Angry residents expressed frustration Wednesday with Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Gertz (D), who downplayed the connection between immigration unrest and the brutal murder of Laken Riley.
At a press conference, Giltz defended Athens from critics who described it as a so-called “sanctuary city.”Gertz claimed that’s not true, despite the city Pass a resolution in 2019 We welcome all people to Athens, including immigrants who are in the United States illegally, and essentially de facto sanctuary city.
Gertz’s defensive stance prompted an outburst of anger from residents at the press conference.
“Liar!” several residents shouted.
Other residents suggested Gertz’s denial was an insult to his intelligence, and others called for Gertz’s resignation. Residents also claimed Gertz shared responsibility for Riley’s death and yelled, “You’re fired!”
Gertz once warned people “not to confuse immigration with crime.” This claim sparked further riots from angry residents.
Members of the media then asked Gertz about the 2019 resolution, and the mayor justified it by bringing up Donald Trump.
“Here in Athens-Clarke County, our focus is on the humanity of our people, and we want to say that part of everyone’s humanity is the expectation of human dignity. You may remember the dynamic times we lived in, not that long ago. Mr. Gertz said when an angry resident screamed at him, “In this country, teenagers “In the second half, we had the president of the United States speak about foreign-born people in the most despicable terms, and that idea metastasized.”
“Oh no! This is an invasion!” one man shouted. “You’re an outlaw, Mayor!”
Gertz defended the resolution in every press interview, arguing that it was necessary because the political environment at the time fostered a culture of white supremacy and xenophobia.
Athens is de facto At Sanctuary City, a reporter asked Gertz how he could justify the fact that a large number of illegal immigrants lived in the same apartment building as José Ibarra, the Venezuelan immigrant charged with Riley’s murder.
Gertz responded, “I deeply regret this tragedy. The responsibility for this crime rests solely with the perpetrators.”
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