As a gesture of support for the black people in my hometown community, I am calling on the governing bodies of the city to remove the Confederate monument that stands in our beloved square @Covington_Ga @NewtonCounty

I ask that everyone in support of this action to please spread the word and tag as many elected officials as well as persons of influence in this thread.

Please message me if you would like to help get this movement FINALLY off the ground and into action

UPDATE:

City and county meetings are being held via Zoom until at least mid-June.

I will be advocating for us tonight and tomorrow at the following:

Covington City Council Meeting:
TONIGHT AT 6:30
+1 929 205 6099
Meeting ID: 741-740-8400
https://zoom.us/j/7417408400 

Newton">https://zoom.us/j/7417408... Co. Board of Commissioners:
TOMORROW AT 7:00pm
+1 646 876 9923
Meeting ID: 974-1458-4205
https://zoom.us/j/97414584205 ">https://zoom.us/j/9741458...

Post Council Meeting Update (1/2):

I was given the space and time to speak uninterrupted. Council members thanked me for my words but told me it was a county matter to handle and directed me to the BOC meeting.

Post Council Meeting Update (2/2):

They are also all aware of my original tweet and said that it too was passed on to the BOC. It is very likely that they will be expecting me to speak at their meeting tomorrow night, so hopefully there will be some form of a rebuttal this time!

An excerpt from my speech this evening, for clarification on the objective of this movement:
Credits to @ratchramz for contributing this philosophy

An informative article about the recontextualization concept:
also a contribution from @ratchramz
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏾" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏾" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏾" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏾" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏾" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏾" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏾" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏾" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏾" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)">
https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/research/confederate-monuments">https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/research/...

Post BOC Meeting Update (1/2):

4/6 did not mention the statue in their rebuttal.

One of the other chairmen cited state laws that protect it from removal, as well as skepticism over room in the budget for such action

Post BOC Meeting Update (2/2):

The chairman’s main point in his rebuttal reflected the general consensus of the board, in that we are “One Newton [County]” and that we have worked very hard to become a place of inclusivity.

While I do believe that the city/county has come a long way from its roots, the concept of “One Newton” is not reflected in the protection of a mass-produced piece of revisionist history designed to erase the suffering that was the enslavement of black people.

SPEAKING of protest: There will be a peaceful demonstration on the square from 10am-3pm tomorrow. I do not know who organized it, but I do know that it has the proper permit and support from the city government as a legal gathering for those worried about their safety.

THIS IS HUGE!!! Way to set an example, Mayor Girtz https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤝" title="Handschlag" aria-label="Emoji: Handschlag">
https://twitter.com/historicathens/status/1268011059782262784?s=21">https://twitter.com/historica... https://twitter.com/HistoricAthens/status/1268011059782262784">https://twitter.com/HistoricA...

Loving this new trend https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👀" title="Augen" aria-label="Emoji: Augen">
https://twitter.com/wsbtv/status/1268291825909010433?s=21">https://twitter.com/wsbtv/sta... https://twitter.com/wsbtv/status/1268291825909010433">https://twitter.com/wsbtv/sta...

Let’s keep the ball rolling and join our fellow southern cities in making a statement to our future generations. Please take a moment to sign this petition. Thank you https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✊🏾" title="Erhobene Faust (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Erhobene Faust (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)"> https://www.change.org/Remove_AndRelocate">https://www.change.org/Remove_An...

Just had one of the commissioners that was originally silent in response to this movement, call me personally to give me their support and to offer help in any way they can. THEY ARE STARTING TO LISTEN. 1/6. Keep pushing.
https://twitter.com/_half_and_half/status/1268019313841246210?s=21">https://twitter.com/_half_and... https://twitter.com/_half_and_half/status/1268019313841246210">https://twitter.com/_half_and...

After meeting with the Chairman of the Newton County Board of Commissioners.... y’all things look GOOD. I mean REALLY good. There is still much more work to be done, but everything is falling into place https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤝" title="Handschlag" aria-label="Emoji: Handschlag">

A lil update for y’all:

The only thing standing in the way of getting the removal on the county agenda is a sure-fire way to get around the law that protects the statue. The county legal team has been in contact with the Mayor of Athens.

Fingers crossed https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤞🏾" title="Crossed fingers (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Crossed fingers (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)">

Update:

The county’s legal team is still deliberating with Athens. A LOT of progress has been made! Petition is looking HEFTY too https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👀" title="Augen" aria-label="Emoji: Augen">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✊🏾" title="Erhobene Faust (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Erhobene Faust (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)">

I will be speaking at the Newton Co. Board of Commissioners tonight. The meeting starts at 7pm, but it is likely that I won’t speak until much later.

You can tune in via zoom here https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏾" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)">:

646-876-9923
Meeting ID: 912 904 4041 https://zoom.us/j/9129044041 ">https://zoom.us/j/9129044...

Tonight, I am calling on the board members to put the removal and relocation onto the county agenda. With the context of the recent treatment of statues across the nation, relocation of the statue would be protected as an act of preservation (see lines 39-47 in Senate Bill 77)

Due to a combination of citizens’ comments being moved to the beginning of the meeting and the meeting itself going over time, there were no rebuttals. However, they weren’t needed. All we need now is for the commissioners to vote to put the matter into the agenda...

So, how do we help ensure that our local leaders take action on behalf of the community?

GET ON THAT PHONE AND LET EM KNOW https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🗣" title="Silhouette eines sprechenden Kopfes" aria-label="Emoji: Silhouette eines sprechenden Kopfes">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📱" title="Mobiltelefon" aria-label="Emoji: Mobiltelefon">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📞" title="Telefonhörer" aria-label="Emoji: Telefonhörer">

This is where you all can really make the difference!!!

Commissioners (by district) are as follows:

(1) Stan Edwards: (678) 294-9166

(2) Demond Mason: (678) 544-5212

(3) Nancy Schulz: (770) 337-7562

(4) J.C. Henderson: (770) 896-3826

(5) Ronnie Cowan: (678) 313-4607

Please remember to be respectful, and reference this call template if needed! Now we execute! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✊🏾" title="Erhobene Faust (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Erhobene Faust (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)">

It’s the first Tuesday of the month, so y’all already know I’m speaking at the Newton Co. BOC meeting tonight. We’re gonna discuss the 3/5ths Compromise and black people’s/women’s right to vote and own property (or lack-thereof).

For context, 4/6 members are black or a woman...

Y’ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL:

STATUE REMOVAL IS ON THE NEXT AGENDA

It’s not over, but we’ve forced the hand https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😤" title="Triumphierendes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Triumphierendes Gesicht">

The Board of Commissioners announced just before the weekend that they having an emergency meeting tomorrow night. It’s very likely a final decision will be made... https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👀" title="Augen" aria-label="Emoji: Augen">

end thread https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤝" title="Handschlag" aria-label="Emoji: Handschlag">

https://twitter.com/covnews/status/1283177849734811653?s=21">https://twitter.com/covnews/s... https://twitter.com/covnews/status/1283177849734811653">https://twitter.com/covnews/s...