The household of the unhoused man killed by an Atlanta Metropolis Public Works truck is demanding coverage change on how the town handles homelessness. Cornelius Taylor was killed throughout a metropolis mandated encampment clean-out, based on 11 Alive. His dying has sparked outraged inside the metropolis.
The incident occurred on Jan. 16 simply days earlier than Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In reality, some activists have accused the town of prompting the clean-outs due to the upcoming vacation, based on Fox Information. Metropolis officers have reportedly denied these claims.
“Cornelius Taylor died due to failure of metropolis coverage,” group activist Derrick Boazman stated throughout a protest on the steps of Metropolis Corridor, based on WSB-TV.
In a press release made by the Metropolis of Atlanta Division of Public Works (DPW), they stated “Our division routinely clears encampments that pose well being and public security considerations, all the time following days of outreach to attach unsheltered people with housing and help providers.”
In line with witnesses on the scene, a rubbish truck ran over Taylor whereas he was sleeping in his tent. He was later taken to the hospital the place he died, based on officers. An actual reason behind dying has not been launched to the general public but.
Since Taylor’s killing, a number of group activists and politicians have expressed their upset and disbelief at how Atlanta’s homeless inhabitants is being handled.
“There needs to be a change in how we deal with homelessness,” Metropolis Councilwoman Lilliana Bakhtiari stated throughout a council assembly. “It’s not working. It has not been working.” Moreover, the councilwoman referred to as on officers to halt future encampment clean-outs till the town totally investigates Taylor’s dying. “You don’t sweep encampments; you home them,” Bakhtiari continued. “Cornelius Taylor deserved to be housed. Housing is a human proper.”
Throughout a current rally for Taylor, his household expressed they’d a requirement letter they wished to personally give to Atlanta Mayor Dickens. In line with them, police prevented this from taking place. The mayor’s workplace stated the household refused to offer the letter to a consultant, reported 11 Alive.
The mayor spoke on Taylor’s dying in a press release saying, “I’m saddened by this horrible incident and prolong my ideas and prayers to the household of the deceased. I care deeply about every life on this metropolis.” He then promised to evaluation and examine “processes and procedures… to make sure this by no means occurs once more.”