Decision to move old graveyard may be subject to inquiry

Civil rights groups are calling for a grand jury to investigate the Clayton County Commission’s vote to allow 311 historic African-American graves to be relocated.

Descendants of those buried, along with the Georgia NAACP and representatives from the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, called the commission’s decision racist and demanded an investigation.

On Tuesday, descendants told the county commission they have already sent a letter to District Attorney Tracy Graham-Lawson, requesting the grand jury probe.

Graham-Lawson, who took office last week, said she has not received the letter nor heard from anyone about such an investigation.

The commission did not publicly respond to the investigation request Tuesday night.

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

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’s approval came after a public hearing, a review by an architect and a 30-day waiting period. The descendants and civil rights groups did not express objection until after that 30-day window, County Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell said Tuesday.

Betty Bowden, whose grandfather is buried in the cemetery, has accused commissioners of being “bought out.” John Stephens, the company’s owner, has contributed money to each of the five commissioners’ campaigns.

“We are unpleased with your decision. We have filed an appeal,” Bowden told the commission Tuesday. “We want the pleasure to put our brothers where we want them moved, not where someone else wants them moved.”

Sharpton was slated to appear at Tuesday’s meeting, but did not show up. He sent several representatives, who said he and others would march in protest in Clayton during Black History Month.

“It’s unfortunate we have to march in a county where we have the majority,” Georgia NAACP President Edward DuBose told the commission.