The two Atlanta police officers charged in the shooting death of Rayshard Brooks turned themselves in to the Fulton County Jail on Thursday, June 18. Garrett Rolfe, the former officer charged with murdering Brooks, will make his first appearance to answer the 11 charges against him in a Fulton Magistrate Court judge at noon on Friday, June 19. He is being held without bond. Officer Devin Brooks, charged with aggravated assault, was booked on and released on a $50,000 signature bond. Brooks, who the two officers were arresting for DUI before a scuffle broke out, was fatally shot on the night of June 12 at the Wendy’s restaurant on University Avenue.
Dave Wilkinson, president of the Atlanta Police Foundation, announced June 18 that Atlanta Police Department officers would each receive a $500 bonus for the extra hours worked during the weeks of protest, according to a report in the AJC. The bonus is being provided through private donations, Wilkinson said. The bonuses come after reports of an officer walkout on the evening of June 17 in the wake of charges being filed against the officers in the Rayshard Brooks shooting. Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms acknowledged in an interview with CNN that same evening that :morale is down with police departments, and I think ours is down tenfold.”
Crews remove the obelisk from the Confederate Monument in Decatur (Courtesy Dean Hesse/Decaturish)
Decaturish was live on the scene just before midnight on June 18 as the Confederate “Lost Cause” monument was removed from the Decatur Square. The obelisk was erected in 1908 to, ostensibly, commemorate the soldiers, but now widely considered as relic of the Jim Crow-era and white supremacy. A judge recently ordered the removal of the Confederate monument from the square, calling it a public nuisance. Crowds cheered as a crane plucked the obelisk from its base, which will be removed by Friday morning.
Philanthropists Patty Quillin and Reed Hastings, chief executive of Netflix, have donated $40 million to the Morehouse College Student Success Program to establish a fund that will allow at least 200 students to graduate debt free. The history-making contribution is the largest gift to Morehouse College in the institution’s l53-year history and has contributed to a record year in which the college will raise more than $105 million.
Quillin and Hastings made the donation because they support Morehouse’s mission, which is to develop men with disciplined minds who are focused on academic excellence, leadership, and service. The philanthropists also wanted to invest in Morehouse’s work as the national epicenter for thought leadership on civil rights. The college is committed to helping the nation to address the inequities caused by institutional racism, which have created disparities in income, employment, health, housing, and educational opportunities for people of African descent.
The Morehouse College Student Success Program, launched in 2019 by the Morehouse Board of Trustees, is one step toward addressing the income gap for blacks, who have the lowest median net worth of any racial group, according to the U.S. Census. The debt-erasing Student Success Program scholarship allows Morehouse Men to pursue advanced degrees, start careers, and build wealth without being tethered to undergraduate student loan debt related to their education at Morehouse. Nationwide, students at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are more likely to graduate in debt because the schools disproportionately enroll students from low-income backgrounds who have to rely on federal student loans to pay for tuition.
Quillin and Hastings are also donating $40 million each to Spelman College and the UNCF, which advocates for the success and financial stability of HBCUs and their students. The philanthropists have been donating millions of dollars to impact issues of educational equity for 20 years.
“We’ve supported these three extraordinary institutions for the last few years because we believe that investing in the education of black youth is one of the best ways to invest in America’s future,” said Quillin and Hastings. “Both of us had the privilege of a great education and we want to help more students—in particular students of color—get the same start in life. HBCUs have a tremendous record, yet are disadvantaged when it comes to giving. Generally, white capital flows to predominantly white institutions, perpetuating capital isolation. We hope this additional $120 million donation will help more black students follow their dreams and also encourage more people to support these institutions – helping to reverse generations of inequity in our country.”
Under the Student Success Program, Morehouse can solicit and accept donations to reduce or eliminate the student loan debt of Morehouse Men. The first donation to the program was made by philanthropist Robert F. Smith, the visionary founder, chairman, and CEO of Vista Equity Partners. Smith donated $34 million to cover the costs associated with federal loans that students and the parents of the Class of 2019 accumulated to fund a Morehouse education. Those loans have since been paid off.
The donation will create the Dr. Michael L. Lomax Student Success Scholarship, named after UNCF chief executive and 1968 Morehouse graduate. The Student Success Program is comprised of scholarships and evidence-based research that will inform financial literacy programs and the impact of debt on household budgets.
America’s student loan debt—now more than $1.5 trillion, according to the U.S. Department of Education—can exacerbate the wealth gap that exists between black families facing generational poverty and other groups. Economic status can impact loan repayments making it difficult for black families to dig themselves out of debt, buy homes, and build wealth. According to UNCF research, 80 percent of HBCU students nationwide use federal loans to fund their education, compared to 55 percent of their peers at other private and state institutions. The average Morehouse student carries a student loan debt that is between $33,000 to $40,000. (Sixty percent of Morehouse students are eligible for federal Pell grants and live in a household with an income of $40,000 or below.)
“This life-changing gift from Patty Quillin and Reed Hastings will fund a new generation of Morehouse Men who will be prepared to use their talents to lead and shape America into the nation that it should be—a beacon of opportunity that respects and values the contributions of people of all races, genders, and backgrounds,” said David A. Thomas, President of Morehouse College. “I appreciate their generosity and confidence in Morehouse’s record as a voice for truth and justice for marginalized people in the world.”
Quillin and Hastings’ gift to HBCUs comes at a time of crisis for blacks in America. An international anti-racism movement led by Black Lives Matter, as well as students and alumni of HBCUs, is bringing global attention to the suffering of black families in the United States caused by incidents of police brutality and discriminatory practices of other institutions. The May 2020 U.S. jobs report shows that while the nation’s unemployment rate dropped to 13.3% and also declined for whites, the unemployment rose to 16.8% for the black population. National data also shows that blacks are disproportionately suffering from COVID-19 infections at a higher rate than any other group due to disparities in health care and are more likely to lose their jobs in the fallout.
“As the college of Martin Luther King Jr., we expect and train our students to take a stand in global issues impacting human rights,” President Thomas added. “The world needs Morehouse College to have a seat at the table to guide change in these challenging times.”
Hawkeye Systems, Inc., a technology holding company focused on pandemic management products and services, is pleased to announce its joint venture partnership with Ikon Supplies, of New York City. The joint venture will develop, market and sell various Personal Protective Equipment (“PPE”), including masks, gloves, gowns and sanitizer.
Hawkeye Systems is responsible for developing and providing any technology surrounding the bio-surveillance, anti-viral masks or other technology related aspects.
Ikon is responsible for providing current best practices for sourcing, funding and distributing PPE in conjunction with Hawkeye and will create a go to market plan collaboratively with Hawkeye Systems.
Corby Marshall, CEO of Hawkeye stated, “We are thrilled to partner with Ikon Supplies to develop, market and sell various PPE. We continue to see new opportunities and partners to accelerate our growth with our pandemic management products and services business. We look forward to working with Ikon in being able to provide critical safety protection and equipment to commercial businesses and individuals.”
17-year-old entrepreneur and President of Last Hope USA CJ Pearson and Georgia Association of Minority Entrepreneurs President Thomas Dortch joined Janice Wilborn, the owner of Wilbourn Sisters Designs, for a check presentation in the amount of $10,000.
This contribution is made possible by Pearson’s efforts. Pearson launched an online fundraising campaign that raised more than $160,000 to help offset the costs of damages incurred by black-owned businesses throughout the country due to rioting. Pearson partnered with Mr. Thomas Dortch and the Georgia Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (GAME) to establish the GAME Relief Fund which will continue to make contributions to eligible businesses in the days and weeks to come.
UGA is partnering with the Georgia Department of Agriculture to present a free digital marketing webinar for agribusiness owners looking for alternate ways to sell their products.
Agriculture-related businesses from across the state have had trouble getting their fresh produce, meat and seafood to market during the pandemic.
The webinar will introduce participants to ecommerce, best practices for social and email marketing, and suggestions for packaging products for shipping.
“We’ll provide good takeaways on ways to market their business online,” said Bill Boone, SBDC entrepreneur outreach specialist. “If they need additional help or resources to implement the techniques covered in the class, the SBDC is available to assist.”
Additional webinars may be scheduled as needed, he said.
Georgia Grown helps agribusiness thrive by bringing producers, processors, suppliers, distributors, retailers and agritourism together to increase their exposure to customers suppliers and partners through an online searchable database. Find out more at https://georgiagrown.com/find-georgia-grown/
UGA Cooperative Extension has employees working in each of Georgia’s 159 counties.
As people around the world continue to grapple with the public health crisis and the economic impact of COVID-19, the importance of a safe and decent place to call home has rarely been more pronounced.
Since 1976, Habitat for Humanity has helped families around the world secure safe, affordable and decent housing, build community, and forge a path toward greater stability. Now, in these challenging times, Habitat is confronting the global housing need that has grown exponentially over the past months through its first-of-its-kind Homes, Communities, Hope + You global campaign.
The multimillion-dollar campaign, led by Atlanta-based Habitat for Humanity International and executed by hundreds of federated Habitat organizations across the United States and around the world, will raise funds to address housing issues that have been exposed and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The housing crisis is not new, but the economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has made it much worse,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “Millions of people in unhealthy and overcrowded living conditions are more susceptible to this virus, and millions of others are now facing impossible decisions between paying for their housing or keeping food on the table. We know the impacts of COVID-19 are being felt most by those who can afford it the least. We know the disparate impact the pandemic has on communities of color, communities already suffering as a result of systemic racism that has all too often played out in housing policy. Homes, Communities, Hope + You will enable Habitat to continue the critical work that we do best: enabling families and communities to become stronger through safe, decent and affordable shelter.”
Joining the campaign as the first million-dollar-level supporters are LEVOLOR, Lowe’s and Republic Services. The companies, all longtime Habitat partners, have made significant commitments to support Habitat’s homebuilding and community development work.
LEVOLOR is donating $1 million worth of cordless window coverings for use in construction of Habitat homes across the United States. Through the donation of building products such as these blinds and shades, local Habitat organizations are able to keep their construction costs lower, allowing them to serve more families. The cellular shades also help keep energy costs lower by keeping homes warmer in winter and cooler in the summer.
Lowe’s $1 million cash donation will provide mortgage forbearance to Habitat homeowner families that have lost income due to COVID-19, allowing them to use their income or savings to meet other basic needs. The funding will also support Habitat’s neighborhood revitalization work. Lowe’s donation comes on top of a $250,000 partnership with Habitat to provide personal protective equipment to front-line health care workers in 39 states and the District of Columbia during the pandemic. Since 2003, Lowe’s has committed more than $71 million to Habitat’s work.
Republic Services’ $1 million cash donation will support Habitat’s neighborhood revitalization work across the United States, with a particular focus on support of local businesses that serve as anchors to robust communities. Small and independently owned businesses have been exceptionally hard-hit by the pandemic’s economic forces, and this partnership aims to help them not only survive but thrive.
“We are so thankful to LEVOLOR, Lowe’s and Republic Services for their generous and early support of this campaign,” said Colleen Finn Ridenhour, chief development officer of Habitat for Humanity International. “With this kind of support, Habitat can join with communities all around the world to build back hope in the wake of the pandemic.”
Funds raised through Homes, Communities, Hope + You will allow Habitat to address housing deficits worldwide. Support raised through the campaign may be used to support Habitat organizations around the world in their efforts to help stabilize homeowners during the COVID-19 crisis, revitalize neighborhoods and help communities heavily impacted by the COVID-19 crisis to build back. Through the campaign, Habitat is also amplifying its advocacy work, to ensure that governments prioritize housing needs in their economic recovery plans. The campaign’s global footprint marks the first time the entire federated Habitat network has organized under a single campaign, reflecting the unprecedented scope of the housing crisis brought about by the pandemic.
Tactical vehicles in Grant Park during the weekend protest. (Photo courtesy Megan Gatewood)
The typically quiet corner of Atlanta and Cherokee avenues in Grant Park resembled a war zone during last weekend’s ongoing protests over racial injustice amplified by the police shooting of Rayshard Brooks on nearby University Avenue.
Video and photographs from the nights of June 13 and 14 show military-style equipment unexpectedly rolled into the neighborhood – known for its charming Victorian mansions, Craftsman bungalows, and as the home of Zoo Atlanta – along with heavily-armored law enforcement to disperse protesters outside the Atlanta Police Department’s small Zone 3 precinct.
A bean bag round recovered from Grant Park. (Photo courtesy Megan Gatewood)
Along with tactical vehicles, armored personnel carriers and jail buses, one of the pieces of equipment brought into the neighborhood was an LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Device), a crowd control device that can emit disorienting sounds strong enough to burst human eardrums. The Grant Park Neighborhood Association has drafted a resolution petitioning Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms to order APD to stop using the LRAD in close proximity to residences.
While the LRAD wasn’t used at its maximum ear-splitting level, witnesses said law enforcement “pulsed” the sound canon in an apparent warning to protesters. Residents who live along Cherokee and Atlanta avenues said they were angered and horrified not only by the use of military-style weaponry in the neighborhood, but law enforcement’s “overreaction” and “escalation” of engagement with what they described as a peaceful protest.
Videos show law enforcement – including APD, Georgia State Patrol, Fulton County Sheriff’s Department officers, and Capitol Police – in full riot gear as the sound of helicopters fill the air. Residents said police used tear gas, rubber bullets, bean bag rounds, and pepper spray to disperse protesters.
Protesters in Grant Park on Saturday night (Photo courtesy Sara Riney)
We reached out to APD for a statement on the use of force to disperse protesters in Grant Park and received no response.
Sarah Riney, who has called Grant Park home for 17 years, lives two blocks from the Zone 3 precinct, a converted home that backs up to the namesake park. She described the events that unfolded in the neighborhood as surreal and shocking.
“It was like what you’d see in a movie,” Riney said. “I worked on ‘The Walking Dead,’ and it reminded me of being on the set. The response to the protesters was overkill and it seemed to me the police escalated it.”
Riney said protesters began showing up at the precinct, which doesn’t actually serve Zone 6 Grant Park and is slated to move further south, on the evening of June 13 – the same night the Wendy’s restaurant on University Avenue where Rayshard Brooks was shot went up in flames.
“There were about 50 or 60 people there around 6 p.m, but then later in the evening, people started walking up from University Avenue, which is only about a mile-and-a-half away,” Riney said. “I wasn’t really worried, because the protest didn’t seem crazy or anything.”
A spent flashbang grenade recovered in Grant Park. (Photo courtesy Megan Gatewood)
Riney said she walked back down to the precinct near midnight and the crowd of protesters had swelled to 200 or more. So had the number of officers and the weaponry. Besides a few protesters getting up in the faces of officers lining the streets with shields, Riney said the scene wasn’t rowdy. But as she was leaving, she noticed some officers donning gas masks.
Just after midnight Riney was sitting on her front porch when she was startled by two “huge booms.”
“I don’t know if they were flashbang grenades or the tear gas, but suddenly everyone started running past my house and they were being followed by a line of cops in gas masks,” Riney said. “They used rubber bullets and beanbag rounds – we found them in the street. There were officers everywhere in people’s yards, shining flashlights. I was in shock. It seemed like an onslaught. And that weaponry they have – it’s military. It shouldn’t be in a residential neighborhood.”
Amy Long Howard, who lives four houses down from precinct, told a similar account of June 13’s events, but said police were back in force again on Sunday night, June 14.
“They used tear gas on Saturday and Sunday night,” Howard said. “You could smell it in the air into the morning and it burned your eyes.”
The LRAD. (Photo courtesy Megan Gatewood)
She said police appeared to escalate the situation again on Sunday, claiming protesters were throwing rocks and bricks at them. “We went over there and checked; there were no bricks or rocks.”
Howard said on Sunday there were about three officers for every protester and that was also the evening police “pulsed” the LRAD.
“As the mother of three young children, it was an unsettling feeling to have them asleep with all this going on outside. I’m very concerned about the use of the LRAD in the neighborhood.”
Another Grant Park resident, Tim Lawrence, also described the protests on Saturday night as pretty peaceful. He was also sitting on his front porch when he heard the two booms that Riney and Howard also heard.
“It was super concussive,” he said. “It made me jump. It might have been flashbang grenades or the tear gas. People started running and then the police were advancing with shields.”
Lawrence said he believed officers were also firing pepper spray pellets at protesters, possibly using what is known as a SALT gun. He also heard the LRAD in use.
“They didn’t fire it full on, but there was this loud, weird noise after the police warned protesters to disperse,” he said.
Georgia State Patrol officers walk through the streets of Grant Park with wooden batons. (Photo courtesy Megan Gatewood)
Megan Gatewood described the weekend’s events as “unjustified” and said she felt that police were unresponsive to concerns from the neighborhood, especially about being in residents’ yards.
“They said it was a ‘state of emergency’ and they could be in anyone’s yard,” Gatewood said. “Georgia State Patrol officers was marching down the street in formation carrying these wooden batons and had tons of zip-tie handcuffs on their belts. It was terrifying.”
Gatewood also said there was no evidence that protesters had been pelting officers with rocks or bricks.
Both Gatewood and Lawrence said demonstrations continued on the evening of June 17, but seemed disorganized. Gatewood said police basically stood on the sidewalk and seemed “disinterested.” That was the same night of a reported APD walkout in protest of murder and assault charges being filed against the two officers involved in the Rayshard Brooks shooting.
Police fill Atlanta Avenue on Saturday night, June 13. (Photo courtesy Sara Riney)
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