Commissioners delay supporting racial justice

Athens-Clarke County, Georgia Commissioners delayed making a formal statement of support for racial equity and economic justice in a chaotic meeting at city hall last week.

Emotions ran high as both the public and commissioners aired passionate concerns and long-standing grievances.

Read the article on AthensPoliticsNerd.com.

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TRANSCRIPT

Black residents packed city hall in Athens, Georgia demanding that the local government stand up for racial and economic justice in Trump’s second term.

“I urge the mayor and commission to see the injustices that occur every day in our city. 26 percent of our residents living below the poverty line, high rates of housing insecurity, Black and minority businesses struggling to thrive and secure funding, the increase in youth violence with limited third spaces and recreational activities.

“Today, we see widespread disparities, the loss of generational wealth and the continuous exclusion of certain groups from access to economic opportunity such that it impairs their upward mobility.”

“I’m not asking, I’m telling you. Housing as we know it, it absolutely takes advantage of the most vulnerable of our community.”

“Seeing is just the first step. I said, seeing is just the first step. And by not moving, you say that these issues are invisible to you.”

“This is Athens leadership. Y’all failing us. Y’all failing us. If y’all our leadership, then lead. Lead!”

“So tonight, I do ask that you do not turn back, do not delay. Stand with the people. Vote for this resolution and lets move forward together.”

But commissioners delayed stating their support for racial equity for at least two months.