Protest opposes Laney-Walker change
Sara Caldwell/ Staff
A sign from this morning's protest
Staff Writer
Shouting “We will not let MCG take our black heritage,” a couple dozen protesters lined Laney-Walker Boulevard early today to protest a proposal by Georgia Health Sciences University to close a two-block section of the road to create a pedestrian mall to honor the road’s two namesakes.
GHSU President Ricardo Azziz, however, said that no one from the protest has tried to talk to him about the issue and said the school is actually using a state grant to study narrowing the road instead.
Minister Janice Jenkins, however, said the community has had enough either way.
“We’re always doing the compromising,” she said.
Minister James Ivery, who lives in nearby Ervin Towers, said it could become a Civil Rights issue.
“You don’t alter a historic boulevard or street,” he said.
Last December, the university asked a committee of the Augusta Commission to consider closing the two-block section of Laney-Walker that dissects the campus in favor of creating a pedestrian mall and green space that would honor Lucy Craft Laney and Rev. C.T. Walker. The university is now using a state grant that came before Azziz’s arrival last year to look at narrowing the road from four lanes to two.
“We’re looking at that proposal to see if we can create something that would be acceptable to both the community and to our university to increase the safety as well as the beauty of that area,” he said. “So we’re looking at alternatives to try to work on a compromise with community leaders. But we have not actually heard much from the community leaders. One of the things I’m actually stricken by is how little any of those individuals, whoever it is that is protesting, has communicated with us. In fact that they’ve never communicated with us.”
..................................................................................................................................
A TRIBUTE TO RONNIE NEAL-JEFFERSON CO. GA. SCLC FREEDOM FIGHTER
This is a video tribute to a well known Jefferson Co. Ga. Chapter SCLC Freedom Fighter, Mr. Ronnie Neal, who is a unsung hero of the 1970 to the present civil rights struggle of Jefferson Co. Louisville Ga
May 21 2011.....August, Richmond Co. Ga. Library:
Jefferson Co. Ga. SCLC president, minister James Ivery is called to sit on panel in discussion of Racism in the community.
Discussing Racism is a serious and much needed issue to be addressed in all communities, it also takes a serious minded person or group to organize such a task, because this is not an issue to take lightly or an adressing that can bring about resolutions in one or two sessions, it is an on going process and issue.
Jo'Rae Jenkins is that person..."A woman that Augusta Ga. can count on."
Wadley Police Shoot, Kill Suspect
One man is dead after he was shot and killed by police officers, Friday night, in the small town of Wadley, Georgia.
Church leaders want the community to get involved to help battle crime in Richmond county.
The Cherry Tree Crossing Killing of a Black Youth by the Richmond Co. Ga. Sheriff Department!
Jefferson Co. Ga. and the Richmond Co. Ga. SCLC branches demands justice
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference marched through the Cherry Tree Crossing community to protest the shooting of Justin Elmore. It says Richmond County deputies overreacted and the group is demanding answers. The Sheriff say Elmore was a drug dealer and had drugs and weapons in his vehicle. Elmore more died Tuesday from his injuries. There have been several nights of unrest among residents following the shooting and Elmore’s passing. Count on Renita Crawford for the latest in this developing story.
Above Video shows the beginning that led up to the killing of Justin Elmore in Cherry Tree Crossing. Did Judd Try to run the officers over with his vehicle?? you be the Judge.