For decades, white officials appointed Newbern’s mayor and council members in lieu of holding elections. Most residents weren’t even aware that there were supposed to be elections for these positions.
The settlement will reinstate Patrick Braxton as the mayor of Newbern, the first Black person to hold the position.
Braxton was the only candidate who filed qualifying paperwork with the county clerk in 2020, so he won the mayoral race by default. The incumbent, Haywood “Woody” Stokes III, hadn’t even bothered to fill out the paperwork to run again. Haywood Stokes Jr., his father, had previously been mayor of the rural Black Belt town.
Cross posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/16944653
Why not Federal prison? NOTHING they did was legal and at least the mayor (sic) and city council knew full well they were subverting the Democratic principles of the US.
No fine, no probation. Prison for these manipulative shits
Good news. One of the most overt examples of organized racism in the modern era. I hope they make real change.
I remember when this happened, and I was stunned. There are only 133 people in the town and the vast majority of them are black, it should have been a self solving problem to throw out the white minority.
Another good article here:
https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/06/us/newbern-alabama-mayor-dispute/index.html
Glad they won the ability (really their right) to vote. Insane this was happening but also not surprised. Get that Haywood guy out of there.
Shit states gonna shit state
The incumbent, Haywood “Woody” Stokes III, hadn’t even bothered to fill out the paperwork to run again. Haywood Stokes Jr., his father, had previously been mayor of the rural Black Belt town.
The end of a dynasty. Good riddance.
Haywood Stokes Jr., his father, had previously been mayor of the rural Black Belt town.
Gotta watch out for all those Martial Arts experts! 🤣