GRIFFIN, Ga. — After a citizen resorted to using racist language during public comment, the City of Griffin is issuing a response.
Back on March 28, former commissioner, Larry Johnson, who is white, stepped up to the podium of the Griffin City Commission meeting to speak on a recent proclamation naming April Confederate History Month in the city.
While their interaction began cordially, it quickly devolved as Johnson addressed District 6 Commissioner Rodney Mccord, the only black member of the board.
"I told you at that time that there were white folks and there were black folks when I was growing up," Johnson said. "There was white trash, my family, and there was n*****town and I lived next to n*****town."
WARNING: This YouTube video is NOT censored
Johnson used the word a third time, as a clearly agitated Mccord tries to respond to the words. However, he's stopped quickly by the chairman, Douglas Hollberg, who returns the floor to Johnson.
A short time later, Mccord again tries to speak up after Johnson's derogatory words.
"I'm not going to sit here and let this man use that time of language," Mccord said. "And, if nobody else is offended, then I am."
Chairman Hollberg continued his attempts to quiet Mccord, but he ultimately told Johnson to step away from the podium for going over his allowed time.
In light of the racially-charged exchange, the city issued a statement denouncing what happened, saying it would like residents, businesses and visitors to know that "while the City respects every citizen’s rights to First Amendment freedom of speech, the City does not condone, patronize or tolerate any citizen’s use of derogatory or offensive speech."
The statement went on to condemn the "disparaging racial comments" that were not "reflective of the values of the City of Griffin Board of Commissioners, its staff or the majority of its citizens."
The city concluded that it is proud of its "inclusivity" and community made up of people of all races, backgrounds and cultures.
