January 18, 2016 - Athens Rallies Against Discrimination

Anger in the community reached its boiling point after discoveries that the confederate-themed bar General Beauregard’s was allegedly serving a ““N*****ita” drink reignited public outcry against other discriminatory business practices. The Mayor and Commission had previously issued a resolution against discrimination and pledged to address the issue after a study released by the UGA Student Government Association documented more than 50 reports of discrimination downtown largely based on dress code.

Not waiting for the local government to take action, Mokah and Knowa Johnson, already well-known in the community as organizers of the Hip-Hop Awards, approached A4E for help in putting together a rally and march against these discriminatory practices. A4E gladly accepted, and through Mokah and Knowa’s efforts and A4E’s assistance, the march went as planned, with 400 Athenians marching through downtown on MLK Day.

This march began a year-long initiative for a civil rights committee supported by the local government and for comprehensive civil rights legislation. You can read other steps in this timeline here.