Their standing ovations and shouts and cheers weren't to disband a special grand jury investigating alleged corruption in city government.

Those who showed up in a show of support for Augusta's black elected officials and city department heads said they were there to take issue with what appears to be a smear campaign targeted at minorities in positions of power.

"We are sending a message to our (black) leaders: 'Don't become a department head, or we will get you,"' said James Edward Carter III, one of those who showed up for the two-hour town hall meeting at Antioch Baptist Church.

Speakers said the alleged smear campaign, which they said is being championed by the special grand jury and reported by The Augusta Chronicle, should be brought to an end. And equal treatment of all races should be at the forefront of every elected official's agenda, black or white, they said.

The rally is expected to be the first of many being organized by three of the city's most active black organizations - the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Concerned Ministers of Augusta and the Concerned Citizens of Augusta.

Speakers and attendees ranged from everyday residents to state officials. Among them were state Sen. Charles Walker, former civic center General Manager Reggie Williams and a smattering of those singled out by name in recent grand jury reports, including Augusta Commissioner Lee Beard, Deputy Fire Chief Carl Scott and state Rep. Henry Howard.

The community forum was designed to present another side of the story, one not told by the grand jury and one unreported by the media, speakers said.

Augusta Commission member Lee Beard speaks at the rally at Antioch Baptist Church in response to the special grand jury report. ANDREW DAVIS TUCKER/STAFF

"We are here to address a pattern of attack on black leadership," said Mallory Millender, a Paine College professor and one of several speakers. "We are here to protest the treatment of black people."

Instead of looking objectively at city government, the report overlooks the wrongs committed by whites, such as a tag office employee who was convicted for embezzling thousands of dollars, they said. Stephanie Lynn Womack was indicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison last year after pleading guilty to 75 criminal charges for stealing at least $149,280, but the grand jurors never mentioned her by name in a presentment on the tag office.

On the other hand, a black loan officer involved in the city's Minority Link Deposit Program was criticized in a separate report for awarding loans that grand jurors said had the appearance of impropriety.

"It is important for us as citizens to not only tell the truth but to hold (the grand jury) accountable for the truth," said Cedric Johnson, the loan officer named in the grand jury's latest presentment. "The report is less than factual and leaves out a lot of information that would make it fair and equitable."

Mr. Johnson said that he was involved in only one loan named in the presentment and that there were many other loans the grand jury failed to find.

At points during the rally, the audience rose to its feet and roared with applause, an emotional outpouring that some said was almost surprising.

"I think it shows we're going to have to start listening," said Human Relations Commission Chairman Kent Spruill. "Nobody was defending wrongdoing. It was about the way it was done and the way it came out."

Deputy Chief Scott, who was painted by grand jurors as an abusive and tyrannical leader, said he was inspired by the community support.

"It felt very rewarding," he said. "It just goes to show you, there's two sides to the story, and people want to hear it."

Reach Heidi Coryell Williams at (706) 823-3215 or heidi.williams@augustachronicle.com.