DECATUR, Ala. — More than a dozen people gathered in Decatur at Rhodes Ferry Park Saturday to protest housing discrimination.
This, after reports that a federal review determined the Decatur Housing Authority segregated Black and White people.
Local activists say the Decatur Housing Authority placed a majority of white people at the riverfront Jordan Neill Apartments, however they wait-listed Black people and also placed them in housing projects.
"Within the last couple of weeks, they've came to me and told me, that they think they have been discriminated against. And some had did this two and three years ago and had never heard back from them people," says Morgan County NAACP President, Rodney Gordon.
Organizations including 'Faith In Action Alabama' and the 'Alabama Rally Against Injustice' teamed up to take a stand against discrimination.
"So our efforts in supporting the local people of Decatur comes as an issue that we're seeing across the state of Alabama," says Faith In Action Alabama Community Organizer, Onoyemi Williams.
Cases of discrimination have crossed state lines also. Recently, a Florida interracial couple in Jacksonville say their home jumped in appraised value by 40% after they removed all traces of black culture from the home.
"We're asking the people of Decatur to stand up. We're asking that those who are in the official capacities to open their doors and allow the community in to review the systems that are currently being used to make decisions on the behalf of the people of this community," says Williams.
Gordon says he hopes this demonstration will bring attention to local leaders.
"We're hoping that they take heed to the warning, and we'll get together. Get on common ground. Come up with a solution, and let's make it happen," added Gordon.
Gordon says he plans on meeting with the manager of the Jordan Neill Apartments development as soon as possible.
