Fed up with what they call the continued decline of Harrisburg, a group of residents plan to march Saturday morning to protest absentee landlords and drug activity in the neighborhood.
The two go hand in hand, organizers say.
"I am sick of this element ruling this neighborhood," homeowner Lori Davis said. "This is just a start for us. We've had enough."
About 20 to 30 people are on board for the Fourth of July demonstration, she said.
The group will meet at 10 a.m. at the fire station at the corner of Ellis and Eve streets, then, carrying placards, will protest in front of what they term "nuisance" properties.
Concerned about potential libel/slander litigation, she would not say specifically why they will focus on these locations. She wants to get landlords' attention -- she's considering protesting in front of their homes and businesses next -- but she's trying to walk a fine legal line, Mrs. Davis said.
"These are nuisances in our neighborhood because of multiple complaints we're getting from people around these properties," she said. "Just know that there are complaints over and over and over."
Mrs. Davis is vice president of the Harrisburg-West End Neighborhood Association, and another protest organizer is Butch Palmer, a board of directors member and the founder of HONGKONG -- Harrisburg Organization Networking for Gentrification to Keep Our Neighborhood from becoming a Ghetto.
But Mrs. Davis stressed that no particular group or church is behind the march, just "concerned citizens" who either own property or live in the historic former mill village. She acts as landlord liaison for the neighborhood association, and she said that as she has tried to persuade owners to clean up their properties several have involved their attorneys.
"It's rare that we get a landlord that is willing to look into the problem, to do anything about it, to even get back in touch with us," Mrs. Davis said.
Col. Gary Powell of the Richmond County Sheriff's Office said the protesters won't need a permit Saturday because the city's protest ordinance was ruled unconstitutional by an 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals panel in 2004, after the Martha Burk-Augusta National Golf Club case. Deputies will be monitoring, though, the colonel said.
Mr. Palmer said he has reasons for planning the event on Saturday.
"Because it's Independence Day, and we want freedom from drug dealers and irresponsible landlords," he said. "I think it will send the message that they're being watched by people from all over the neighborhood."
Reach Johnny Edwards at (706) 823-3225 or johnny.edwards@augustachronicle.com.
NO GUNS ALLOWED
Butch Palmer said he originally planned to combine a gun permit drive with Saturday's demonstration, and he wanted to have marchers carry arms and fire blank rounds into the air as in a 21-gun salute. The Richmond County Sheriff's Office told him to do no such thing.
Col. Gary Powell said it's illegal to discharge a firearm in a residential area, even blanks, and he also feared it might ignite a confrontation.
Other march organizers were against the idea, too, Mr. Palmer said.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Good luck with that. Those landlords couldn't care less, and the drug dealers will only make a note of who is protesting and where they live. Until the po po start having foot or bike patrols in that area, and ticketing people for not taking care of their property, nothing will change
Good Luck...We as citizens need to take to the streets and protest ALL the sh** that is taking place...on a local level and on a national level.........Power to the People!!!! Be Aware and Be Alert.
Great idea. I'm sure you've notified the local paper since they're carrying this story. I hope they cover it with a photographer so the properties will be identified. I hope at least one of the local tv stations will cover it too.
eh, i'm glad the 21 gun salute thing was nixed. tensions are going to be high enough with protesters bringing unwanted attention to properties where questionable activities are taking place.
Good for them. I hope all the news channels cover this march.
Better have ya gun with you loaded with hydroshocks.
fiat, i agree 100% get the police out of the vehicles and back into the neighborhoods is the only way to deter crime. better yet why not decentralize the police department into precincts located in the bad neighborhoods instead of having them centrally located
March down the streets, firing guns in the air. Is this guy a moron?
In the past several months, residents of Harrisburg have been getting gun permits, and taking gun safety courses. It would be surprising to the ordinary thug, how many residents are carrying guns legally at this point. People who live in Harrisburg have had enough, and will eventually prevail. One can only hope that the names of the landlords are exposed to the public on Saturday the 4th. Rumor has it, that this is part of the plan.
the posts suggesting the police get things undere control are right on target. Come on Sheriff Strength, get 'em out there whippin' asx and there'll be no need for protests!
I hope y'all push them out!
Good luck, Hope it gets the attention you are hoping for!
I moved to Harrisburg when I was 14. That was 44 years ago. You could already see the beginning of the decline. I support your effort and wish you much success.
I think the section 8 should be named as slummlords, they are not inspecting the rental properties, the renter should do some of the cleaning up, not to destroy where they live. All the unregisterd cars should be removed too. That is the renters obligation.
We fired our guns and them thugs kept a'comin. There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago. We fired once more and they began to runnin' down 1-20 ....and out of our neighborhood.
hmm, lol.
@Morningglory: Boy, I haven't heard that song in, like, forever! I liked the flip side better, sap that I was at the tender age of nine.
Demonstrate, absolutely, and I hope it attracts some attention. Hotheads with guns, absolutely not!
I am pro gun to the core, but you don't flaunt this type of responsibility. Keep the fact that you have a gun quiet, unless you intend to use it.
Butch and his cronies scare me just as much as the low-lifes who walk the streets here at night.Barney Strength,says he dont want to arrest the prostitutes because of the cost involved.He also states that they KNOW of the drug houses but dont have the room to house them OR they need more "evidence".These hookers and drug pushers are NOT discreet.Ray Charles could have busted them.Its a no-win situation until the police get off their behinds and do something.Butch,did you ever stop to think that if you shoot a blank gun that someone will shoot back with a REAL gun?By the way,these are the ugliest hookers i've ever seen in my life.
When your all doped up for days and have not showered, I don't think the looks of a hoe are important.