Decatur Mayor Faces Calls for Resignation: In Decatur, Alabama, a month has passed since the tragic shooting death of Stephen Perkins outside his home on September 29th. Despite the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency denying the family attorney’s request for body cam footage, the family persists in their quest for transparency.
During the Decatur City Council work session on Monday, advocates for justice in Perkins’ death expressed their concerns, notably highlighting the absence of Mayor Tab Bowling. Community members and pastors, representing diverse delegations, called for the mayor’s resignation in his absence.
Pastor Patrick Tucker of Union Grove Primitive Baptist Church voiced his disappointment, stating, “When things get tough, as a pastor, I’ve got to take the heat, regardless of if I like it or not. By him not being here, it shows that he’s not able to take the heat. In other words, I call for your resignation immediately.”
Various community members addressed the city council, urging them to uphold accountability for city leaders. Councilman Billy Jackson, towards the end of the meeting, emphasized the need for healing. “I hope that we can begin to heal. I hope that we can get to an end of this process where we give due process and move down the road. I do think the only way for us to be in that process is by removal of the officers, all of the officers involved, and our police chief,” Jackson asserted.
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Looking ahead, Stephen’s brother, Nicholas Perkins, shared the family’s daily struggle. “With each second, we just pray and stand on our faith in God to help us through, and we rely on the memories we had,” Perkins said. Despite the challenges, he expressed gratitude for the support, stating, “I’ll tell you what… as tragic as this was… they killed the right person and the wrong person. They weren’t expecting the whole city to be behind him or our family… and for that, our family says thank you.”
In response to the criticism, Mayor Bowling, in a phone conversation with News 19’s Lynsey Smith, explained that his absence from the meeting was due to a short agenda with no items pertaining to him. He emphasized that, as he doesn’t have a vote, attending city council meetings or work sessions is not mandatory for him.
Our Reader’s Queries
Is Decatur Alabama a good place to live?
Decatur offers a cozy atmosphere for families, with excellent school choices and a touch of southern charm. While the dining and nightlife scenes in town are a bit limited, the city is experiencing growth thanks to the booming expansion of nearby Huntsville. As a result, Decatur is gradually seeing an increase in its options for dining and entertainment.
What is the history of Decatur Alabama?
Named in tribute to Stephen Decatur following his death in a duel in 1820, President Monroe ordered the Alabama town to be named after him. By the early 1830s, Decatur served as the eastern endpoint of the Tuscumbia, Courtland and Decatur Railroad, marking the pioneering construction of the first railway to the west of the Appalachian Mountains.