College Park City Council meeting approved
College Park police cleared the College Park City Council chambers during a vote in which the mayor was reprimanded for what council members said was an overstepping of her authority.
COLLEGE PARK, Georgia. – The Georgia Attorney General’s office is demanding answers from College Park officials after the gallery was cleared by police during a special meeting last Friday. FOX 5 was present at the meeting and saw two people being led away in handcuffs after the acting city manager ordered police to evict the occupants from the space.
The purpose of the meeting was to reprimand Mayor Bianca Motley Broom for what the City Council said was her ongoing disruptive behavior.
Georgia Attorney General investigates College Park meeting
In an Aug. 13 letter obtained by FOX 5, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Settlemire demanded answers from College Park City Attorney Winston Denmark and set a deadline of 10 business days to respond, addressing whether the City of College Park violated Georgia state public records and open meetings laws.
“According to the concerned citizens, the City Council has continued to conduct its municipal affairs even in the absence of the public,” the letter states. “Given the volume of complaints received from the concerned citizens, copies of the complaints are available for your review upon request.”
The letter referenced the City of College Park’s livestream video. Verbal outbursts and cheering erupted after the first agenda item was introduced, prompting College Park’s interim city manager, Dr. Emmanuel Adediran, to order police to clear the room. The mayor expressed her concerns that it was a public meeting.
“The footage of the meeting then switches to the city’s homepage and continues afterwards. It shows the city council deciding on other agenda items in the absence of the public,” the letter continues.
College Park residents excluded from meeting
What was not shown on the official livestream was captured in the hall by FOX 5’s Rob Dirienzo. Kim and West Gary, who have lived in the city for more than two decades, were led away in handcuffs after rising up in protest. Both were released on obstruction of justice charges.
Couple handcuffed at College Park City Council meeting
A College Park couple was handcuffed during an explosive city council meeting shortly before voting to reprimand the mayor. West and Kim Gary say city officials broke the law.
Members of the media and city employees were not asked to leave the room as the crowd was relegated to the building’s lobby. Audio from the meeting played over the speakers but was not loud enough for anyone to hear. Some residents attempted to watch the live stream on their cell phones.
In a statement released Sunday, the city reiterated that it had complied with the law by conducting its business behind closed doors.
On Monday night, College Park Police Chief Connie Rogers appeared to double down on her efforts to prosecute certain participants in the gathering.
Chief Rogers emailed the mayor and city council members through Acting City Manager Dr. Emmanuel Adediran and then posted on the city’s Facebook page: “The College Park Police Department is reviewing video footage of the August 9, 2024 incident at the College Park City Special Meeting. Anyone observed violating Georgia Code 16-11-34 (a person who recklessly or knowingly commits any act that could reasonably be expected to prevent or disrupt a lawful assembly, meeting, or procession is guilty of a misdemeanor) will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The incident in question is being taken very seriously and the College Park Police Department is committed to enforcing the law and taking appropriate action based on the findings.”
The statement continued: “I, Chief Connie Rogers, assure the residents of College Park that the safety and well-being of the community remains our top priority. We believe in the First Amendment, but we also believe in law and order, and we are committed to upholding both. As the investigation progresses, further updates will be provided to the public to ensure transparency and accountability. I am deeply grateful to the Mayor and Council, as well as the community, for their understanding and support during this time.”
College Park City Council vs. Open Meeting Law
The Attorney General’s Office reiterated on Tuesday that all meetings, except those covered by the “executive sessions” clause, must be public.
“Upon my review of the agenda for the meeting called on August 9, 2024 and the video of that meeting, the public was excluded from the meeting during the consideration of Agenda Item 2A and therefore did not have access to it; the City Council will proceed with the business of the City after excluding the public from the meeting,” the letter continued.
Item 2A on the agenda of the special meeting called in College Park on Friday referred to the proposed censure of the mayor, which drew the ire of those present.
“I am not aware of all the circumstances surrounding the meeting and do not believe the city violated the law,” the letter states. It also asks for a prompt response to the matter.
In his letter, the Attorney General also emphasized his desire to resolve any disputes between citizens and local governments, but also included a warning:
“This office also reserves the right to take legal action in these matters as it deems appropriate.”
The deadline set by the Attorney General’s Office falls between the scheduled College Park City Council meetings on August 19 and September 3.
