Latest news with #Gullah
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Slave descendants still fighting for Georgia court to hear discrimination claims from 2023
Gullah-Geechee-Land Protections DARIEN, Ga. (AP) — Black landowners from a tiny island community returned to a Georgia courtroom Friday urging a judge to let them move forward with a lawsuit that accuses local officials of illegally weakening protections for one of the South's last Gullah-Geechee communities founded by freed slaves. Residents and landowners of Hogg Hummock on Sapelo Island have yet to see a judge weigh the merits of their discrimination case nearly two years after they first sued McIntosh County. They say county commissioners targeted a mostly poor, Black population with 2023 zoning changes that benefit wealthy white land buyers and developers. So far, the case has been bogged down by technicalities. A judge last year dismissed the original lawsuit, citing legal errors unrelated to its alleged rights violations. On Friday, a lawyer for McIntosh County asked a judge to also throw out an amended version of the suit, saying it failed to state a legal conflict within the court's jurisdiction and missed critical deadlines set by state law. Residents fear unaffordable tax increases The zoning rules being challenged doubled the size of homes allowed in Hogg Hummock, one of a dwindling number of small communities started by emancipated island slaves — known collectively as Gullah, or Geechee in Georgia — scattered from North Carolina to Florida. Scholars say these peoples' separation from the mainland caused them to retain much of their African heritage, from their unique dialect to skills and crafts such as cast-net fishing and weaving baskets. Hogg Hummock's few dozen remaining residents and their advocates say the changes will bring unaffordable tax increases, threatening one of America's most historically and culturally unique Black communities. 'We're in limbo,' said Richard Banks, who owns the Sapelo Island home of his late father, built on land passed down in his family for generations. 'You don't know what decisions you have to make in regard to your property.' The lawsuit by the Southern Poverty Law Center asks a judge to declare the zoning changes violate the landowners' constitutional rights to due process and equal protection by discriminating against them 'on the basis of race.' It also accuses the county of violating Georgia laws governing zoning procedures and public meetings. County lawyers say the lawsuit was filed too late McIntosh County's lawyers deny commissioners violated anyone's rights. But they argue the lawsuit should be dismissed without getting into those claims. They say fears of hypothetical tax increases don't present a valid legal conflict for a judge to decide. 'There's no allegation that existing businesses must close,' attorney Patrick Jaugstetter said in court Friday. 'There's no evidence that any current use of a property must cease.' Jaugstetter also said the refiled lawsuit came too late, well beyond Georgia's 30-day deadline for challenging zoning decisions and its six-month deadline for alleging violations of the open meetings law. Malissa Williams, a lawyer for the Black landowners, said those deadlines were met by the original lawsuit filed in 2023. 'They should be allowed to challenge the (zoning) amendments because they will have a ripple effect on every aspect of their lives,' Williams said. Discrimination case is one of two pending lawsuits by Black residents Senior Judge F. Gates Peed did not rule from the bench Friday. He asked both sides to submit proposed orders by the end of August. A second legal battle between Sapelo Island residents and county officials is pending before the Georgia Supreme Court. A decision is expected by mid-November on whether residents can attempt to repeal the 2023 zoning changes by forcing a special election. A scheduled referendum last fall was halted by a lower court judge, who ruled the vote was illegal. Solve the daily Crossword
18-07-2025
- Politics
Slave descendants still fighting for court to hear discrimination claims from 2023
DARIEN, Ga. -- Black landowners from a tiny island community returned to a Georgia courtroom Friday urging a judge to let them move forward with a lawsuit that accuses local officials of illegally weakening protections for one of the South's last Gullah-Geechee communities founded by freed slaves. Residents and landowners of Hogg Hummock on Sapelo Island have yet to see a judge weigh the merits of their discrimination case nearly two years after they first sued McIntosh County. They say county commissioners targeted a mostly poor, Black population with 2023 zoning changes that benefit wealthy white land buyers and developers. So far, the case has been bogged down by technicalities. A judge last year dismissed the original lawsuit, citing legal errors unrelated to its alleged rights violations. On Friday, a lawyer for McIntosh County asked a judge to also throw out an amended version of the suit, saying it failed to state a legal conflict within the court's jurisdiction and missed critical deadlines set by state law. The zoning rules being challenged doubled the size of homes allowed in Hogg Hummock, one of a dwindling number of small communities started by emancipated island slaves — known collectively as Gullah, or Geechee in Georgia — scattered from North Carolina to Florida. Scholars say these peoples' separation from the mainland caused them to retain much of their African heritage, from their unique dialect to skills and crafts such as cast-net fishing and weaving baskets. Hogg Hummock's few dozen remaining residents and their advocates say the changes will bring unaffordable tax increases, threatening one of America's most historically and culturally unique Black communities. 'We're in limbo,' said Richard Banks, who owns the Sapelo Island home of his late father, built on land passed down in his family for generations. 'You don't know what decisions you have to make in regard to your property.' The lawsuit by the Southern Poverty Law Center asks a judge to declare the zoning changes violate the landowners' constitutional rights to due process and equal protection by discriminating against them 'on the basis of race.' It also accuses the county of violating Georgia laws governing zoning procedures and public meetings. McIntosh County's lawyers deny commissioners violated anyone's rights. But they argue the lawsuit should be dismissed without getting into those claims. They say fears of hypothetical tax increases don't present a valid legal conflict for a judge to decide. 'There's no allegation that existing businesses must close,' attorney Patrick Jaugstetter said in court Friday. 'There's no evidence that any current use of a property must cease.' Jaugstetter also said the refiled lawsuit came too late, well beyond Georgia's 30-day deadline for challenging zoning decisions and its six-month deadline for alleging violations of the open meetings law. Malissa Williams, a lawyer for the Black landowners, said those deadlines were met by the original lawsuit filed in 2023. 'They should be allowed to challenge the (zoning) amendments because they will have a ripple effect on every aspect of their lives,' Williams said. Senior Judge F. Gates Peed did not rule from the bench Friday. He asked both sides to submit proposed orders by the end of August. A second legal battle between Sapelo Island residents and county officials is pending before the Georgia Supreme Court. A decision is expected by mid-November on whether residents can attempt to repeal the 2023 zoning changes by forcing a special election.
Hamilton Spectator
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Slave descendants still fighting for Georgia court to hear discrimination claims from 2023
DARIEN, Ga. (AP) — Black landowners from a tiny island community returned to a Georgia courtroom Friday urging a judge to let them move forward with a lawsuit that accuses local officials of illegally weakening protections for one of the South's last Gullah-Geechee communities founded by freed slaves. Residents and landowners of Hogg Hummock on Sapelo Island have yet to see a judge weigh the merits of their discrimination case nearly two years after they first sued McIntosh County. They say county commissioners targeted a mostly poor, Black population with 2023 zoning changes that benefit wealthy white land buyers and developers. So far, the case has been bogged down by technicalities. A judge last year dismissed the original lawsuit, citing legal errors unrelated to its alleged rights violations. On Friday, a lawyer for McIntosh County asked a judge to also throw out an amended version of the suit, saying it failed to state a legal conflict within the court's jurisdiction and missed critical deadlines set by state law. Residents fear unaffordable tax increases The zoning rules being challenged doubled the size of homes allowed in Hogg Hummock, one of a dwindling number of small communities started by emancipated island slaves — known collectively as Gullah , or Geechee in Georgia — scattered from North Carolina to Florida. Scholars say these peoples' separation from the mainland caused them to retain much of their African heritage, from their unique dialect to skills and crafts such as cast-net fishing and weaving baskets. Hogg Hummock's few dozen remaining residents and their advocates say the changes will bring unaffordable tax increases, threatening one of America's most historically and culturally unique Black communities. 'We're in limbo,' said Richard Banks, who owns the Sapelo Island home of his late father, built on land passed down in his family for generations. 'You don't know what decisions you have to make in regard to your property.' The lawsuit by the Southern Poverty Law Center asks a judge to declare the zoning changes violate the landowners' constitutional rights to due process and equal protection by discriminating against them 'on the basis of race.' It also accuses the county of violating Georgia laws governing zoning procedures and public meetings. County lawyers say the lawsuit was filed too late McIntosh County's lawyers deny commissioners violated anyone's rights. But they argue the lawsuit should be dismissed without getting into those claims. They say fears of hypothetical tax increases don't present a valid legal conflict for a judge to decide. 'There's no allegation that existing businesses must close,' attorney Patrick Jaugstetter said in court Friday. 'There's no evidence that any current use of a property must cease.' Jaugstetter also said the refiled lawsuit came too late, well beyond Georgia's 30-day deadline for challenging zoning decisions and its six-month deadline for alleging violations of the open meetings law. Malissa Williams, a lawyer for the Black landowners, said those deadlines were met by the original lawsuit filed in 2023. 'They should be allowed to challenge the (zoning) amendments because they will have a ripple effect on every aspect of their lives,' Williams said. Discrimination case is one of two pending lawsuits by Black residents Senior Judge F. Gates Peed did not rule from the bench Friday. He asked both sides to submit proposed orders by the end of August. A second legal battle between Sapelo Island residents and county officials is pending before the Georgia Supreme Court. A decision is expected by mid-November on whether residents can attempt to repeal the 2023 zoning changes by forcing a special election. A scheduled referendum last fall was halted by a lower court judge, who ruled the vote was illegal. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Slave descendants still fighting for Georgia court to hear discrimination claims from 2023
DARIEN, Ga. (AP) — Black landowners from a tiny island community returned to a Georgia courtroom Friday urging a judge to let them move forward with a lawsuit that accuses local officials of illegally weakening protections for one of the South's last Gullah-Geechee communities founded by freed slaves. Residents and landowners of Hogg Hummock on Sapelo Island have yet to see a judge weigh the merits of their discrimination case nearly two years after they first sued McIntosh County. They say county commissioners targeted a mostly poor, Black population with 2023 zoning changes that benefit wealthy white land buyers and developers. So far, the case has been bogged down by technicalities. A judge last year dismissed the original lawsuit, citing legal errors unrelated to its alleged rights violations. On Friday, a lawyer for McIntosh County asked a judge to also throw out an amended version of the suit, saying it failed to state a legal conflict within the court's jurisdiction and missed critical deadlines set by state law. Residents fear unaffordable tax increases The zoning rules being challenged doubled the size of homes allowed in Hogg Hummock, one of a dwindling number of small communities started by emancipated island slaves — known collectively as Gullah, or Geechee in Georgia — scattered from North Carolina to Florida. Scholars say these peoples' separation from the mainland caused them to retain much of their African heritage, from their unique dialect to skills and crafts such as cast-net fishing and weaving baskets. Hogg Hummock's few dozen remaining residents and their advocates say the changes will bring unaffordable tax increases, threatening one of America's most historically and culturally unique Black communities. 'We're in limbo,' said Richard Banks, who owns the Sapelo Island home of his late father, built on land passed down in his family for generations. 'You don't know what decisions you have to make in regard to your property.' The lawsuit by the Southern Poverty Law Center asks a judge to declare the zoning changes violate the landowners' constitutional rights to due process and equal protection by discriminating against them 'on the basis of race.' It also accuses the county of violating Georgia laws governing zoning procedures and public meetings. County lawyers say the lawsuit was filed too late McIntosh County's lawyers deny commissioners violated anyone's rights. But they argue the lawsuit should be dismissed without getting into those claims. They say fears of hypothetical tax increases don't present a valid legal conflict for a judge to decide. 'There's no allegation that existing businesses must close,' attorney Patrick Jaugstetter said in court Friday. 'There's no evidence that any current use of a property must cease.' Jaugstetter also said the refiled lawsuit came too late, well beyond Georgia's 30-day deadline for challenging zoning decisions and its six-month deadline for alleging violations of the open meetings law. Malissa Williams, a lawyer for the Black landowners, said those deadlines were met by the original lawsuit filed in 2023. 'They should be allowed to challenge the (zoning) amendments because they will have a ripple effect on every aspect of their lives,' Williams said. Discrimination case is one of two pending lawsuits by Black residents Senior Judge F. Gates Peed did not rule from the bench Friday. He asked both sides to submit proposed orders by the end of August. A second legal battle between Sapelo Island residents and county officials is pending before the Georgia Supreme Court. A decision is expected by mid-November on whether residents can attempt to repeal the 2023 zoning changes by forcing a special election. A scheduled referendum last fall was halted by a lower court judge, who ruled the vote was illegal.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Here are 5 ways to celebrate Juneteenth in and around the Myrtle Beach area
As June 19 nears, the Grand Strand is preparing to celebrate Juneteenth. Although South Carolina still doesn't recognize the holiday, Juneteenth was nationally recognized in 2021. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued Sept. 22, 1862 and took effect Jan. 1, 1863, but it would be a full 900 days before the proclamation was enforced in Texas. At the time news traveled slowly and many slave owners around the Southeast evading the Union army fled to Texas, forcing an estimated 150,000 enslaved Black people down with them. On June 19, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger issued the order that 'the people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.' Also known as Jubilee Day or Emancipation Day, Juneteenth is celebrated as a marker of liberation by many every year. This year, the Myrtle Beach area will feature concerts, expositions and more. Here are some of the biggest celebrations to check out. June 14, 16 and 17 Various times 405 Cleland Street, Georgetown, SC 29440 Georgetown County Library is debuting its inaugural Juneteenth Festival this year with line dancing, a writer's circle, food, crafts and more. At the Black Business Expo, visitors can explore Black-owned businesses, shop local vendors, attend workshops and enjoy live performances. The Artist Alleys will offer Gullah dollmaking and storytelling, with cakes and books available for purchase. June 14 2- 8 p.m. 1420 Carver St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 The city of Myrtle Beach's annual Juneteenth celebration will bring food and craft vendors, a kids' fun zone and live performances to Charlie's Place on Saturday. Visitors are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and enjoy the celebration of freedom, unity and community. In the event of inclement weather, festivities will move indoors to the Mary C. Canty Recreation Center at 971 Canal Street. June 18 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. 1931 Brookgreen Drive, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576 Brookgreen Gardens will host a Juneteenth Program to honor freedom, heritage and resilience through storytelling for all ages. Gullah storyteller Frank Murray will share oral traditions and insight into the lives, culture and wisdom of the Gullah Geechee people. The event is free for members and included in garden admission for non-members. All attendees must register, which can be completed online here. June 18 5 p.m. 1067 Petigru Drive, Pawleys Island, SC 29585 Pawleys Island Festival of Music and Art will celebrate Juneteenth with an evening of African American heritage, music, culture and history at The Quad. The free event will feature emcee and historian Lee Brockington on how blues shaped African American resilience and influenced American music. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawnchairs to enjoy the music of blues guitarist Mac Arnold and Plate Full O'Blues, as well as food and drinks for purchase. June 21 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. Atlantic Beach, SC The town of Atlantic Beach is partnering with the United Communities Assistance Network for an unforgettable Juneteenth festival. The celebration will feature Gullah Geechee cultural showcases, food, contests, live performances and even a flash mob. Before the event, bikers and drivers can meet in Shallotte, North Carolina, for a motorcycle freedom ride down the Gullah Geechee corridor.
