The Georgia Coalition 2 Save Lives organization distributed an open letter to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp last Wednesday requesting a meeting to immediately address the disproportionate toll of COVID-19 on communities of color, the elderly, and the incarcerated population.
Beyond the coalition’s “call to action” to Kemp, it has also encouraged cities and counties to extend executive orders, ordinances, or resolutions that will direct their citizens to engage in protective behaviors to safeguard their health and well-being, as recommended by the CDC and federal guideline.
“We’re deeply concerned the community that bears the greatest burden of this disease isn’t being protected nor even has a voice at the table where decisions are being made about public health,” said Mawuli Davis, spokesman for the Georgia Coalition 2 Save Lives. “We want the governor to collaborate and meet with coalition leaders to devise a sustainable plan to help save lives.”
Launched by a small group of community organizers, the organization is comprised of lawyers, civil and human rights organizations, faith leaders, community members, and elected officials working to save the lives of Georgia’s citizens who will face life-threatening consequences as a result of Governor Kemp’s reopening of Georgia.
A community-based collaboration, the coalition continues to garner support for its efforts since an initial team of community organizers came together last week to execute a funeral processional protest of the Governor’s re-opening of the state.
It has garnered support from more than 60 diverse national partners including the American Medical Association, the National Bar Association, the NAACP, ACLU, and a host of statewide and local faith, business, legal, healthcare professionals as well as community and Civil Rights organizations.
“We’re asking for Governor Kemp to sit down with key leaders from this coalition to chart a path together to do what’s best for our communities especially when vulnerable and rural communities are still facing high death rates from an invisible enemy,” Davis said. “Georgians will benefit from a consensus among political and community leaders to guide a moral and ethical response plan that addresses both the health and economic implications of the COVID-19 crisis. This life-altering crisis calls for consultation, collaboration, and cooperation among us all.”
A copy of the letter can be found at http://gacoalition2savelives.com/
