ATLANTA, GA — The Georgia NAACP, and all of its local units, is in complete opposition to any calls for the resignation of The Honorable Keisha Lance Bottoms, the 60th Mayor of the City of Atlanta.

After the unfortunate death of Rayshard Brooks, Secoriea Taylor, and so many others, the nation has seen a seemingly unprecedented level of political tension and civic challenge that can only be resolved through the spirit of collaboration, transparency and truth-telling. The NAACP will continue to be invested in public policy advocacy that promote systematic changes that will save lives.

We do not in any way support the demonizing of local organizers and activists who have courageously taken to the streets to raise their voices and risk their lives to declare what is right. “We make no mistake about where we find ourselves as a community,” says Rev. James Woodall, State President of the Georgia NAACP. “If we are honest about the truth of the matter, all of us have blood on our hands. To single out Mayor Bottoms as being solely responsible for this existential crisis that faces Black people in America, however, is to not only be disingenuous but also dangerously divisive in a time where every leader needs to be at the table together to bring about change,” he concludes.

The Georgia NAACP remains committed to its pursuit of justice ensuring full accountability in the deaths of so many Black Georgians. We have no permanent friends nor permanent enemies, only permanent interest – and that is the liberation of all people. Though we are prepared to work with every elected and appointed official to ensure that racism and white supremacy have no place in the State of Georgia, we will continue to hold them accountable to ensure that the people remain at the forefront of the public policy agenda.