OAN’s Taylor Tinsley
5:00 PM – Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Several protesters are calling for the resignation of Athens Mayor Kelly Gertz over concerns for public safety following the recent killing of Augusta University nursing student Laken Riley.
advertisement
Gertz (D-Ga.) held a press conference Wednesday about community safety efforts.
This reporter’s visit comes a week after 22-year-old Laken Riley was allegedly attacked and killed by an illegal immigrant from Venezuela (José Antonio Ibarra) on the University of Georgia campus.
The mayor, who tried to dismiss the idea that Athens was a sanctuary city, was immediately met with yelling from protesters.
“This term means different things to different people, depending on the context of the discussion,” Gertz says.
“You liar,” one protester shouted.
In addition to calling for Gertz’s resignation, protesters are calling on Gertz and the City Council to rescind immigration protections, saying Riley’s “blood is on their hands.”
Gertz said Georgia law does not allow for sanctuary cities.
Reporters highlighted how Giltz signed a resolution passed in 2019 on “Supporting Athens Immigrants, Illegal Immigrants, and the Latinx Community.”
“Local authorities welcome people from all walks of life and backgrounds and strive to foster communities where people from all walks of life feel safe.”
“We are centered around the humanity of people here in Athens-Clarke County, and part of the humanity of every person is an expectation of human dignity,” Gertz said. “2019 is not that long ago, but you may remember a time when we were living in this country in our late teens. ” he said. He said. “And that concept was metastasizing to places like Charlottesville -“
“This is an invasion. Please,” protesters interrupted.
Reporters later asked whether Gertz and other local officials felt they owed Riley’s family an apology for letting the murder suspect and several other illegal immigrants live in an apartment near campus. Asked.
In response, Gertz said, “The responsibility for this crime lies solely with the perpetrators.”
Stay informed. Receive breaking news directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
Please share this post!
