George Boston Rhynes Address to Valdosta Mayor, Council and Beyond! (City Council Meeting, May 5, 2005)

1. Mr. Mayor and Council! I thank you all for having me arrested on 5 May 2005 at 7:04 PM for the cause of justice, and the right to address our elected officials. As a retired miliary disabled veteran it gave me the opportunity to feel what other Great Americans felt that stood-on the principles of the Founding Fathers of this Republic. When we entered our jail cell in the Lowndes County jail an inmate said, “yal get up!

2. The Sheriff done raided the church. Then they gave me a tablet and pen as they gave me a tour of the ill conditions in the jail. On inmate said this is a “Slave Ship,” the only thing missing is the water beneath this Hell Hole. I saw first hand the filthy food trays, the kitchen inspection forms, objects shoved under bunks to keep them level, one working toiled for forty-two inmates, water in the shower runs non stop, no knobs on the shower. Upon interring the jail I was not seen by a nurse or asked any questions about my medical conditions. I could have had TB, or some other communicable conditions.

3. This was a problem U.S. District Court Judge Hugh Lawson found in June 1997 and ordered corrected within two years. My incarceration in the Lowndes County Jail only strengthened my belief that all Lowndes County Elected Officials must have a sense of loyalty, respect, and responsibility to those who elected them to serve their interests. It is, unlike the South Georgia Media that routinely publish lies, misinformation, ignores the facts, and consistently report that the land for Barber Park was donated by the Barber Family. And that there was a contractual agreement between the city and family. That made it almost impossible for the name to be changed. As reported in the Valdosta Daily times but was proved to be false.

4. The concerns of local citizens at these meetings Mr. Mayor and Council are not being reported to the public. Therefore, we may need to create a City News Letter.” This will better inform the people. Since our local media routinely ignores problems brought before governmental, educational, and community meetings.

5. FOR EXAMPLE: Local media ignored citizens complains about Gang activity in Valdosta for years, and that elderly citizens were afraid to come out of their homes because of gang violence. They ignored inmates sending signed letters and notarized statements to governmental agencies including the District Attorney (David Miller), and about the abuses, inhumane, unsanitary, and denial of inmates Constitutional Rights in the Lowndes county, they failed to report the many eye witnesses of the arrest of Willie James Williams on Lee Street or investigate why Ms Gilmore, who took the call from the hospital from Mr. Williams who told her that he was beaten and that she should see how they beat him to mention a few omissions from the Williams case.

6. Moreover, when Rev. Floyd Rose ran for Chairman of the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners. He received racial slurs, and threats were made on his life at J.C. Shack Road Polling place with a White Man being arrested. However, local media NEVER reported that Rev. Rose was the SUBJECT of these threats. And that not one Elected Official in the City of Valdosta, or in Lowndes County government said anything about the incident to the public or asked for further investigation---outside of Law Enforcement!

7. When local media had a forum with Project Change. The theme was “do we really want to talk about race.” When reporter Charles Moore from the Lake Park Post weekly newspaper asked pointed questions. It was quickly proved that no one really wanted to talk about race in Lowndes County. They failed to do a detailed investigation surrounding the mock lynchings of Black Dolls on a tree at Lowndes County High School in June 2003. When racial epithets were written on the tower at Valdosta High School there were no closure or in-depth reporting.

8. Local media ignored a bus accident on Clay Road in front of Rev. White house and he witnessed the accident. When comments were brought up at the Jimmy Rainwater Conference Center on improper hiring of Blacks. A former applicant said that employees on staff had spoken to him of the unfair hiring practices and that one Black applicant application was never considered. (Name available upon request). This too, was omitted from the newspapers although they were present at the Lowndes County Conference Center Meeting. The media said nothing when the disgraceful 1860 Valdosta City Charter was removed from these walls because I protested and insisted that it be removed because it was an insult to Blacks and all people of good will. It read in Article 100, Section XI, “THAT THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL SHALL PASS ALL PROPER AND NECESSARY LAWS AND ORDINANCES FOR THE CONTROL OF SLAVES AND FREE PERSONS OF COLOR IN SAID TOWN AND SUPPRESS AND ABATE ALL NUISANCES ARRIVING FROM HOGS, DOGS, HORSES, OR OTHER STOCK STRAYING AT LARGE IN SAID TOWN, OR FROM OTHER CAUSES.” (Names available upon request if this matter will be investigated).

9. For years Blacks complained about bad railroad tracks. And panhandlers but only recently did the press say anything to the public. When citizens were required to travel 13 miles round trip during the last City Election in a Black Precinct. Nothing was published to inform the citizens of Valdosta.

10. On 21 June 2003, a 49-year-old White male inmate died (name withheld but available upon request) in the Lowndes County Jail. However, it took local media 26 days to release his name after Civil Rights organizations told them that the public had a right to know. Therefore, the citizens of Lowndes have no idea of how many inmates have died in or surrounding the Lowndes County Jail. Because there is no (local) investigative reporting by our local Press.

11. Therefore, the citizens do not know how much money has been paid out through Civil Law Suits from abused inmates. Even more importantly is that the media seem to have a vested interest in not reporting the news to local citizens. Therefore, citizens do now know how many inmates have actually died in or surrounding the Lowndes County Jail. The Lake Park Post published about eight people who have died. Inmates stated that more have died but it is kept secret. Therefore, we may never know the truth of the matter.

12. When Black Deputies were being terminated from their job in the 1990s. They came to the Valdosta Lowndes County Branch of the NAACP and filed EEOC Complaints but the media failed to report their cases to the public. We do know that several former deputies won their cases. When the Editor was questioned as to the cause of a white 49-year-old white male inmate who died in the Lowndes County Jail on 21 June 2003 she provided NO answer. They ignored discussions of interest at Valdosta City School Board of Education meetings.

13. When Minister Rose was arrested the first, and second time along with fifteen others. It never made front-page coverage. It seem, that it is reserved for a cat trapped in a tree or for Blacks who rob a convenient store. Moreover, when Tiger Woods won the August National practically every newspaper in the nation had Tiger sporting that Highly Honored, and respected Green Jacket on the front page. But Not here in Valdosta Georgia! They even ignored peaceful protests against the War in Iraq held on the Courthouse steps, a protest at the Chamber of Commerce with about 300 citizens concerning the death of Willie James Williams and the eight to ten deaths of inmates who died in or surrounding the Lowndes County Jail dating back to 1988 have been down played by local media. Perhaps, the best-kept secret is the media’s ability to ignore Civil Action #89-54-VAL, filed in U.S. District Courts of the Middle District of Georgia, Valdosta Division against the Jail—without question. It was Judge Hugh Lawson that identified 105 violations to be corrected in two years (1997). However, current inmate letters indicate that the same violations remain.

14. Moreover, the South Georgia Media Networks have never reported the names of the individuals who died in one article. Nor have they stressed with great concern the ill conditions identified in Civil Action 89-54-VAL. However, Captain Yeager of the Sheriffs Department identified many discrepancies in the Times on two or three separate occasions. This was done seemingly to justify building a new jail. But the media, never really addressed the human suffering of jailed citizens many of who are American Veterans. The peak of the pyramid was revealed on May 5th, 2005, when Mayor John Fretti said something to the effects that. “Somebody might want to talk about their stray dog, or cat.” (His statement was apparently left out of the City Council Minutes).

15. However, his words revealed that the 1860 Valdosta City Charter Article 100, Section XI, was being followed. It also revealed the truth of the needle behind the haystack Every local Media outlet is guilty of failing to report the comments from Ms. Leigh Touchton speaking in favor of renaming the park. She is a National Hero, for being the 1st White Woman to be elected President of an NAACP Branch in this Country. But her comments were a total whiteout. Local media failed to mention that TWO of the seven Women arrested were white, that Dr. Santas a white professor from Valdosta State University who spoke eloquently concerning the name change. He was also instrumental in assembling a two-hour documentary video years ago entitled “A Chorus of Fear,” outlining the truth behind the Good Boy System in Lowndes County. Dr. Santas wife with her son were also omitted from the article on renaming the park.

16. They ignored, JESSE CLARK, a Retired Educator, and Vice President of the local NAACP who spoke of the benefits of renaming Barber Park after Ossie Davis. They ignored Willie Head, Vice President of the Peoples Tribunal comments on renaming the park. Mr. Head has traveled to four foreign countries including Cuba on behalf of Black Farmers. He sat in the White House with former President Bill Clinton on behalf of Black Farmers. They ignored Queen Ann Robinson a nationally recognized Poet who said, “God is just, so you must be just. Justice is the foundation of civilization and if justice does not exist, civilization crumbles. If justice is not rendered, you will be removed."

a. They failed to report that the 2-3 vote by the Council not to consider a committee to rename Barber Park was divided down Racial Lines. Even after they acknowledge their mistake about the land being donated for Barber Park on 24 April 2005, they continued to publish Rants that the park was donated and that there was a contractual agreement.

17. Yes! All this was a total “WHITEOUT” in the South Georgia Press. It is also strange that no Television Network was present at either of these meetings of community importance. They even ignored the arrest of the President of the local NAACP Branch. The NAACP is the oldest Civil Rights Organization in the Nation. Therefore, we must ask why? What was the purpose? Lets take a second look at the 1860 Valdosta City Charter: “THAT THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL SHALL PASS ALL PROPER AND NECESSARY LAWS AND ORDINANCES FOR THE CONTROL OF SLAVES AND FREE PERSONS OF COLOR IN SAID TOWN AND SUPPRESS AND ABATE ALL NUISANCES ARRIVING FROM HOGS, DOGS, HORSES, OR OTHER STOCK STRAYING AT LARGE IN SAID TOWN, OR FROM OTHER CAUSES.” Is this also the purpose of the South Georgia Media Network to keep people ignorant and unable to make intelligent decisions based on truth in order to maintain the Status Quo?

18. The Valdosta Daily Times omitted that two Police Vans were parked outside City Hall before the meeting began on 5 May 2005, and that extra Law Enforcement were also on the scene, and they were as ready as Freddi to abide by Article 100, Section XI, of an 1860 City Charter to “Control, Suppress, and Abate all Nuisances arriving from slaves, and free persons of color, Hogs, Dogs, Horses, or other stock straying at large in Valdosta Georgia. Our Mayor even referenced stray animals in the May 5th meeting. The media failed to mention that Rev. Floyd Rose was placed in a cell for a hard-core criminal away from those arrested with him.

19. Moreover, the Atlanta Journal, August Chronicle, and Macon Observer used words like unruly minister and fourteen others were arrested. We must question the Local News Media concerning their operating procedures. There seem to be an internal seed that is consistent with the 1860 Valdosta City Charter.

20. It should be noted that Minister Rose and the fourteen other freedom fighters name never appeared in the paper or on television. Only in the Crime Reports of the Times were they published. When they should have been recognized as the great followers of the Nobel Peace Prize Winner the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Mr. Mayor and Council. This is not just about Barber Park, or Minister Rose. It is about leaving 1860-1965 and coming into the 21st Century of inclusion, love, justice, and truth. You all must understand that a squeaking wheel can only be stopped by applying grease to the problem.

21. Mr. Mayor and Council! Do you not understand-that the conditions of the times brought into existence a Mosses, David, Queen Ester, Ezekiel, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X. And it is the conditions in our City that gave our community a Minister Floyd Rose, and the fifteen others arrested on 5 May 2005. And there will be many, many more because the conditions of the times demand that they come. Our God will always send liberators and agitatorsto meet the needs of his people.

22. Now! Mr. Mayor and Council, your actions have put the “Eyes of the Nation” on Valdosta and Lowndes County Georgia. That was something we could never do without God working through you---on our behalf. Therefore, I thank you for allowing God to use you in our quest for justice, equality and liberation! Mr. Mayor and Council I assure you, that “We the People” will not bury our head in the sand like the Legend concerning the ostrich and pretend that we are in heaven.

23. BARBER PARK'S NAME WILL EVENTUALLY BE CHANGED. There are signs and symbols all around us paying tribute to Whites. Even though, in truth they are only symbols that had their beginning in Africa the homeland of ancient and modern man. Masonic symbols are on buildings in and out of the Courtrooms in Valdosta Georgia. Valdosta State University has the Jewish Star of David practically everywhere. Hate groups have their signs and symbols of pride down town on buildings. The only thing missing is their eyes to keep ordinary people ignorant.

24. Mr. Mayor and Council if you fail to do the right thing others will come to straighten out what you have made crooked. Because Luke 4:18 cannot be ignored without paying a great PRICE. It is easier to embrace the 21st Century of change, fairness, and inclusion by standing on the side of TRUTH, JUSTICE, and EQUALITY. Because when truth comes FALSEHOOD must vanish, and FALSEHOOD is forever a vanishing thing. It vanished in Selma, Little Rock, Montgomery, Birmingham, in the heart of Governor Wallace, Lester Maddox, and other cities across this nation. So today, it is only fitting and proper that it comes to South Georgia. The days of control, suppression, and abating is coming to and end. The only question is how costly it will be for those who reject change, fairness and inclusion.

25. Mr. Mayor and Council, don’t ask Blacks to forget their segregated, and painful historical past without first asking the Jews, and Native Americans to forget what happened to them. It has been reported that 6 million Jews were killed under Hitler. Blacks cannot begin their count under 100 Million. You can ignore our pain and tell yourself that it is all about renaming Barber Park and Minister Floyd Rose. But this issue is much larger that a Park and is growing everyday---that it is delayed. It is about treating your neighbor, as you yourself would want to be treated.

26. Today the word is out among many Civil Rights organizations because of the arrest of fifteen law-abiding citizens. This matter is NOW completely in the hand of the God who delivered Daniel from the Lions Den, Jonah from the belly of the beast, and surely he will deliver us from what seem to be an 1860 mentality and a local media that ignores the power of the human spirit. Peace!

GEORGE RHYNES
President of the Valdosta Lowndes County Branch
Of the NAACP, A concerned Citizen and brother of humanity!

PS The City Council Meeting following the arrest of Minister Rose and the fourteen others were conducted as usual. All comments by Blacks were totally ignored by the media as if they were not even present at the Valdosta City Council meeting on 19 May 2005. Again, this seem to be a routine practice in this South Georgia Town (See the 1860 City Charter Article 100, Section XI)

Although, Blacks spoke as forcefully as they did at previous meetings over the last five months. The South Georgia Media “Whiteout Machine” did not publish one word concerning the issues Blacks brought before the council on 19 May 2005, concerning the purpose for which fifteen Citizens were arrested on 5 May 2005.

This is the arrogance of a system that goes unchecked, unreported, and unchanged apparently from the Old City Charter Days. Therefore, local citizens in South Georgia have been ill informed for too long with no change in sight. I am convinced that nothing will change in this South Georgia Town without an independent outside investigation or the Federal Government from outside this area coming in and understanding Luke 4:18. Inmates, call Valdosta a “Hell Hole” for blacks. (Extracted from Inmates signed letters and notarized statements dated July 2003). Available upon request, because in the end only truth will set us free. Peace!

RHYNES THANK MAYOR AND COUNCIL FOR HIS ARREST ON 5 MAY 2005 @ 7:PM. But was sure that in the end their efforts on behalf of truth would be honored by fellow Americans and God himself!