An Athens activist is considering a run for state office. In a media release, Mokah-Jasmine Johnson, President and Cofounder of the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement, says she has filed paperwork with the state’s Campaign Finance Commission to begin fundraising for a bid for a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives.
“After being an activist for several years, you know I’ve come to realize that a lot of the stuff we that advocate for on a local level, if it’s not passed on a state level we’re still going to have a hard time with making change,” according to Johnson.
Johnson is mulling running as a Democrat for the District 117 seat currently held by Republican Houston Gaines. She says she wants to make all citizens are represented.
“After watching the recent bills that were passed or almost passed, it just was concerning to me and I felt like you know, I want to try something different and I want to have a seat at the table and I want to speak up for people that have been left out of the process.”
District 117 covers parts of Clarke, Jackson, Barrow and Oconee counties.
The AADM has led successful campaigns to repeal cash bail for some misdemeanors in Clarke County, for the establishment of an anti-discrimination ordinance and plans for the creation of a Community Police Review Board.
