Donald Trump Attacks John Lewis and Atlanta: Falling Apart, Crime Infested

ATLANTA, GA — Donald Trump has taken to his Twitter feed to attack Rep. John Lewis, an Atlanta Democrat and civil rights leader beaten by segregationists and arrested dozens of times while he led peaceful protests in the 1960s. Lewis had said in a Friday interview that Trump's presidential election wasn't legitimate, making claims of Russian influence in the election.

In his response Saturday morning, Trump also had harsh words to say about John Lewis' 5th Congressional District, which includes downtown Atlanta, along with surrounding communities — some impoverished, others affluent. Saying the congressman should spend more time helping his district, Trump referred to the area as being "in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested)."

Trump continued with another criticism of Lewis: "All talk, talk, talk — no action or results," Trump said. "Sad!"

In an interview with NBC on Friday, Lewis said he believed Russian influence had a hand in getting Trump elected. Asked about working with Trump, Lewis responded that it would be difficult. "I don't see this president-elect as a legitimate president," he said.

Lewis is the last surviving speaker from 1963 March on Washington, The Washington Post notes. The event is best known for Martin Luther King Jr.'s “I Have a Dream” speech.

Two years later, Lewis led the peaceful protect in Selma, Alabama, that would be remembered as "Bloody Sunday." Protesters were beaten severely by police on a Selma bridge.

Lewis suffered a fractured skull in the attack. "I was hit in the head by a state trooper with a nightstick," Lewis wrote last March on the anniversary of the attack. "I thought I saw death. I thought I was going to die."

Lewis was elected to his congressional seat in 1986.

Twitter's social media platform provides a variety of opinions — some far different from Trump. Reaction included references to this weekend's Martin Luther King Jr. holiday to honor work done in the name of civil rights.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, of California, wrote, "Ahead of #MLKday2017, let us remember that many have tried to silence @repjohnlewis over the years. All have failed."

Some Twitter users shared pictures from the civil rights era showing Lewis being injured and arrested. Others shared moments where the young man was marching peacefully for equality.

Residents of Lewis' district also had a lot to say about being dragged into this political fight.

"I know I live in the right place (when) Trump calls it a failure!" wrote Twitter user Peggy Schiller. "All Hail Atlanta! Thank John Lewis for years of service to freedom and democracy!"