Vine City and English Ave. Vow "Relentless Pursuit", Aimed at the Mayor and the Council

Atlanta - “It’s insulting, insensitive, demeaning, dishonest, despicable and deceptive.” Respected Lindsey Street Baptist Church Pastor Rev. Anthony Motley used these words to describe the treatment by Mayor Kasim Reed and city officials of the growing number of irate community leaders and political activists involved in the development of a Community Benefits Agreement.  Neighbors living in the shadow of the Georgia Dome and the proposed new stadium, according to Motley, are concerned they are being disregarded in the City’s process that was mandated to include them.  “They are playing games with us, and treating us like nobodies!”

“The Voices Within Vine City and English Avenue” are releasing a ten-minute video (http://youtu.be/StSY5HRorpA) aimed at sensitizing Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Atlanta City Council members to the pathetic plight of Vine City and English Avenue community residents and stakeholders.  The video speaks to the imperative for a Community Benefits Agreement –“not a promise or a plan” -- in Vine City and English Avenue communities, out of the development of the new Falcons stadium.  

Citing recent national statistics that show Atlanta dead last in addressing its high rate of poverty (30%), the video makes the case that without intervention, 96% of Atlanta’s poor – particularly Vine City and English Avenue -- have no chance of rising out of poverty.  They are demanding that Atlanta’s elected leaders make a major commitment to uplift the people living in the poorest neighborhoods, much like they have for Falcons owner Arthur Blank and other corporate power brokers.

“There will be no end in sight in the relentless pursuit of the proper treatment of our people,” vowed Rev. Anthony Motley, Co-Spokesperson for the collective. “We are not going to be run over by them [Mayor, City Council].”

Co-Spokesperson Rev. W. L. Cottrell, Sr., known for his years of community development efforts in Vine City, backs Motley’s resolve:  “Whatever action it will take, we are committed to taking it.”

The group is releasing the video below before the next Community Benefits Agreement meeting, which takes place at Old City Hall today at 5:30pm.