ATLANTA — In a surprising turn of events, a regular attendee at Atlanta City Council meetings, Duwon Robinson, finds himself at the center of controversy as high-level airport officials are seeking a protective order against him -- alleging threatening comments made during public gatherings.
Robinson, a familiar face at the city council meetings for years, has been known for questioning both airport and city officials, expressing concerns about potential misuse of power. However, he now claims to be on the receiving end of criticism and legal action.
Robinson shared screenshots of a protective order filed against him last week by J'Aimeka Ferrell, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport's Deputy General Manager. The documents reveal Ferrell's request for a judge to enforce a 200-yard distance between her and Robinson. The filing accuses Robinson of creating defamatory signs and verbally attacking Ferrell and her family during council meetings.
In an interview with 11Alive, Robinson said, "We will not let Jai Ferrell accuse me of anything." He adamantly asserts that his only intention has been to advocate for his community.
Concerns over alleged personal attacks and defamation prompted Ferrell to seek legal intervention. A court date has been scheduled for next month, where a judge will consider the proposed protective order. Despite the legal proceedings, Robinson remains defiant and plans to fight back.
"If you're a mayor, governor, anybody, you have, the public has the right to criticize your role. Your personal life? No. Your roles and duties and responsibilities, that is what you signed up for," Robinson said.
Despite efforts to obtain comments from airport officials, they declined to provide a statement for this story. 11Alive also attempted to reach out to J'Aimeka Ferrell personally, but as of Wednesday, no response has been received.
The unfolding legal battle raises questions about the balance between public discourse and legal actions against perceived threats, leaving the local community and city officials awaiting the outcome of the court proceedings.