Boy, did the mayor of Atlanta have a powerful message for the city’s rioters.
You’ve likely seen footage of those wreaking havoc on the iconic Georgia town in the aftermath of George Floyd’s terrible and deeply disturbing death. On Friday, a subsequent press briefing saw strong words from community and political leaders.
One such voice: ATL rapper and businessman Killer Mike — see Mike’s moving pleas to his fellow citizens amid RedState writer Nick Arama’s coverage here.
After Mike spoke, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms took to the podium and scalded those committing crime in the metropolis.
As noted by The Daily Wire, Keisha was to the point:
“It’s enough. We are all angry. This hurts. This hurts everybody in this room. But what are you changing by tearing up a city?”
Excellent question.
Atlanta Mayor Bottoms condemns rioters in fiery speech: "You are disgracing our city, you are disgracing the life of George Floyd" pic.twitter.com/QPCVkG0JIO
— BNO News (@BNONews) May 30, 2020
Keisha pointed out that destruction and theft work against any noble cause:
“You’ve lost all credibility now. This is not how we change America. This is not how we change the world.”
What’s more, the memory of George Floyd — as well as all those whose lives have been stolen — is dishonored by such shameful acts. And every agent of chaos needs to leave the streets at once:
“You are disgracing our city, you are disgracing the life of George Floyd and every other person who has been killed in this country. We are better than this. We are better than this as a city. We are better than this as a country. Go home! Go home!”
The mayor also was quick to make clear that all the looting and burning in the name of racial justice isn’t “protesting.” And that the mob is only obliterating small businesses, many of them owned by black citizens — whose lives will now be decimated.
Here’s more from the fiery, fed-up leader and mom:
“You’re not gonna out-concern me and out-care about where we are in America. … I pray over my children each and every day. So what I see happening on the streets of Atlanta is not Atlanta. … When Dr. King was assassinated, we didn’t do this to our city. … [T]his city, that has had a history of black mayors and black police chiefs, and people who care about this city…if you care about this city, then go home.”
The swarm of lawbreakers aren’t fighting for rights:
“You’re not honoring a legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the civil rights movement. You’re not protesting anything running out with brown liquor in your hands, breaking windows in this city. … You’re throwing knives at our police officers. You’re burning cars. … This is not the legacy of civil rights in America. This is chaos, and we’re buying into it. This won’t change anything. We’re no longer talking about the murder of an innocent man. We’re talking about how you’re burning police cars on the streets of Atlanta, Georgia.”
The mayor had a recommendation for those who actually want to see real change:
“[G]o and register to vote.”
She spoke to the anarchic horde like an angry momma. I know that tone; I’ve heard that tone, many times. It’s the sound of conviction. And anger. And righteousness.
Our leaders aren’t our parents, but Keisha Bottoms was right.
“This is not a protest,” she insisted. “A protest has purpose.”
Well said, Mayor Keisha.
-ALEX
See 3 more pieces from me:
Chaotic Explosion in Minneapolis Sees the Attack of a Knife-Wielding Woman in a Wheelchair (VIDEO)
Good: Trump Calls on the FBI and DOJ to Investigate the Death of Minneapolis Man George Floyd
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