Kemp filed a lawsuit on July 13 against Bottoms’ choice to return to the “phase one” guidelines, adding that the city’s mask requirements are “null and unenforceable.”
As reported, the Georgia Municipal Association agrees with the city that Kemp’s is trying to “usurp local control and autonomy authority” by preventing Atlanta and 100 other Georgia cities from taking additional measures beyond the Governor’s order.
This week’s initial hearing on Kemp’s lawsuit was postponed after two judges assigned to the case recused themselves. A third, Fulton Superior Court Judge Jane C. Barwick ordered the case to mediation on Thursday and will hold a hearing on Tuesday.
“It is not my desire as mayor of this city to have a very public fight with the governor of this state,” Bottoms said during a press conference on Thursday afternoon. “I would rather spend my energy leading our city through COVID-19.”
The group outside Kemp’s office was greeted by press secretary Cody Hall. With his hands folded in front of his waist and a mask over his face, Hall nodded as protesters explained why they wanted Kemp to rescind the lawsuit. They told him that they had been trying for days to get a response to his meeting request.
Hall overheard them and said Kemp and Bottoms had a productive conversation on Wednesday. Hall added that he would follow up to make sure his meeting request had been received.
07/23/2020 – Atlanta, Georgia – Michelle Sheffield (left) of Snellville talks to Cody Hall (right), Governor Brian Kemp’s press secretary, as she and others ask about the Governor’s moves not to impose masks all over the state and its lawsuit filed against Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms during a visit to the Georgia State Capitol Building in Atlanta, Thursday, July 23, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER / [email protected])
Credit: [email protected]
Credit: [email protected]
Michelle Sheffield, 54, told Hall that people are not just angry at Kemp for the masks. Sheffield said she applied for unemployment in April and has not yet received a check. She said her business has collapsed since the pandemic began and she has been making masks for additional income.
Although he lives in Snellville and is not a member of the brotherhood, Sheffield said he came Thursday because he wants to show Kemp that he cannot obstruct local authorities.
“If Keisha Lance Bottoms today, tomorrow could be Snellville,” he said.
07/23/2020 – Atlanta, Georgia – Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. members and other Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms supporters hold signs and chants outside the Georgia State Capitol Building to stand in solidarity and support the Mayor of Atlanta , Thursday, July 23, 2020. Mayor Bottoms is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Governor Brian Kemp issued a lawsuit against the Mayor of Atlanta because of his pressure to return his city to Phase 1 of reopening. (PUNTERO ALYSSA / [email protected])
Credit: [email protected]
Credit: [email protected]
Outside the Capitol there was a mass of women mostly dressed in crimson and cream, the colors of Delta Sigma Theta. Among them was Dr. Kimberly Manning, protesting in their dark red uniforms.
Manning, a Delta who graduated from Tuskegee University, said she tries to understand the position of people who are against masks, but as an internist in the Grady Hospital system she has seen the effects of the coronavirus up close.
She said she believes people would change their minds if they saw families who are unable to visit their loved one.
“It is not to protect you, it is an act of disinterest,” he said. “… That is not partisan.”
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