The Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement is holding a town hall meeting tonight at Hendershots. The group is requesting that city leaders allow members of the community to have a say when it comes to shaping future police policy in Athens-Clarke County.
Mokah Jasmine Johnson is the group’s cofounder.
“It’s just to open the opportunity to where we can possibly get some information about how to move forward and how we can also have input on this process. As citizens, we’re highly concerned one what should we expect for the future,” Johnson says.
Johnson says the meeting is aimed at building trust between members of the community, city leaders and police officers in the wake of former chief Scot Freeman’s departure.
“The purpose of this meeting is to basically gain clarity on what the future of Athens-Clarke County community policing is going to look like,” Johnson states. “Especially with all of the transitions that have occurred over the past couple of weeks—the fact that Chief Freeman is no longer with us and Gregory, which was also his right-hand man stepped down. And we know there could be some turmoil within the force.”
The event is co-sponsored by Athens for Everyone and Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition. It’s scheduled for 5 to 7 pm tonight.