Gwinnett County commissioners on Tuesday urged residents toward love and empathy as they reflected on the civil unrest that has led to days of protests in Lawrenceville and across metro Atlanta and the country.
Protests have spread following the May 25 death of George Floyd, a black Minneapolis man who died in police custody. Derek Chauvin, a fired police Minneapolis officer, was arrested Friday and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Chauvin was captured on video with his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes.
"I'm heartbroken and angry," Commissioner Jace Brooks, who is white, said of Floyd's death and that of Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old black man who was shot in Brunswick while jogging. Three white men were charged in his death.
Brooks, a Republican, said he’s spent most of his time “just listening” but thought it “would almost seem odd not to say anything.” He quoted Abraham Lincoln, Rep. John Lewis and others, urging residents to get to know people who are unlike them and to choose love.
“My desire is to be part of the solution and not part of the problem,” he said. “I’m listening.”
Three county commissioners echoed his sentiment but a fourth, Republican Tommy Hunter, made no comments about the unrest. Hunter notably called Lewis a "racist pig" in a Facebook post in 2016; he was reprimanded by county commissioners under Gwinnett's ethics policy.
Commissioner Marlene Fosque, who is black, participated in protests in Lawrenceville Monday night. Fosque, a Democrat, urged residents to practice “compassionate empathy” as they learn more about the lives of others.
“I would like our country, like many of you, to come to a path of healing,” she said. “We are much better working together.”
Gwinnett Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash, a white Republican, thanked Fosque for participating in the protests and said she had been told by Lawrenceville leaders that Fosque had helped calm a group of about 700 protesters at times when there were tensions between protesters and law enforcement. Protests are planned again Tuesday.
Nash said she too is trying to listen and suggested the county could focus on “the steps that can be taken to urge the healing along.”
Commissioner Ben Ku, who is Asian, said he appreciated what protesters and others are doing to try to bring the country together.
“I do want us all to remember we are one human race,” the Democrat said.
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