, 2011
10:28 am
i dont get it…I DONT GET IT…will you help me understand?…WILL YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND?…is this like simon says?…IS THIS LIKE SIMON SAYS?…if so…IF SO…i get it…I GET IT..or…OR…i have…I HAVE…the only…THE ONLY…megaphone…MEGAPHONE
Jim Skol
October 10th, 2011
10:29 am
What is left when the left does not let the left speak, join the tea party
Charles Rangel
October 10th, 2011
10:30 am
Well you see, John Lewis and I fulfill an important function. Were black, ya see. And because of this fact, were the only one’s that can be black.. Which is why I’ve been serving in the Congress for over 35 years. And that’s why I say thank god for slavery because it’s allowed me to have a pity-my-sorry-azz because I’m black career in congress for 35 years now. Much like my good friend, my black friend, John Lewis.
ginny
October 10th, 2011
10:31 am
Come on C. Tampa….John Lewis is only trying to hep the chillren
Save the USA from itself
October 10th, 2011
10:33 am
1. Balanced Budget Amendment
2. Term Limitations for congressman & senators
3. Enact a flat tax so everybody has to pay into the system; no exemptions or loopholes
4. American English will be the national language. No signage or forms will be printed in any other language.
5. All Church-owned property with the exception of the worship sanctuary will be subject to property tax
6. Lawyers cannot run for high office
Observant
October 10th, 2011
10:34 am
The more these celebrities speak out the more we learn how bigoted and racist they are like Spike Lee, Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson, Morgan Freeman and other black leaders such as the Congressional Black Caucus. This is not about black,white, Hispanic or other races, its about how some corporations manipulate the system, buy off politicians whom give them perks or advantages over other businesses such as small businesses. GE paid zero taxes on several billion $$$$ of profits yet the Obama administration has the president of GE advising him even though GE has reduced employment in the US and hires more people internationally specifically China. GE also is involved in a venture with China that has the potential to compromise US military avionics technology, why? Because China is a huge market for GE, forget the US security interest, its about $$$$$. John Lewis is a civil rights hero like Joseph Lowery but they have bigotry in their blood because of past issues with race relations.
Georgia Tech Student
October 10th, 2011
10:34 am
Our Civil Rights class tried for months to get him to visit but got totally ignored by his local office. It took my friend in the US Capitol walking down the hall to Lewis’ Chief of Staff to even show up on the radar. A week after the semester was over his office asked if we were ready for him to visit. How totally clueless and out of touch can he get !!! John Lewis did much to advance Civil Rights many years ago but as a US Representative he has lost contact with his constituency.
Korean Man
October 10th, 2011
10:35 am
Why you guys so angry all the time. We work hard and do well, except when you guys rob our stores and kill my grandfather. You keep yourself down and blame everyone else. People no listen no more. We tired of your complaining. Get your act together. It’s been 50 years and you guys still not worth a bowl of rice. What wrong with you?
AngryVoter
October 10th, 2011
10:38 am
@Jennifer – The man who was once Majority Whip is very much part of the problem. He embodies the problem. He couldn’t be anymore a poster child for the problem than Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid or Mitch McConnell. He is and has been part of the leadership of the problem. At best, he’s ineffectual and unable to lead for change, in which case he should step aside. At worst, he is a gas torch among many gas torches in DC that light the flames that cause the problem.
There is no way you can paint John Lewis as anything but part of the problem. The fact he wants to address the crowd indicates he is clueless about what the crowd is communicating. He just doesn’t get it.
He may be a hero for what he accomplished forty years ago. We are a better society because of what he did. That does not give him a pass for being part of the group that put us in this mess. Don’t cheapen the claim or racism by blanketing on anyone who views this accomplished man as part of the problem. When you do that, it makes it harder to combat racism when it really happens.
Don Calhoun
October 10th, 2011
10:38 am
Truly pathetic. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at their tremendous lack of intelligence. No, wait, I’ll laugh.
Occupy Atlanta Protesters Use ‘Assembly’ Rules to Prevent Rep. Lewis From Speaking – Fox News | Anything Political
October 10th, 2011
10:41 am
[...] interminably frustrated by the arcane ways of the Senate. At an Occupy Atlanta protest, …John Lewis not miffed by “Occupy Atlanta” disAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 28 news [...]
Mike
October 10th, 2011
10:48 am
“Orwell Meets Kindergarten Class” – perhaps “Lord of the Flies” would be more apt? Same concept, less bathing.
I don’t know if George Soros is financial supporting any of this, but I wonder if the people complaining about greedy corporations disrupting the democratic process have the same feelings about a hedge fund executive paying for moveon.org.
Vote for Obama cause he's black
October 10th, 2011
10:57 am
Ok,blacks,women,attained their civil rights 40 years ago,right ? So things are supposed to be better,right ?
Whites even voted in a black president and they still won’t shut up.
John Lewis,Jessie Jackson,Al Sharpton,Joseph Lowery and all your supporters,I have a few questions.
Why are 72% of black babies born out of wedlock in 2011 ?
Why do blacks make up only 16% of the U.S. population but make up 65% of the prison population ?
Why are their more black men in prison than in college ?
Why are their more hispanics in college than blacks ?
Why do 55% of the new HIV cases comprised of black women ?
What are you and your community activists going to do about these facts ? Get on that !
How about all the young black men with their pants on the ground ? You can’t even stop that . Lol !
I think the Occupy protesters would rather hear from Kanye West.
Shame on you
October 10th, 2011
10:58 am
@Korean Man October 10th, 2011 10:35 am
Who the h*ll are you calling YOU PEOPLE? You don’t even belong in this country until you learn the english language. YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM with your racist attitude. You come to this country and think that you are better than we are. White people don’t like you either. THEY LAUGH BEHIND YOUR BACK BECAUSE OF THE WAY YOU TALK. Learn correct english and maybe we can have a decent conversation. AND WHAT IS THAT STINKING ODOR THAT WE SMELL EVERYTIME WE COME INTO ONE OF YOUR STORES. IT IS THE SMELL OF RACISM.
You say- “People no listen no more.” YOU DAMN RIGHT PEOPLE NO LISTEN TO YOU NO MO. GO BACK TO KOREA WHERE YOU BELONG.
Enough
October 10th, 2011
10:58 am
These people can not relate to John Lewis! They need someone that is relatable to them, that can lead this new movement. I am black and although I appreciate John Lewis for all the sacrifices that he made many years ago and currently in congress. He is not a great speaker, every time I hear him speak, it sounds like he is preaching. I don’t want to feel like im being yelled at! I go to church on sunday for a great sermon.
NO FREAKNIK BUT YES TO BLACK & WHITE GAYNIK
October 10th, 2011
11:03 am
EVIL REDNECK WHITES,YOUR TIME OF DOING EVIL IS ALMOST UP!
Truth Be Told
October 10th, 2011
11:04 am
@Vote for Obama cause he’s black October 10th, 2011 10:57 am
We don’t give a rats A** about what you think are say. DONT VOTE FOR OBAMA WHO GIVES A SH*T?
Keep your racist remarks for your klan rally. You are a racist, ignorant, trailer park trash, meth smoking, lice infected, dog smelling, flea infected, boo boo smelling piece of trash.
Relentless
October 10th, 2011
11:05 am
Its a good thing #JOHNLEWIS didn’t get to speak. He should not support this group of crybaby/neardowells. The “stand-out” here is a young person crying “I just wanna be heard!” LOSER! There are many ways to “be heard” especially when it comes to such issues. The key is to say something important, back it up with action/evidence, and stand by your position. This protest is Vague and mostly unsupported. #getajob
Prophet
October 10th, 2011
11:11 am
come quickly Lord Jesus!
NO FREAKNIK BUT YES TO BLACK & WHITE GAYNIK
October 10th, 2011
11:11 am
I THANK GOD THAT THE BLACK JESUS IS ON THE WAY BACK TO KILL THE RACIST EVIL WHITEMAN!
JESUS SAID THE 1ST SHALL BE THE LAST,AND THE LAST SHALL BE 1ST
IF JESUS IS COMING BACK TO FIGHT AGAINST EVIL? THEN IT IS THE WHITEMAN THATS BOMBING AND KILLING EVERYBODY OF COLOR,REMEMBER THE ANTI-CHRIST IS GOING TO BE SOME WHITEMAN COMING FROM EUROPE!
THE WHITEMAN BOMBS PEOPLE OF COLOR WHO CAN ONLY FIGHT WITH STICKS AND ROCKS!
THE WHITEMAN KILLS BABIES AND THE ELDERLY WITH HIS BOMBS!
THE WHITEMAN IS THE ONLY SERIAL KILLER IN THE WORLD!
THE WHITEMAN IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CHOPS UP HIS OWN WOMEN AND MEN AND EAT THEM!
THE WHITEMAN IS THE ONLY ONE THAT WORSHIP SATAN!(LOOK AT THE MUSIC HE LISTEN TO)
THE WHITEMAN IS GETTING READY TO TRY TO FIGHT AGAINST GOD AND THE BLACK JESUS,BUT THE CRACKER WILL LOSE!
david addams
October 10th, 2011
11:14 am
2012 – “O” has gotta go…………………..
Southern Hospitality
October 10th, 2011
11:14 am
White people will continue to be white and ascribe to their white supremacist attitudes and philosophies. It doesn’t matter if they are flying a rebel flag or are tree huggers they are still the same. Their attitude of white supremacy has been engrained in them since they first stepped foot in the Americas (ask the Native Americans) What Occupy Atlanta did was not only disrespectful but showed a lack of class and ignorance to the contributions that Congressman John Lewis has made to the civil rights of all people. I will not support Occupy Atlanta, I still support the efforts of Occupy Wall Street. By the way, please do not talk about pulling the race card, white people have had the entire deck since they immigrated here. On a side note, since white people in America are immigrants or descendants of immigrants does the new immigration law apply to them? Just food for thought…..
The Bloody Pitbull
October 10th, 2011
11:15 am
@Logic 05 October 10th, 2011 8:48 am
WHAT PLANET ARE YOU FROM? You say -”John Lewis is living in the past. If he were White he would be unemployed.”
GIVE ME A BREAK YOU DUMBA**. There are more black people unemployed than white people.
PUT DOWN THE METH PIPE AND COME BACK TO REALITY AND STOP TELLING LIES!
LegalAngel
October 10th, 2011
11:19 am
When are ALL the politians going to realize that they ARE the problem regardless of race. Everybody in America is hurting in one form or another and it is because of the greed and in-fighting of ALL politians. If the government would stop trying to help us, the American people would have solved this a long time ago.
curious
October 10th, 2011
11:19 am
With no true disrespect intended, I would bet most black youth have not even heard of John Lewis.
The Bloody Pitbull
October 10th, 2011
11:20 am
@david addams October 10th, 2011 11:12 am
You can take your white racist a## to the back of the bus. I tell you what – I bet your stinking a## will be in the back of the bus before John Lewis you dumb a## redneck.
YOU PEOPLE THNK YOU GOT PROBLEMS NOW TRY TO PUT ANY BLACK PERSON IN THE BACK OF THE BUS!
ALL HELL IS GOING TO BREAK LOOSE!!!! JUST TRY IT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. WE ARE NOT THE GENERATION THAT TOOK YOUR SH*T. YOU DON’T WANT TO GO THERE BUDDY.
High Comedy
October 10th, 2011
11:23 am
“Boo boo smelling piece of trash” – quote of the day by Truth Be Told. Keep this up, folks. There’s gold here. Gold, I tell ya.
The Bloody Pitbull
October 10th, 2011
11:24 am
@curious October 10th, 2011 11:19 am
YOU PEOPLE NEED TO PUT DOWN THE METH PIPE. I BET YOU ARE WRONG. 99% of black children have heard of John Lewis because his name is always mentioned along with Martin Luther King, Jr. GIVE ME A BREAK PEOPLE. STOP SAYING THINGS YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT.
PUT DOWN THE METH PIPE, PLEASE.
V
October 10th, 2011
11:31 am
Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a bygone vexation stands vivified and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition! The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it’s my very good honor to meet you and you may call me “V”.
Enough
October 10th, 2011
11:34 am
The point is, that they DON’T want to hear from John Lewis. At the end of the day he still is a politician. They don’t want to hear from these people period. Some of the 99% or OCCUPY ATLANTA principles are based, on the fact that corporate america has bought and sold politicians including Wall Street.
Jennifer Brett
October 10th, 2011
11:40 am
That’s enough out of you “The Bloody Pitbull.”
I’ve removed your most recent comment and banned you from the blog. Differing opinions are fine. Obscene racist comments are not.
Jennifer
Jennifer Brett
October 10th, 2011
11:41 am
V: That was “very” impressive. I bet you’re good at Scrabble.
Jennifer
Vote for Obama cause he's black
October 10th, 2011
11:42 am
@ Truth Be Told . Typical angry black man response.Nobody said anything evil about black people.These are simple facts you can look up on your google search bar.Go to google.com if you don’t have one.You can study the facts and discuss them with your pastor,fellow parishoners at church,civil rights leaders.Calling people racist,bringing up the past,talking about slavery will not solve the problems that are accurate on a google search.Emotions aside,these problems that terrorize the black community and fellow american citizens,neighbors,need to be taken care of,so please step up.
Playing the race card only makes you look like a buffoon in the Tyler Perry fashion.
Please answer the questions,calmly,with a postive response.
Word to the mother.
Observant
October 10th, 2011
11:47 am
Southern Hospitality
October 10th, 2011
11:14 am
White people will continue to be white and ascribe to their white supremacist attitudes and philosophies. It doesn’t matter if they are flying a rebel flag or are tree huggers they are still the same. Their attitude of white supremacy has been engrained in them since they first stepped foot in the Americas (ask the Native Americans)
================================================================
If you go to any HBCU, anyone along with many churches you will get the same message as redneck except its black nationalism or supremacy instead of white supremacy. Hate whites, republicans., tea party people and Obama is the greatest thing since JFK. I even heard Obama being compared to Jesus$##@!!!! and his failure is the white man’s fault. Just go visit one day and hear the rhetoric by this 1960 reject professors and their socialist agenda brainwashing these students and church members, white people, “they are our problem and we need to embrace African heritage and traditions because Africa is the single source of civilization and power”.
What a sick culture!!!!
V
October 10th, 2011
11:50 am
Jennifer, mainly I read and listen to music. Vi veri universum vivus vici.
Justus
October 10th, 2011
11:56 am
Hang on folks. It’ll be winter soon and all these kids will pack up and go back to Mom and Dad’s basement where it’s nice and toasty warm. All of this will blow over as soon as it becomes uncomfortable for them to protest. At least it’s raining today. Maybe it’ll wash a little stink off those kids.
Jennifer Brett
October 10th, 2011
11:56 am
And let me see if I can guess your favorite restaurant in Atlanta…Veni Vidi Vici perhaps?
Jennifer
Hosea Williams
October 10th, 2011
12:04 pm
Hey, John Lewis
I got hit in the head with a brick, not you
Captain Midnight
October 10th, 2011
12:04 pm
Who’s the guy with the bullhorn, Jim Jones?
ConfuZed Reader
October 10th, 2011
12:09 pm
Jennifer,
Please help us understand.
You were offended by the controversial comment by “The Bloody Pitbull” but you are apparently okay with the equally (or even more so) racist/controversial/offensive comment @ 11:11 am that still appears as of this post ???????
Jennifer Brett
October 10th, 2011
12:11 pm
Hang on, I’ll check that one out..
Jennifer
V
October 10th, 2011
12:14 pm
Ahhhhhh, Jennifer, verily…..
Jennifer Brett
October 10th, 2011
12:15 pm
Hi again – I think the comment you are referring to is the one I removed. You can email me any time about comments in this blog or others if you think they should be removed: jbrett@ajc.com. I try to monitor with a relatively light hand so all opinions can be included but blatantly offensive, racist, sexist, homophobic comments or profanity get the boot.
Jennifer
ConfuZed Reader
October 10th, 2011
12:24 pm
Hi, Jennifer.
Seriously, no one at the AJC sees anything wrong whatsoever with the still-appearing, offensive post by “NO FREAKNIK BUT YES TO BLACK & WHITE GAYNIK” at 11:11 am ????
NOTHING ???
If that is the case, I think I now see why my parents cancelled their AJC subscription and still complain about how out of touch it is with the public it claims to service.
OCCUPY will only get bigger.....
October 10th, 2011
12:27 pm
How did Occupy turn into a racist shouting match. Those protesters are all shades, sizes, ages, genders, religions, the educated, the dropouts, the employed, the unemployed, and all cultures. The message is simple for those on here who want to call these folks “losers”. Corporations and lobbyists own Washington. THE 99% who are fed up with it are sick of billion dollar tax breaks to these GREEDY CEO’s who ship our jobs to China and India. I was one of those statistics when I was employed at a very well known global cosmetics company when the CEO, who remains one of America’s highest paid in both categories of plain CEO and Women CEO’s, decided to eliminate ALL CSR jobs in the U.S. and move the call center to India. And at the end of the day, not only did she and her CRONY members on her board and fellow executives get to KEEP their job, they got ANOTHER record BONUS in the deal! WHAT don’t you entitled spoiled 1% not understand about these protests? No more corporate tax breaks. No more sending our jobs to other countries. We bailed out the banks but they have turned their A$$ up at us when individuals and small businesses try and get a loan. Yet they have the gall to take ANOTHER $5.00 from each month as we use our OWN money when we use our debit card?
V
October 10th, 2011
12:44 pm
All you people complaining about the government amuse me. If you’re looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror.
Jennifer Brett
October 10th, 2011
1:10 pm
Occupy: Lots of blogs turn into racist shouting matches. I don’t know why. It’s depressing.
Jennifer
Jennifer Brett
October 10th, 2011
1:19 pm
ConfuZed, I am not finding that one. It may have been removed already. There are several of us who monitor comments.
Jennifer
Karl
October 10th, 2011
1:24 pm
If anyone would like to hear more from Jennifer, you can listen to an interview at the Daily National, http://dailynational.com/2011/10/10/interview/
Vote for Obama cause he's black
October 10th, 2011
1:27 pm
Jennifer…It is thee,one,and only defense of liberals,democrats,that support the left.I simply state facts supported by google,not from a racist point of view and the black people on this blog do all the shouting,screaming.These blogs are supposed to be a healthy way to discuss the stories on the AJC.This paper seems to coddle the black community,does nothing to stop the screaming.Atlanta will never move forward until the black community is willing to openly discuss the real issues of today without playing the race card.The AJC needs to step up and promote the discussion.
Daniel
October 10th, 2011
1:36 pm
can we please get off the issue of race? we are all in the same boat here, dont you get that?
maybe the occupy groups do have it wrong, but things in this country need to change. and those changes wont be made by blogging, voting, or just sitting around hating each other.
if you have a better idea then get off your comp and take it the the streets.
dont hate on these people just because all of you are cowards to scared to risk anything.
lead, follow, or get out of the way.
T bone
October 10th, 2011
2:05 pm
Can we also ask /demand the 1 % for free beer & weed while we are at it?
C
October 10th, 2011
2:17 pm
@Montel- you and some others on here are totally OUT…OF…TOUCH!
Sting Ray Juice
October 10th, 2011
2:46 pm
His is part of the establishment and therefore part of the problem. DOWN WITH THE CAPITALIST PIGS!
Vince
October 10th, 2011
3:21 pm
Wow! As Much as i disagree with Rep Lewis and all of his politics, the lack of disrespect shown for someone who has really “fought the fight” already is truly amazing.
IMO, these lazy, whining, give me give me, life is unfair protestors could use a brick or two over the head. Perhaps they will feel what its like to have “REAL OPPRESSION” forced upon you like lewis had, instead of whining that the student loans THEY decided to take out are too much to pay back.
Al Dorman
October 10th, 2011
3:41 pm
Who cares what generic celebrities have to say? These folks had an agenda and their own rules. Just because some government official stops in doesn’t mean they drop everything. Rep. Lewis understands this, by the way.
Jen
October 10th, 2011
4:23 pm
It’s not that they didn’t want to hear from them. It’s a mixed crowd. Some did, some didn’t. They were going to wait until they had open floor time (because they have a schedule to follow) but John Lewis didn’t have time to wait that long. They have welcomed him back so he may return to speak at a later time. It just didn’t work out right then.
Bad Idea
October 10th, 2011
4:42 pm
A politician who has been part of congress for as long as Lewis has, regardless of his past historically important contributions, should of had enough introspection to understand he has been part of the team allowing the corporate takeover of American government over the last 3 decades. It was a bad idea trying to speak.
Ron Burgundy
October 10th, 2011
9:17 pm
John Lewis is a morally corupt racial profiteer just MLK The only civil ights peson with a moral compass was Rosa,.
Those occupiers need to pass out thr koolaid and do us afavor.
Ted
October 10th, 2011
9:33 pm
The AJC blogs are a cesspool where people freely and regularly spew their racist, sexist, and homophobic vitriol. Anyone who calls Atlanta “the city too busy to hate” is kidding themselves. Those of you who have spewed your racist bile on this blog ought to really be ashamed of yourselves. You’re a disgrace to humanity.
Carson
October 10th, 2011
9:58 pm
One of the advantages of life before the Internet was it made easier for me to pretend that there isn’t still plenty of venomously anti-black racism in this country… of course, it’s not just that, it’s all the anger and hate out there… I feel pity for some of you, your lives must be truly dysfunctional for you to have developed such warped views of the world.
Mike Hobgood
October 10th, 2011
11:01 pm
What”group”issued a statement?There is no group only a loosley knit clan of clueless people.
Jim Blanc
October 10th, 2011
11:04 pm
No wonder they didnt want John Lewis to speak.He is notorious for being extremely racist and their movement will be useless with him involved.
Sickened by AJC Hypocrisy
October 10th, 2011
11:14 pm
I am absolutely disgusted by the racist hypocrisy of this blog author to delete and ban the racism of ‘The Bloody Pitbull’ but to leave up and apparently encourage the racist, homophobic, anti-Christian posts of ‘No Freaknik but Yes to Black & White Gaynik’ that openly call for the murder of white people.
Apparently, the AJC only sees a problem with racism and hate when it targets anyone OTHER THAN whites & Christians.
Sickening.
AF
October 11th, 2011
9:06 am
The Occupy events are not about politicians joining in the debate. They have left us out of their debates for so long, that is why we needed to start something like this. So us regular people can have debate amongst ourselves. Also, celebrity/millionaires like Russell Simmons and Kanye West are part of the 1%. Apparently they don’t understand that regular people who are involved don’t want to see the movement co-opted by rich celebrities that want to use the events as publicity and exposure for their celebrity images.
With groups like Occupy Atlanta, the world hardly needs to invent comedy | Full Comment | National Post
October 11th, 2011
9:34 am
[...] authentic. Lewis, a civil rights hero, was on his way to a Pride parade when he stopped by to say a few words: “They didn’t really deny me,” Lewis said. The protestors decided he could return after their [...]
Kat
October 11th, 2011
10:27 am
I think it would have shown deference to a man who has given a lot (time, energy, etc) to this country to have allowed him to speak at this rally. It might, just might, have provided this group with some semblance of reality. Plus, the news shows might have covered the rally a bit more and gotten the word out. Whatever…no one ever said these people were smart.
Joe
October 11th, 2011
12:08 pm
No wonder these protesters don’t have jobs – they have no brains. God help us.
carla roqs
October 11th, 2011
1:12 pm
wow jennifer. what a snow storm.
carla roqs
October 11th, 2011
1:19 pm
and btw, korean man is not korean. why the heck do you guys allow yourselves to get pulled in???
getthesymbolism
October 11th, 2011
4:56 pm
This has not happened publicly this way in 50 years to a black person of his stature. To let it pass symbolizes more than the event itself. It means black people have taken their eyes off the prize. I submit that is because they are supposing that goals of other groups will help them achieve their aims. But they have not allowed this kind of disrespect to pass. Every black person from the civil rights generation has seen that situation and knows the feeling that crept into John Lewis. The Occupy group was clueless. Is this the end of an era?
I B Blackman
October 11th, 2011
6:28 pm
Big ups to the Occupy folks for not letting John Lewis speak. Congress, CEOs and a bunch of big wigs have been laughing at us for years. He shows up and wants to help, you’re on their time buddy. You thought you could just walk up there and say your piece when you are ready? These people had an agenda and you could wait. Oh, you didn’t wait? You had something more important? Well go do the way more important thing you had and we’ll continue with our agenda. Maybe, the Occupiers will show up at your more important event and you will let them interrupt to say what they have to say. That’s not going to happen? Didn’t think so. Keep going 99%!!
carla roqs
October 12th, 2011
8:16 am
they are not 99%
*Pondering*: The Democratic Process #occupyATL #occupywallstreet #occupytogether | Amanda Michelle Jones
October 13th, 2011
1:48 am
[...] i think this just highlights one of the challenges in maintaining community. in the end, john lewis has graciously said that he’s not dismayed. while i, too, understand what happened, i can’t say i feel the [...]
This Is What #Democracy Looks Like: John Lewis and #OccupyAtlanta « Tragic Farce
October 13th, 2011
11:43 am
[...] the previously agreed to agenda remained in effect and Lewis was unable to interrupt. Lewis himself humbly accepted the Assembly’s [...]