Athens Reparations Action latest news and updates

October-November 2023

Hello Alys,

We've been super busy these past few months, and grateful to you for supporting the work. We're moving steadily toward our goal of $110,000 by June 2024, with a little more than $50,000 raised and another $15,000 in pledges. We've been meeting with small groups around town, and our monthly Reparations Conversations are drawing a greater number and diversity of folks.

Ready to donate? Visit our website today. And we'd love to see you at our next gathering.

Visit our Website

Coffee, Sweet Tea, and conversation

We've been invited to gatherings across Athens in the last few months by people interested in supporting reparations for Linnentown.

The residents of Henderson Avenue, adjacent to where Linnentown once was, shared their memories of Linnentown and listened as Hattie Thomas Whitehead spoke of the struggle for recognition and redress.

We had the chance to conspire with the good folks of St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church about how our faith journeys call us to work for justice, and what we can do together, right now, to atone for the wrongs of the past.

And at Oconee Street UMC, we hosted an intergenerational Sunday School gathering to view the Linnentown documentary and reaffirm our commitment to reparations.

Are you part of a small group or faith community that would be open to a visit from us? Reach out today!

ARA on PBS Frontline

If you came to the last Reparations Conversation or naming ceremony for Linnentown Lane, you definitely noticed the cameras. PBS Frontline is making a documentary about Linnentown, and ARA will feature as part of that story. It's expected to air in January or February, so watch this space for details and an invitation to a community watch party.

A word from our donors

We have long felt connected to Linnentown, and the sad losses suffered there. Linnentown was so close to our beloved neighborhood, and very much the same size. We are all grateful for what we have here on Henderson, and so sad for all that Linnentown lost.

Peggy Galis (on behalf of the residents of Henderson Avenue)

Next Reparations Conversations - November 15

Join our next Reparations Conversations gathering Nov. 15 at Athentic Brewing Company, 7-9pm.

We'll be welcoming Commissioner Russell Edwards (District 7) to talk about the gratuities clause in the Georgia Constitution that prohibits the payment of direct reparations.

Come see us, and bring a friend!

Get your ARA Swag!

Donate to ARA and get one of these adorable t-shirts! No donation is too large! All the proceeds go toward Linnentown first descendants. Get yours at one of our events, send a text to 202-262-2833 or email us at athensreparationsaction@gmail.com

Learn more about Linnentown!

We continue to be privileged to visit first descendants in their homes, share meals with them, learn more about Linnentown and the experience of displacement under Urban Renewal, listen to their advice, and together refine our mission and vision. We center these relationships in all that we do.

Watch the Linnentown Documentary

Read More about Linnentown

Get involved with Reparations for Linnentown!

We need volunteers to help with:

- Organizing Linnentown Documentary screenings around town. Do you have a group at your place of worship, school, business, or other organization that would be interested? Reach out and we'll help you make it happen.

- Speaking to groups about the moral imperative to repair harm through reparations. Do you have a faith community that aligns with our vision? Are you part of a neighborhood, student or business group that might be interested in taking action together? We'd love to meet y'all and be in conversation.

- Mobilizing pledges and donations. Can you talk to 5-10 friends or colleagues who might be able to donate now, or pledge to donate by June 2024?

Athens Reparations Action

243 Sunset Drive

Athens GA 30606

(202) 262 2833

athensreparationsaction@gmail.com

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