Athens-Clarke County mayor updates public on safety following Laken Riley's death 

Woke is coming!!! This country needs more of it

Go back to mommy and daddy's basement

100 percent

Woke = antichrist agenda= Sodom and Gomorrah

He is so woke. We need to get out to the streets and protest. Starts protest for Laken Riley

It’s really getting annoying listening to all these people grossly mischaracterize our city who have never been here and know nothing about the area nor the people in our local government except whatever comes out of Marge greens mouth. And it’s also getting to the point of ridiculousness when people call for the arrest of people whose only crime is apparently being not maga. Can you all please stop exploiting this woman’s death for political points

His family is from New York.

What does a city he used for some sort of comparison have to do with anything important?

No one is suggesting that her death was not murder.

@@AB-eg8gc Spare us, this activist was tap dancing and you know it.

@@naysayer1238 are you a resident of Athens ?

@@AB-eg8gc Why would that be relevant?

Legal ones, that is.

Jose Ibarra is one of Juan Guaidos supporters, Guaido was a friend of Trump.

​@@xijinbling2373TDS...

​@xijinbling2373 are you really saying Jose Ibarra illegally immigrated here and raped and murdered a young woman because of Trump? Are you unwell?

​@@xijinbling2373 >joined RU-vid October 2020 Ohh a shill account. I should have figured no actual person would write that. Clearly a shill

@@xijinbling2373Oh BS! What a stupid comment!

How is he a traitor? The mayor has committed no crime. Please this rhetoric needs to stop

Traitor need to be tried for treason@@AB-eg8gc

@@AB-eg8gc rule of law is nothing to him, when it helps his party , he broke FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS, HE ENABLED CRIMINALS TO COME TO HIS STATE , HE IS LIABLE

@@AB-eg8gc LMAO

​@@AB-eg8gchow about he stands for protecting We the People! Idjet

no. the citizens that vote caused this.

@@chasthanhburns123 No....Obama and Soros caused this invasion. Now go watch the View...since that's your real source of news.

It was one man, one illegal who caused this. Blame the person who did this.

@@AB-eg8gc​​⁠ Had the Mayor not instituted sanctuary city policies that prevented ICE from sending him packing, she would be ALIVE! Whats so hard for you to understand about that?

@@AB-eg8gc Oh and here again. Paid apologist alert! You're not even good at it. I hope you're only getting minimum wage.

Absolutely! Well put. This guy is a disgrace. Follow the money.

@@georgevaccaro9379 He's a carpetbagger from up north.

He said that everyone deserved to be treated with dignity and humanity. He was visibly upset when speaking of what happened to Laken. There was absolutely nothing that he said or did that would suggest he had any distain for her. He never at any point blamed Trump. Why on earth are you blaming him for any of this? He has not harmed her family and he did not harm her. It is appalling to see this comment section full of comments like yours. Why is no one angry at the man who actually did this to her? Is there such a disconnect from reality that people have forgotten what individual accountability is? Reagan said: We must reject the idea that every time a law is broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. I is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.

@gc Who's paying you? He absolutely tried to blame Trump for this when at 19:16 he mischaracterized the former President's comments about *ILLEGAL* immigration and the wide diversity of law breaking border-crossers, ranging from good people to criminals here to take advantage of the citizens of our country. It was a lie AND a deflection from the obvious tragedy. Had our existing laws been enforced rather than thwarted by oath-breaking liberals, the perpetrator would not have been in our country to steal the life of a lovely young lady who was already a productive member of our society headed for a life of service to her fellow citizens. This horrible misdeed falls, yes at the feet of the perpetrator, but also at the feet of "our" representatives who are serving some other interest than that they have sworn an oath to uphold. This country is not here to serve the interest of foreign nations or foreign nationals, but to *legal* citizens. Prove you're not a shill by providing some direct responses to my arguments or GTFOH you ridiculous shill.

@@AB-eg8gc​​⁠ Of course he feels terrible for Laken. We know about accountability but that works both ways. I don’t think this mayor is a bad person, I think he has a bad policy. The mayor addressed the signing of the 2019 resolution that stated all undocumented immigrants and statuses were welcomed (Thus the heavy debate on whether it was a sanctuary city). Which is why this disgusting human being was allowed to be in the city and acquire benefits. The mayor’s response was as quoted, “The president of the United States speaking in the most vile terms to the people who were foreign born.” Thus the reason for the law being signed. He stated the illegal migrants were being bombarded with hate because of the political climate of 2019. (His words) and they deserved to be treated with respect and dignity. This is why the people were outraged. YES he was talking about TRUMP. Of course this perpetrator is to blame but so are the laws letting these unverified criminals in the country. This town meeting was about the victim and also what needs to be done so this doesn’t happen again.

What is Kelly supposed to say he is wrong about? And yes you heard all of the actions our city has taken in response to this horrible event as well as actions our city has been taking to reduce crime by addressing its root causes. Say it isn’t effective but don’t say they aren’t trying because they absolutely are trying

@@AB-eg8gc​​⁠Had the Mayor not instituted sanctuary city policies that prevented ICE from sending him packing, she would be ALIVE! Whats so hard for you to understand about that?

Perhaps you missed Mayor Gertz state again that Athens is not a sanctuary city. This is a terrible tragedy. Believe me when I say I am just as, and probably more so, upset and angry and outraged at what happened to Laken and I wish with all of my being that she was still alive. But blaming other people does not bring her back, it does not make things right again, it is just not productive. Given that there are no policies in Athens that defy federal law or state law, given that this has never happened in our city before, how could anyone have prevented something that no one knew was coming? @@russelljohnson7726

💯%

It is how they are going to steal our country in November

Hate and vitriol is quite apparent in this comment section. Hate does not solve anything. Our mayor is informing people of the actions Athens has been taking to reduce the root causes of crime in our city.

He was asked about the 2019 resolution and provided a response to that question. He said that the goal of that resolution was for all of the families living here to feel safe and welcome, which included families who have members who are documented and members who are not documented. And yes this was a press conference about the murder of a student in our city however those present at the press conference continued to make it about immigration and not about Ms Riley.

@@AB-eg8gchow can you not see, that w at happened to Mrs Riley, is al about immigration? Had the Mayor not instituted sanctuary city policies that prevented ICE from sending him packing, she would be ALIVE! Whats so hard for you to understand about that?

No one in Athens prevented ICE from doing anything. @@russelljohnson7726

Hold him accountable for what? What is he “getting away with”? The mayor is not our enemy

@gc oh, here you are again. Are you the oath-breaker in disguise, a paid shill or just a completely media propagandized NPC? Hold him accountable for not upholding his oath of office and following the law, but instead pandering to *ILLEGAL* non-citizens.

Exactly right, in my town he wouldn't have bee able to finish that speech. I have no idea how Lakens parents and family haven't made this illegal pay the price

@@AB-eg8gc he won't condemn illegals he is playing politics instead of just shutting down the woke media narrative. Don't play their game just laugh at them

People of Georgia when did y'all become a bunch of Yankees who don't take care of your own? Man down in the country they just let illegals do this and sit comfortably in a cell. Smh wow I never thought I'd see the day Georgia men turned into San Francisco men while their state is destroyed. Cheap housing adds to crime

He’s seems so concerned about his own job

He is not a police officer

@@AB-eg8gc Here you are again not adding a single iota of value. He is the mayor and mayors in Georgia are tasked with, among other things, carrying out the laws of the town/city they are elected to serve.

Section 3-104. - Powers and duties. The mayor shall have the powers and duties to: (a)Serve as the official representative of the unified government including serving as the unified government's representative to federal, state and local governmental bodies and officials;(b)Initiate the process, with the involvement of commission members and appropriate staff, to search and screen candidates for the positions of manager, attorney, and internal auditor and to recommend candidates for these positions to the commission (appointment requires concurrence of a majority of the entire commission);(c)Set the agenda, after receiving input from members of the commission, the manager and the public, for meetings of the commission;(d)Preside over meetings of the commission;(e)Make committee appointments;(f)Present a proposed annual budget and a proposed capital improvements budget, which has been prepared by the manager with the assistance of all department and agency heads and all others who supervise the implementation of a budget that uses funds of the unified government for approval by the mayor, to the commission;(g)Approve or veto proposed ordinances or resolutions as provided by this Charter;(h)Call special meetings of the commission as provided by this Charter and by rules of the commission;(i)Execute all deeds, contracts and obligations of the unified government except for contracts exempted from this requirement by section 7-501; such execution shall be attested to by the clerk;(j)Recommend to the commission the adoption of such measures as deemed necessary or expedient; and(k)Perform any other duties and exercise any other powers required by state or federal law or authorized by a duly adopted ordinance that is not in conflict with this Charter. (Ord. of 7-2-96, § 1; Ord. of 7-6-99, § 1; Ord. of 12-4-2001, § 3; Ord. of 4-7-2015(1) , § 3)@@georgevaccaro9379

There is no sanctuary status to end. There is zero language in that resolution that says our police will refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. And what’s more, that resolution is in no way any sort of law

@AB-eg8gc One question please. This illegal alien was arrested for shoplifting. Why wasn't ICE informed ?? Only sanctuary cities do that, correct?

The police officer answered that question. They were not aware of his immigration status as they do not have any sort of database that provides that information. @@thomascunningham3279

@@thomascunningham3279 crickets. AB-eg8gc seems to be a paid shill.

AB-eg8gc If you can’t see thru the bs then STFU!

better hurry. trump promised to protect government employees from lawsuits when he wins.

​@@chasthanhburns123 Frivolous ones.

@@Infectd they are frivolous to rich folks like trump and his million dollar lawyers. trump did not even care about his poor j6th protestors. he could have pardoned them but instead left them to rot.

@@Infectd they are frivolous to rich folks like trump and his million dollar lawyers. trump did not even care about his poor j6th protestors. he could have pardoned them but instead left them to rot.

they are frivolous to rich folks like trump and his million dollar lawyers. trump did not even care about his poor j6th protestors. he could have pardoned them but instead left them to rot.

Are you a resident of Athens?

@@AB-eg8gc are you?

​@georgevaccaro9379 based on the comments, I think that person is the mayor lol.

Well after all he's a carpetbagger from the State of Maine.

He at no point was spinning anything that you describe. What press conference were you listening to because it clearly wasn’t this one

@@AB-eg8gc We see you. Commenting on almost every single comment with replies. I'll continue to respond to your nonsense. This mayor is not following the law. He is not following the oath he swore to uphold and it has resulted in the tragic murder of a productive *legal* member of society. A young life brutally destroyed by someone that shouldn't have even been in this country. The mayor's B.S. about "families with mixed immigration status" is meant to trivialize that our borders are being overrun by, yes, some good people illegally entering with otherwise positive interests, but also those here to take advantage of the benefits offered by tax payers to tax payers, criminals, gang members, drug traffickers, human traffickers, some mentally ill people, inmates released from other countries and members of foreign intelligence organizations and militaries. Let's see how you respond.

@@AB-eg8gc At 19:16 Mayor Girtz attempts to somehow roll back the clock 5 years to 2019 to blame President Trump for his rational observations regarding ILLEGAL immigration - that it's a mixture of people, some with good intentions and some with bad. And yes, that was in this press conference.

Why should he denounce immigrants, illegal or otherwise? It was one man who did this and I did not hear the mayor defend that man

@@AB-eg8gc lol. It's becoming comical at this point.

So many cases of crazy illegal immigrants committing violent acts and rape. The democratic party is extremely corrupt in so many ways even beyond the border crisis they caused but they are lovers of Sodom and Gomorrah and the democrats hate the word of God.

What do you think should be done to preemptively stop this thing that has happened one time? He is not law enforcement. Why are you all blaming him for this. Hell, if everyone is so insistent on blaming people other than the person who committed this murder, why not blame UGAs president or police chief or provost? It happened on UGA campus and if you are a resident then you know the city government and the city police really have no power on any part of that campus.

@@AB-eg8gc He is the mayor! He is responsible for upholding the law! He contributed to establishing "sanctuary city" status. That's his contribution and even at this very press conference he tried to deflect to the a misrepresentation of the tone set by President Trump somehow being in the mix, rather than take credit for his role in this tragedy. He serves the *legal* citizens, not *illegal* law breaking border crossers. This is a simple concept, yet here you are trying to spin it. Begone, you evil person.

More like an indoctrinator

What is the point you are making by stating that he is an educator?

@@AB-eg8gc The point is he obviously lacks an education on the Constitution and what his oath means, which makes it ironic. Obviously you haven't been educated on those subjects either.

Nothing that he said points to a lack of education on the constitution nor what his oath means. Can you elaborate on how I have indicated a lack of education on the constitution? @@georgevaccaro9379

​@@AB-eg8gc why tf are you defending this asshole?

He doesn't get to run for office without obeying his masters...

We are all saddened. All of the parents in Athens and across the country are grieving with her family. But I wonder why the names you listed are all people who are members of the Democratic Party.

@@AB-eg8gc Hmm, why are you so concerned? Paid by Democrats? You're certainly attempting a lot of opinion shaping in the comments. How's that working out?

I'm unclear on what you are asking when you ask how something is working out. Why would you think I was paid by democrats? When I came to this comment section and saw the shear ignorance on display and misdirected anger and even just straight up lies, I find that I cannot say nothing. Saying nothing is permissive of irresponsible spread of incorrect information. @@georgevaccaro9379

The resolution was simply an affirmation of our commitment to treat all people with dignity. Why on earth would we rescind such a resolution? It is a sad day that a commitment to treat all people with dignity is something that would cause contention and pain among any of the members of our community.

@@AB-eg8gc​​ Had the Mayor not instituted sanctuary city policies that prevented ICE from sending him packing, she would be ALIVE, and here you are acting like that doesnt matter! Would you tell her parents that to her face?

@@AB-eg8gc You're either a paid shill or the mayor himself, or maybe his mom. Let the mayor speak for himself, as his words do. The people are starting to wake up to this nonsense. Instead of spending time here in the comments you should be urging people who hold political office to uphold their oath to protect and defend the constitution - which specifically applies to *legal* citizens and not to *illegal* border crossers. If they want *legal* status they can apply for citizenship like many law abiding naturalized citizens have before them. There are literally billions of people around the world who would love to enjoy the opportunities, benefits AND responsibilities of being a US citizen. We cannot simply allow anyone from anywhere in the world (they are now flying into latin american countries) to waltz across the border and get benefits that even tax-paying legal citizens are not getting. Your points are weak and the good people of this country and this comments section are not going to buy your B.S. Save your time and head back to McDonalds, city hall, the call-center or "think tank", retirement home or Mommie's basement and try to find something actually productive to do with your life.

He said nothing to suggest the murderer should be treated with dignity and respect. He also did not blame Trump. How is it possible for someone to have a misunderstanding of this magnitude

trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/memorandum-deferred-enforced-departure-certain-venezuelans/

@@AB-eg8gc he definitely called for treating this murderer with dignity and respect

He never blamed Trump. But I do. trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/memorandum-deferred-enforced-departure-certain-venezuelans/

How did you come to that conclusion? Nothing said in this press conference suggests what you claim.

Liberalism is a mental disorder.

How has he not shown her human dignity?

@@AB-eg8gc I don't know maybe it's the facial disfigurement, or the attack resulting in loss of life when simply trying to go for a run?

@@AB-eg8gc By talking more about the feelings of illegal non-citizens than the victim of this horrific crime enabled by the ridiculous policies of liberals. It's quite simple if you know how to think for yourself.

Making him do what? Last I checked, it’s the cops who are supposed to protect us, not the mayor

​@@AB-eg8gcA mayor is an elected official who serves as the head of a city or town government. Mayors are responsible for overseeing the administration of local government, managing the city's budget, and ensuring that municipal services such as public safety, transportation, and utilities are provided to residents.. now you do the responsibilities of police officers..!

By definition is the Zenith official for public safety!

The most authority and foremost responsibility!

There was nothing “trump deranged” about his statements. And he is clearly empathetic. What is wrong with all of you?

@@AB-eg8gc who was the president in the late teens he was referring to when he signed the sanctuary statement

he mentioned Trump when explaining the nature of and the reason for passing that resolution which was in response to questions asked of him. It did not in any way suggest that he is trump deranged. From his own words, Our city council sought to affirm the spirit of our community as they did not want the rhetoric from Trump and his followers to fill our city with hate and make people feel unwelcome here. suggesting that harm fall upon his children is actually deranged. Please do not continue to misrepresent his words or actions. We are all, very one of us, feeling angry and heart broken right now. Attacking our neighbors or anyone else who is not the man who committed this crime, is destructive and not productive in any way. Turning this tragedy into some sort of political sound bite is wrong and takes focus away from her as a person. @@patriciadorner8007

@@AB-eg8gc He absolutely tried to blame Trump for this when at 19:16 he mischaracterized the former President's comments about ILLEGAL immigration and the wide diversity of law breaking border-crossers, ranging from good people to criminals here to take advantage of the citizens of our country. It was a lie AND a deflection from the obvious tragedy. Had our existing laws been enforced rather than thwarted by oath-breaking liberals, the perpetrator would not have been in our country to steal the life of a lovely young lady who was already a productive member of our society headed for a life of service to her fellow citizens. You should ask your self what is wrong with you. You're weak responses cannot survive the scrutiny of an awakened public. If you're not a shill, somehow, you should really inspect your own premises. You've going to have to confront your cognitive walls and start considering that the belief system is built on a bed of lies.

When did he blame Trump? Btw Kelly didn’t bring this up but I am. Y’all need some perspective : trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/memorandum-deferred-enforced-departure-certain-venezuelans/

This is just a stupid statement. I don’t usually use such a word but there is just no other way to respond to this

@@AB-eg8gc He broke the oath he took to protect and defend the constitution and the citizens of his town. "Under the laws of a state, it may be considered treason or a high crime to betray a sworn oath of office." Try to respond "AB".

How do you come to the conclusion that this is government without representation. We have elections here too just like everyone else

@@AB-eg8gc the point is that he's not "representing" the *legal* citizens and instead is pandering to *illegal* law-breaking non-citizens EVEN in the face of a horrible murder that should not have, and would not have, if he did his job and upheld his oath of office.

The very second they go against the constitution, they disqualify themselves.

I am guessing because all these people seem to think he is the one who committed a crime instead of the murderer who did this

@@AB-eg8gc The Mayor's crime was not upholding his oath and pandering to law-breaking non-citizens over actual law abiding legal citizens. Try again, shill.

@@AB-eg8gc this POS used the death of a student not even in his jurisdiction to hold a press conference and attack Trump. You can’t get any lower than that. I live in Athens and I guarantee this will be the end of his political career and his residency in the classic city.

@@georgevaccaro9379 it appears that the man from Venezuela may have not been here illegally trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/memorandum-deferred-enforced-departure-certain-venezuelans/

⁠@@whitehouseummahh9725he did not attack Trump. He called the press conference to respond to the concerns of the community and the many phone calls to his office . Your interpretation of this is so flawed it would seem that you didn’t not view the press conference or hear the actual words that were said

They didn't know he was a carpetbagger from New York.

Why do none of you people blame the murderer? Not a single comment here has even mentioned the man who committed this murder or even suggested that someone other than the mayor was on that trail thrusday morning

​@@AB-eg8gc Because these politicians policies allow these repeatedly arrested criminals to be released into their communities..