John Lewis recalls ‘bitter fruits of segregation’ at Sessions hearing

Testifying against Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) at his confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) passionately told the committee how far the country has come in its fight for civil rights.

Lewis spoke about how he “tasted the bitter fruits of segregation and racial discrimination” in his youth in Alabama, growing up not far from Sessions, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general.

He said it took massive, well-organized, nonviolent dissents for black Americans to earn the right to vote.

“We were beaten, tear-gassed, left bloody, some of us unconscious. Some of us had concussions,” he said of the Selma to Montgomery march on March 7, 1965. Lewis helped organize the marches and was beaten by police on that day, which became known as “Bloody Sunday.”

“Some of us almost died on that bridge.”

{mosads}Now, Lewis said, “there are forces that want to take us back to another place.”

Democrats and outside groups have criticized Sessions and protested his nomination over allegations of racism, including purported remarks that sunk his 1986 nomination for a federal judgeship

“It doesn’t matter whether Sen. Sessions may smile or how friendly he may be, whether he may speak to you,” Lewis told the committee members on Wednesday.

“We need someone who will stand up and speak up and speak out for the people who need help, for people who are being discriminated against. And it doesn’t matter whether they are black or white, Latino, Asian or Native American, whether they are straight or gay, Muslim, Christian or Jews.  We all live in the same house, the American house.”

Lewis was one of three black members of Congress to testify against Sessions on the second and final day of his confirmation hearings. Sessions did not appear before the committee while his colleagues spoke against him.

Former U.S. Marshal Jesse Seroyer, who is black, offered a different take.

He said Sessions never investigated any white collar crimes, public corruption, voter fraud or criminal case with a political agenda or motive.

“The utmost respect and integrity was exercised for all individuals involved,” he said. “His services and decisions as attorney general earned him a reputation and respect among his colleagues.”

Seroyer said he’s known Sessions for 20 years.

“He’s a good and decent man,” he said, “He believes in law and order for all people.”

A floor vote on his nomination could come later this month.  

Updated 4:20 p.m.