We stand with our community

This week, again, we find ourselves heartbroken and devastated by the death of another black man at the hands of a system meant to protect and to serve. This occurrence hits very close to home; Rayshard Brooks was shot and killed in Peoplestown, our own community. 

This, of course, has had a profound effect on our neighbors and friends. Members of our staff and volunteers call this neighborhood home. In this time of deep pain for our community, we re-commit to listening to and lifting up their voices. 

Last weekend, in response to Rayshard Brooks’ death, representatives of NPU-V, of which Peoplestown is a part, met to develop a thorough list of demands to present to Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. I was part of that conversation and I pledged, on behalf of Emmaus House, to support resident-led initiatives and to help amplify the voices of community members. 

Included in the list of demands is the passing of the proposed Hate Crime bill, banning the use of chokeholds by police, requiring a significant presence of community members on the hiring committee for the next police chief, and extending Academy training to include community policing engagement. (Read the full list of demands on the NPU-V site.)

We urge the Mayor to listen carefully and consider the voices of the people who live in this community. Emmaus House stands with them. We echo the voice of Bishop Rob Wright, who called in his statement this week for the reimagining of policing in Atlanta and our country.

We will continue to advocate for our neighbors until the scourge of racism is eliminated from our country. We will work towards equity, justice, and peace for our Black brothers and sisters, and we will continue to proclaim that Black Lives Matter.

Greg Cole

Executive Director