On Wednesday, Dec, 14th, members of the
Turner Field campaign coordinated a direct action at Georgia State University’s mid-year commencement
ceremony. During the University System Chancellor Hank Huckaby’s commencement
address, residents and students intervened with chants of “Dr. Becker, do the
right thing” and “CBA or no deal.” Their chorus sounded through the Georgia
Dome, and received focused attention from Hank Huckaby and Mark Becker. Huckaby
berated the protestors, and incited police officers to remove them from the
seating area.
Asma Elhuni, JT Pennington, and Athri Ranganathan were
pushed out of the Dome and taken to a holding room. There, they were detained
and interrogated by police for two hours. The encounter was largely non-confrontational,
though officers handcuffed Ranganathan and claimed he was lying about his name,
date of birth, and social security number. After a delayed acceptance of Ranganathan’s
information, officers issued criminal trespass notices to all three
individuals. Asma, JT, and Athri are currently under a two-year ban from
entering Georgia State University property. They are amidst discussions on how
to fight this heavy-handed ruling.
The administration's back-turning to Turner Field residents, unwillingness to negotiate, and drowning of voices has incited community anger. The action was an intentional jab at
GSU President Mark Becker and his refusal to discuss a Community Benefits
Agreement with Turner Field Neighborhood residents. The threat of GSU-sponsored
displacement of Turner Field residents is imminent, and must be countered. The
Housing Justice League and its allies stand against the removal of Turner Field
residents from their homes. It will continue this fight as the purchase deal
moves forward and effects ripple through the Turner Field neighborhoods.
GSU is finalizing its purchase of the Turner Field stadium on Dec. 31st. The Turner Field campaign, a broad coalition of residents and students, is fighting for this purchase to benefit the community. The Community Benefits Agreement for which it is fighting ensures that GSU must gain community consent before developing the Turner Field stadium. The campaign prioritizes the right for residents to remain in their homes and for the community to regain legal ownership over its property. Turner Field residents demand that their voices be lifted up and seriously considered.
Residents and students gave a public warning to Mark Becker and his administration on Wednesday. The campaign commits to continuing action until GSU seriously engages residents and their demands. There is much at stake in the purchase deal, including the future of the Turner Field neighborhoods-- it cannot be taken lightly.
On Monday, Nov. 21st, residents of Peoplestown
and Housing Justice League members marched to the Atlanta City Hall to testify
in front of City Council members who voted to authorize eminent domain
proceedings against Mrs. and Mr. Darden and Tanya Washington. Protestors
brought “Thanks-taking” themed posters plastered with the face of Mayor Kasim
Reed, highlighting Reed’s gentrifying tendencies and impassivity in meeting
with residents. The contingent group outside City Hall was only a small part of
the 6,000+ signatories who signed a petition supporting Tanya and the Dardens’
resistance to displacement.
Tensions came to a head in City Council, where individuals
on both sides of the displacement issue spoke their opinions. Peoplestown residents
who supported building the park, and thus the displacement of Tanya and the
Dardens, reiterated their concern for flooding in the neighborhood and beliefs
that park construction would subside flooding. They cited conversations with
engineers and watershed department officials who suggested the park
construction was a useful response to the flooding. Indeed, many of these
residents were well-dressed white professionals.
Following their narratives, Tanya Washington spoke. Many of
her supporters yielded their speaking time, giving Tanya 16 minutes at the
podium. Articulate, visceral, and honest, Tanya spoke about the timeline of
park construction within the neighborhood and her commitment to staying in her
home. Tanya highlighted that the current park construction plan was not the
best plan possible. Initial drafts of park construction placed it close to the
Turner Field stadium, away from the 100 block of Atlanta Avenue. She noted the
City wished to advance this park plan because they had already displaced most
residents on the block. “But going forward with a wrong displacement project
doesn’t make it right,” Tanya noted.
The city’s legal takeover of the block is un-coincidentally
occurring with the sale of Turner Field, Tanya noted, and hints at a larger
project of making over the Peoplestown neighborhood. This may not be
problematic, except that it is happening at the expense of long-time black
homeowners and for the benefit of wealthier white homeowners. The force of gentrification
is heavily suggested by the fact that most of the pro-park advocates in City
Hall were white, and at least in their immediate dress, white-collared, while
the displaced residents have been older, black, and medium to low income. The
City’s legal takeover of the Peoplestown block is a dangerous precedent in
Atlanta, where resident-displacements in other neighborhoods, such as Vine
City, are foreseeable and looming.
Park development without displacement in Peoplestown is not
only possible, but has been recommended. At the beginning of the building
process, the Department of Watershed had nearly twenty-two site options to
choose from when deciding a location. Building on some of these site locations
would not have required resident-displacement at all. Nonetheless, the City
advanced with building on the 100 Atlanta Avenue block, more or less evicting
the majority of its residents. Even now, in the final stages of the block
takeover, displacement need not continue. Housing Justice organizer Tim Franzen
noted that developers already plan to build around resident Mattie Jackson’s
home, which sits in the middle of the block. If this is possible, Franzen
noted, it is also possible to build around the block-corner homes of the
Dardens and Tanya Washington. Even amidst the City’s relentless displacements
and subsequent public defacing, it is possible for the City to maintain
dignity—by not displacing the Dardens and Tanya.
After the public testimonies, residents and Housing Justice members
walked to Mayor Kasim Reed’s office in an attempt to meet with the Mayor and
request his intervention in the eminent domain proceedings. His office doors
were locked, however, even though Reed was visibly present in the mayor’s room.
For half-an-hour, Housing Justice remained outside the office calling for the
Mayor. But the Mayor’s Office denied communication, and Kasim Reed did not
speak with residents.
The eminent domain proceedings will be taken to court in the
coming weeks, and Tanya Washington has promised a strong resistance. “These displacements
are being fueled by a project of economic development rather than public
safety,” she noted, “and will likely benefit private developers among others.
Somebody is receiving large sums of money from this process, and it’s not the
residents.” As Peoplestown residents continue fighting against displacement,
the Housing Justice League remains relentlessly by their side. Testimonies and
actions will continue as long as necessary to keep the Dardens and Tanya
Washington in their homes.
On Thursday, Nov. 17th, a group of Peoplestown
residents and the Housing Justice League rallied together at the house of
resident Tanya Washington, bringing attention to the eminent domain proceedings
brought against Washington and her neighbors. In front of reporters and cameras
from various television stations, Washington led the charge in explaining the
issue at hand.
The city of Atlanta is using “eminent domain” as a legal
maneuver to redevelop a block in Peoplestown. The City cites street flooding as
a primary reason for neighborhood redevelopment-- but it is simply a rouse. In
the areas of Peoplestown hit hardest by flooding, notably the Turner Field stadium
parking lots, the City has chosen to NOT redevelop. Early drafts by engineering
consultants suggested a park and pond be built besides the stadium and AWAY
from the neighborhoods. But, the City has avoided this, and chosen instead to
forcefully displace Peoplestown residents so they may build atop their homes.
Commenting on this situation, Washington noted, “We have
lawyered up, and are ready to take on the City. If the city wins this fight,
they can set a dangerous precedent of taking over neighborhoods via eminent
domain. It’s important that we win this legal battle and show that
neighborhoods can defend themselves. We have a good legal and advocacy team, so
I am confident in our abilities. Get ready.”
Alongside Washington, residents and allies held signs that
read “Stop displacement,” “Mayor Reed, do the right thing,” and “Our homes are
not for sale.” The rally echoed actions in the past, when housing justice
members called Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed to prioritize neighborhood residents
over profit, and not displace people in the name of city beautification. Actions
in this campaign once again will be directed towards City Hall and the Mayor’s
Office, urging for policy that creates an Atlanta for all.
Longtime Peoplestown resident Mrs. Darden was perhaps the rally’s
energy source. With a loud and resonating voice, she led the group in
civil-rights era chants and declarations. Gathering the crowd together and
pushing their spirits forward, Mrs. Darden (and her husband Mr. Darden)
represent the best of the Peoplestown neighborhood, and who exactly is at stake
in this fight against displacement. Despite the enormity of the task ahead, Mrs.
Darden spoke with only strength and certainty. “We will stay in our homes,” she
said repeatedly. “And we will not be moved.”
Action continue on Monday, Nov. 21st. Residents
and housing justice members will testify and protest against councilmembers who
voted to put residents outside their homes-- including Councilperson Carla
Smith who introduced the ordinance authorizing eminent domain in Peoplestown.
This will be followed by a sit-in at the Mayor’s office to demand that he stop
litigation and use his executive authority to keep residents in their homes. The
Housing Justice League invites supporters to attend these events, and get out
the word to friends, family and colleagues, in person, through phone, and via
social media.
The Atlanta Beltline, which oversees the development of a
22-mile loop through the city, says that it hopes to raise $7.5 million to
encourage affordable housing development. But the recent announcement of $7.5
million from TAD bonds will likely support fewer than 200 affordable units out
of ABI’s obligation to 5,600. When compared to the need, current funding is a
drop in the bucket. As the economy comes back to life, and the city
accelerates, meeting these obligations is increasingly urgent. It is clear the
city of Atlanta has made little effort to hold Beltline developers accountable.
On Thursday, Nov. 3rd at 4 pm, the Housing Justice League
held the Beltline accountable. We organized a protest outside the Equitable
Building on 100 Peachtree Street, home to the Atlanta Beltline Office, drawing
public attention and criticism to Beltline President Paul Morris. The protest
began with Housing Justice League organizer, and Stanton Oak tenant association
president, Sherise Brown delivering a notification flyer to Paul Morris’s
office. The flyer called attention to the lack of affordable housing on the
Atlanta Beltline, and committed to hold Paul Morris and the entire Beltline
Corporation accountable to their promise of 5,600 affordable units. Over the
course of the next half-an-hour, protestors marched around the Building,
registering their discontent with Paul Morris and the Beltline Corporation.
Many of the protestors included university faculty, who were part of a Georgia
State University-based conference on the housing crisis in Atlanta.
The Housing Justice League is committed to keeping pressure
on Paul Morris and his partner developers to build affordable housing on the
Beltline. Up to this point, Beltline developers have built exclusively luxury
housing units, creating a period of unbridled wealth extraction from
communities that have only recently begun strong economic development. It is
unacceptable for the Beltline to develop without accountability, and without
profiting its surrounding neighborhoods. We demand that the Beltline be a
project that benefits not just some, but all.
On noon, Tuesday, October 4th at Hurt Park, GSU students and NPU-V residents joined the Housing Justice League to deliver a petition to GSU President Mark Becker’s office. The direct action was geared towards securing a legally-binding Community-Benefits Agreement (CBA) that ensures residents of Turner Field neighborhoods benefit from positive development around their homes.
The rally began in a sunlit Hurt Park at noon, with joint cadres
of Georgia State University students and NPU-V residents. Many held signs that
read, “Stop displacement on our dime,” “Students and residents march together,”
and “Gentrification State University.” Half-past the hour, student organizer
Patricio Cambias Rojas rallied students and gave an overview of the action. Co-organizer
Christopher Hollis took lead in giving chants, and marching students and
residents towards Becker’s office.
Students and Residence deliver petition to President Becker
In the building of Centennial Hall, marchers learned that
President Becker was “out” for the day-- his absence has not been confirmed by
independent sources-- and that they would not be allowed into his office.
Housing Justice League organizer Sherise Brown and GSU organizer Asma Elhuni
delivered a petition to Becker’s secretary in lieu of Becker, and restated the
demand that Becker meet with marchers to discuss a CBA clause within GSU’s
purchase package. Brown noted, “We are following up on our last march to your
office, and we wish to meet with President Becker. Please let him know that we
are sincere, and want to discuss the mutual benefits of a CBA.” As of now,
Becker’s office has given no response.
Students and residents initiated a sit-in during which many
shared personal stories, ranging from oral histories of the Turner Field
neighborhoods to student activism at GSU. Longtime resident May Helen Johnson
recounted how Turner Field neighborhoods have long fell victim to the economic
priorities of others. “Churches have been demolished in place of contaminated
housing units, and empty parking lots have replaced long-time houses.” Johnson,
along with other residents, expressed hope that the combined efforts of
students and residents would impress urgency behind the call for a CBA. This
new wave of action, Johnson noted, “can bring positive development back to an
area once filled with it.”
Students and residents hold a sit-in
--
The Turner Field Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) is a valuable opportunity to reorganize administrative priorities and change the neglect of Turner Field. This legally-binding agreement has driven by local residents and the over 40 community organizations that make up the Turner Field Community Benefits Coalition.
A CBA would mean tremendous change for all involved in the Turner Field neighborhoods. A well implemented CBA could alleviate flooding, improve transportation, provide jobs for residents, and include educational training for people of all ages. It could prevent displacement of existing residents, create housing for people of all incomes, provide the neighborhood with places to shop, and make streets and communities safer and cleaner.
Long term residents hold a banner iutside President Beckers office
The Housing Justice League, NPU-V residents, and GSU students are committed to demonstrating the power of a Community Benefits Agreement for our communities. On Tuesday, October 4th, we showed this commitment by rallying to Mark Becker’s office and delivering our petition. And we will continue pushing, and escalating, to create a more affordable, better serviced Atlanta.
