Activists and civil rights leaders are calling on the City of Atlanta to stop clearing homeless encampments following the death of Cornelius Taylor last week.
Witnesses said a city construction vehicle killed Taylor while he was still in his tent along Old Wheat Street in Atlanta.
Before Thursday’s city council meeting, members of his family joined organizers from Housing Justice League and longtime activists Reverend Timothy McDonald and Attorney Mawuli Davis on the steps of City Hall.
“I couldn’t save him, but we can all save the next one,” said Taylor’s cousin Darlene Chaney, who said they were raised together. “There shouldn’t be a next one. There won’t be a next one if we stop the sweeps.”
She said Taylor was like a big brother. He called her often and they’d discuss Bible verses. She said he didn’t deserve to die.