NAACP wants Clayton to change mind on moving graves

The NAACP asked the Clayton County Commission on Tuesday to overturn a decision to relocate a historic African-American cemetery.

The commission voted Dec. 2 to allow a College Park company to dig up 311 graves and rebury them in a Riverdale cemetery.

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JESSICA MCGOWAN / jmcgowan@ajc.com

Betty Bowden’s grandfather is buried in the Union Bethel AME Church Cemetery.

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The Union Bethel AME Church Cemetery, which dates to the 1800s, sits in the shadows of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport’s fifth runway, lying between Stephens MDS’ landfill and a quarry. The cemetery is inaccessible and had not been visited for years before news of the possible move was announced, Stephens MDS officials said.

The commission has 30 days to overturn its decision. The commission took no action Tuesday night. Residents can also appeal to Clayton County Superior Court.

Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell said Stephens MDS followed all of the state and county regulations required to move the cemetery. Bell said he anticipates the company will be issued a permit at the end of the month.

Betty Bowden, whose grandfather is buried in the cemetery, said several of the graves have already been moved.

“We want it to remains as a historical site,” Bowden, 72, said Tuesday. “We are really hurt to see how they moved our people. We want enough respect to help some of them.”

Officials with Stephens MDS said no graves have been moved. However, only eight of the 311 headstones stand because of neglect and vandalism, according to archaeologist Jeff Gardner, who was hired by Stephens.

Bowden accused commissioners of being “bought out.” John Stephens, the company’s owner, has contributed money to each of the five commissioners’ campaigns.

Bell said, “If we didn’t vote on things people gave us money for, we would never vote on anything.” He also said the family has neglected the cemetery for decades, which was considered by commissioners during the vote.

The NAACP and community group Operation LEAD said the commissioners have a conflict of interest and should not have voted on the cemetery.

“Some of these developers will put cement over their mama,” said John Evans, president of Operation LEAD, an anti-discrimination group. “They gave money to the commission and that makes it smell bad. … We need to stop this corruption.”