Some Covington residents have plans to begin boycotting businesses on Tuesdays and Fridays, said Jean Johnson.
Standing before the board of mayor and aldermen Tuesday night, she revealed this was the Plan B she announced would be forthcoming.
In January, Johnson spoke on behalf of citizens in District 1 who believe mayor Justin Hanson acted unfairly by not appointing alderwoman Minnie Bommer the chairperson of any of the city’s committees.
“We’re not asking for much, namely a chairperson position for each of our representatives, secondly an African-American museum,” she said. “We feel like we’re not being treated fairly nor with respect. And speaking of respect, Mayor Hanson, we would not have had to appear before you or the board if you had not publicly disrespected our aldermen, alderwoman Bommer and alderman Edwards, and the citizens of District 1.”
Johnson said because Hanson did not meet with Bommer as he said he would, citizens would not be spending any money in the city on those two days of the week, effective immediately.
“We, the citizens of Covington’s District 1, have decided to withhold our money. We’re not getting what we’re asking for, so we will not contribute to a cause that is not being beneficial to us as people of Covington and we will do this as long as is necessary.”
Her statement was met with “amens” from two people in attendance.
“We know that the City of Covington needs our tax dollars to continue to thrive, am I correct? And because of that, we’re refusing to do so.”
Additionally, Johnson told the board that the tour group that usually makes it way through Covington during Black History Month each year for the past three years has chosen not to stop in the city this year.
“They refuse to spend their money in the City of Covington because of the unfairness of some of the citizens in our city. I’m quite sure that’s understandable.”
Johnson also wanted to make sure the mayor knew the efforts weren’t intended as personal attacks.
“We’re not here to attack you, you know I kind of like you, we’re Facebook friends,” she said. “We’re just here for answers. We don’t plan to continue to come to these meetings over and over again, month after month, week after week, but some things have got to change here.”
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