Chamblee Mayor Brian K. Mock wasted no time in issuing a scathing attack on immigrant round-ups that have begun nationwide, including his DeKalb County city.
“Unfortunately, I have learned of targeted ICE arrests made this evening in the City of Chamblee along our Buford Highway Corridor,” Mock said in a statement he issued Sunday night. “To be clear, city government was not made aware prior, nor did city police take part in any way. I have no other information other than targeted arrests made and lots of folks scared half to death.”
Mock noted that Chamblee is one of the most diverse cities in the state “made up of good, hardworking people from all walks of life. Our cultural differences (are) what makes our city so very special.”
Regarding people without proper documentation, Mock said he “and this city” have always followed a “live and let live approach.” He said a person’s behavior in Chamblee far more important than how they got here.
“And before anyone chimes in, no, we aren’t talking about drug smugglers, rapist, murderers and gang members. No community wants or supports criminals in their city. The fact is, most of our undocumented population in Chamblee are hardworking, tax paying citizens. I’m not going to debate this with anyone as I know it to be fact. They work, they pay taxes, their kids go to school with your kids, they play on the same soccer teams, they go to church and volunteer in the community.”
Mock went on to say that as mayor, he was elected to serve all of my community, “whether you voted for me or not…race, color, age, sexual identity, nationality, none of this matters a damn to me. If you live in Chamblee, you are my constituent, and I will do everything I can as a human being to help you through these sad and difficult times.
“Stay prepared, stay safe, try to remain calm.”
As 97.5 Glory FM posted earlier today, federal authorities, acting on President Trump’s orders, arrested scores of immigrants nationwide Sunday, including those in Chamblee and in several other metro Atlanta cities and towns.