Members of the community are invited to a meeting Monday evening focusing on community and police relations.
Athens mayor Kelly Girtz will join Several area nonprofits, community groups and other organizations for a Community Police Review Board Town Hall Meeting. Mokah Jasmine Johnson, President and Cofounder of the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement, says it’s been a long-time coming, but mayor Kelly Girts is moving ahead with plans to create the board.
“Yes, it’s been approved by Mayor Kelly Girtz, it’s going to happen and his goal is to have it rolled out in September,” according to Johnson.
“Based on a meeting that we had, I believe he’s going to create a task force first, to help gather more data from the community, what they want and things like that, and then create the official board based on those public inputs.”
She believes it’s important for participants/those attending to have input, as well as those from often, underrepresented segments of the community.
Those attending will have the chance to study similar boards around the country.
“I would like to see people from Bethel [Homes], people from east Athens, the communities that are impacted the most by law enforcement. I would love to see those people finally have a seat at the table.”
In addition to the AADM, Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition, the Racial Justice Task Force, and Athens for Everyone are also hosting the roundtable discussion.
The Townhall is 6 to 8 pm Monday evening at the ACC Library.
