Atlanta's largest park renamed for former Mayor Shirley Franklin
The City of Atlanta is honoring the city's first woman mayor by renaming a park and busy downtown road after her.
On Monday, the Atlanta City Council voted unanimously to rename Central Avenue, where Atlanta City Hall sits, and Westside Reservoir Park after former Mayor Shirley Franklin.
Central Avenue will now be known as Shirley Clarke Franklin Boulevard and Westside Reservoir Park will be renamed Shirley Clarke Franklin Park.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Franklin served two terms as Atlanta's mayor from 2002 to 2010 and was the first Black woman to serve as mayor of a major city in the modern South.
The city council says her time in office is marked by her contributions to the Atlanta BeltLine, improvements to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and development of city parks, affordable housing and more.
'Renaming Central Avenue and Westside Reservoir Park after former Mayor Shirley Franklin is a testament to her enduring legacy and profound impact on Atlanta. As someone who witnessed her leadership firsthand, I can attest to her firmness, fairness, and boldness in tackling difficult issues. Mayor Franklin's contributions to Atlanta are immeasurable,' said Councilwoman Andrea Boone.
TRENDING STORIES:
18-year-old charged with murder in quadruple killing at northwest Georgia park
Ex-prosecutor's trial ends as judge throws out felony indictment in Ahmaud Arbery death case
Mother demands answers over death of son found in man's car during traffic stop
Westside Reservoir Park, which opened in 2021, is the largest park in the City of Atlanta at 280 acres. It's located on the site of the former Bellwood Quarry, which is in the area of Marietta Boulevard and Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway.
The park also provides 2.4 billion gallons of emergency drinking water for Atlanta's residents.
It's unclear when the name changes will officially go into effect.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
DC police officer convicted for Proud Boys leaks sentenced to more than year in prison
A District of Columbia police lieutenant convicted of tipping off Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio that he was being investigated, and who later lied about their communication, was sentenced Friday to 18 months in prison. Former Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Lt. Shane Lamond was found guilty last year on one count of obstructing justice and three counts of making false statements to federal law enforcement officials. Federal prosecutors accused him of warning Tarrio, then national chairman of the right-wing extremist group, that D.C. law enforcement had an arrest warrant for him related to the destruction of a Black Lives Matter banner. They also said he lied to law enforcement when pressed on the nature of his relationship with Tarrio, suggesting it was 'one-sided.' Lamond told U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson on Friday that he 'respectfully disagrees' with her finding of guilt but, 'in retrospect,' agrees he made several errors throughout his communications with Tarrio. He said that he believed that building rapport with Tarrio was part of doing his job but described his efforts as 'sloppy,' lamenting that his conviction had now upended his career and life. 'Frankly, I'm broken at this point,' the former law enforcement officer added. Jackson said the idea Lamond could have done better when communicating with the Proud Boys leader was 'quite the understatement.' His conduct was not consistent with police practices 'unless you twist them until they're unrecognizable,' she said. Prosecutors had asked for a sentence of four years in prison. The government's sentencing memorandum was submitted under Ed Martin, who was President Trump's first pick for U.S. Attorney in D.C. but ultimately moved into another Justice Department post when his Senate confirmation seemed unlikely. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Ross called Lamond a 'trusted leader' who used his reputation to 'insert himself' into the investigation of Tarrio. 'MPD was able to bring Tarrio to justice not because of the defendant but in spite of the defendant,' she said. At trial, prosecutors said Lamond's communications with Tarrio grew more secretive and frequent as pressure to arrest him mounted in 2020. Both Lamond and Tarrio took the stand at the week-long bench trial. Lamond said he never passed sensitive police information along to Tarrio. Tarrio as a witness in Lamond's defense said he never received any confidential information from the lieutenant. Lamond attorney Mark Schamel told Jackson they 'fundamentally disagree' on the facts of the case and urged her to give him a sentence without incarceration, instead asking for probation and suggesting that the police officer's ruined career and reputation in the media is punishment enough. 'Shane Lamond has been destroyed,' he said. Schamel also indicated that a pardon from Trump was not likely. Jackson rejected the notion that the potential for future clemency could sway her decision. The judge called the government's 48-month sentencing request 'excessive' but said that probation would 'not suffice.' She acknowledged that, until the incident regarding Tarrio, Lamond performed his job with 'honor.' Letters from his family painted a picture of a dedicated father, partner and son. However, that cuts both ways, Jackson said, and the then-officer 'should have known better than this.' 'You repeatedly dishonored the badge,' the judge added. Tarrio was arrested over the incident on Jan. 4, 2021, and ordered out of the nation's capital. He wasn't in Washington two days later, when a mob of Trump's supporters — including dozens of Proud Boys — stormed the Capitol in aim of stopping the certification of the 2020 presidential election. The Proud Boys leader was sentenced to 22 years in prison after being convicted of seditious conspiracy but was pardoned by Trump when he returned to the White House. Tarrio was in the courtroom Friday, alongside Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes and Ivan Raiklin, a Trump supporter who has deemed himself 'Secretary of Retribution.' Outside the courthouse, the former Proud Boys leader said Lamond is 'worthy' of a pardon from Trump. Rhodes, who was sentenced to an 18-year prison term for sedition that was commuted to time-served by Trump, called Lamond a 'J6er' for how he has been treated over the incident, a term of endearment for those who participated in the Capitol riot. 'This has to be corrected,' Tarrio said. Updated at 1:10 p.m. EDT. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Dr. Michael Lomax, Present and CEO of UNCF Issues Statement on Recent Antisemitic Attacks
'We are resolute in our commitment to build a world where dignity and humanity prevail, knowing that when we fail to speak for others, we risk a future where no one is left to speak for us' WASHINGTON, DC, June 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Dr. Michael L. Lomax, President and CEO of UNCF issued the following statement condemning the recent acts of anti-Semitic violence and reaffirming UNCF's unwavering commitment to standing against hatred in all its forms. 'In recent days, two acts of violence have struck at the heart of the Jewish community, stark reminders that hatred remains alive among us. In Washington, DC, a Jewish American woman and her Israeli fiancé were horrifically murdered as they left a reception at the Jewish Museum. In Boulder, Colorado, Molotov cocktails were thrown during a peaceful protest calling for the release of hostages held in Gaza. The intent of both violent incidents was clear: to sow fear, to spark terror, and to remind us that hatred, left unchecked, smolders and burns. As Black Americans, this flame is painfully familiar. We have seen it before, in the torches carried through darkened streets, in the crosses set ablaze on front lawns, and in the midnight knocks that tore fathers, mothers, and children from their homes. It is a hatred we know well, clothed in different garb but fueled by the same malevolent fire. The violence inflicted on Jewish Americans today echoes the terror that gripped Black communities during the Jim Crow era. Out of those long nights of fear, bonds were forged in the crucible of shared struggle. The relationship between the Black and Jewish communities was built on common purpose. It was Jewish brothers and sisters who marched with us in Selma, who stood with us in Birmingham, who bled beside us for civil rights. It was their pens that helped write the anthems of our movement and their moral clarity that strengthened our resolve. Today, as we confront this resurgent wave of anti-Semitism, we are reminded that the hatred that targets one of us threatens all of us. The same bigotry that demonizes the Jewish people fuels anti-Black racism, anti-LGBTQ animus, and every form of dehumanization that corrodes the soul of our nation. History teaches us that silence in the face of hatred is complicity. Our shared history teaches us that progress has always come when we stand together and raise our voices. At UNCF, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to stand against all forms of hatred. We are proud of the bridges built between the Black and Jewish communities, partnerships rooted in resilience and a common dream of freedom. We stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters, not as newly minted allies, but as partners bound by a shared legacy of resilience and a shared dream of liberation. As we raise our voices against the unresolved hatreds that linger from our past, we stand arm in arm, heart to heart, not just as witnesses to injustice but as architects of a future rooted in justice and love. We are resolute in our commitment to build a world where dignity and humanity prevail, knowing that when we fail to speak for others, we risk a future where no one is left to speak for us.' ### About UNCFUNCF is one of the nation's largest and most effective supporters of higher education and serves as a leading advocate for college-bound students. Since its founding in 1944, UNCF has raised more than $6 billion to support students' access to higher education, provide scholarships and strengthen historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Each year, UNCF supports more than 50,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country including 37 UNCF-member HBCUs. Through its efforts, UNCF has helped generations of students to get to and through college. We believe a college education plays a vital role in fortifying the pipeline of leaders and professionals who contribute to the advancement of our society. Our logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and our widely recognized trademark is, 'A mind is a terrible thing to waste.'® Learn more at or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Instagram. CONTACT: Roy Betts UNCF 240.703.3384
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Scott Jennings Scorched For Calling Questions About Historic Racist Incidents A 'Gotcha'
Conservative CNN pundit Scott Jennings was slammed online after he recently suggested that Education Secretary Linda McMahon was asked a 'gotcha' question about one of the worst instances of racial violence in American history during a congressional hearing. During a Wednesday segment of CNN's 'News Night with Abby Phillip,' panelists discussed the hearing earlier that day in which McMahon was asked questions about the Trump administration's efforts to ban what it considers to be 'illegal DEI practices' at K-12 public schools. In January, Trump ordered U.S. schools to stop teaching what he views as 'critical race theory.' And in April, the Trump administration ordered K-12 public schools to certify that they are ending diversity, equity and inclusion practices as a condition for receiving federal money. (Federal judges have since paused the administration's directives to withhold federal funds in three separate rulings.) At one point in Wednesday's hearing, Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.) asked McMahon whether lessons on the Tulsa Race Massacre would be considered 'illegal DEI.' McMahon responded: 'I'd have to get back to you on that.' Lee pressed further, asking McMahon if she knew what the Tulsa Race Massacre was. McMahon, a former pro wrestling executive with a slim record in education policy, refused to give a direct answer. 'I'd like to look into it more and get back to you on it,' McMahon said. The Tulsa Race Massacre is considered to be among the worst racial terror attacks in U.S. history. In 1921, a white mob violently rampaged through the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma, an area of Black-owned businesses known as Black Wall Street, and burned down and destroyed much of the area, including homes and businesses. It's been estimated that the white armed rioters killed as many as 300 Black residents. McMahon had also evaded Lee's questions surrounding her familiarity with civil rights trailblazer Ruby Bridges, who at 6 years old faced hateful white protesters when she became the first Black student to attend a racially segregated school in Louisiana. Host Abby Phillip said on 'NewsNight' that McMahon's inability to answer questions about U.S. history made her seem unprepared or even 'unqualified' for her position leading the Education Department. But Jennings brushed off the exchange, saying that he only cares about what McMahon is doing to 'close the Department of Education.' 'I don't care how many books she's read, I don't care what answers to gotcha questions she had,' he said. People on X, formerly Twitter, slammed theconservative pundit for calling Lee's questions 'gotcha questions.' 'If you think things like Ruby Bridges and the Tulsa Massacre are 'gotcha questions,' then that is precisely the evidence we need that these things need to be taught in school,' one X user wrote. Jennings' stance exposes 'a dangerous and far too common belief that confronting and acknowledging America's racist past is somehow separate from American history,' said Portia Allen-Kyle, a civil rights attorney and interim executive director at the racial justice organization Color Of Change. 'Black history is American history, and the questions about Ruby Bridges and the Tulsa Race Massacre aren't niche events that no one knows; these are significant political events that changed the trajectory of our country and the course of history,' she said. 'Labeling historic events like the Tulsa Race Massacre or Ruby Bridges' historic integration as 'gotcha questions' is part of a broader neo-segregationist agenda that treats the lived experience of Black people as political provocation.' 'Before they graduated to banning diversity, equity and inclusion, they were banning Black history and AP African American Studies,' Allen-Kyle said. McMahon evading the question was 'intentional' and 'dangerous,' she said, adding: 'This administration is making clear that its vision of America doesn't include an honest account of Black power, resilience or resistance. Calling our history 'illegal DEI' is a smokescreen to justify whitewashing the past.' Allen-Kyle said that McMahon's refusal to directly respond to Lee's questions either showed a lack of honesty or a 'disqualifying level of ignorance' for her job. 'Neither is acceptable from the person in charge of national education policy,' she said. Shaun Harper, a professor of education, business and public policy at the University of Southern California, called out policymakers for being 'largely unfamiliar with the range of ways that Black people have been and continue to be terrorized in America' and said they 'create and enact perceivably colorblind policies that repeatedly fail to respond to that terrorism and the generational trauma and racial disparities that accompany it.' 'A congressional query about a significant catastrophic moment in American history is not a 'gotcha question' for a White House Cabinet member,' Harper said, later adding: 'McMahon seems to believe it is OK for other Americans to be as racially illiterate as she is. It is not OK because it leads to harmful, racially unresponsive policymaking.' Harper, co-author of 2024 book 'The Big Lie About Race in America's Schools (Race and Education),' emphasized that students in the U.S. often learn about certain historical events, such as the Boston Tea Party and the American Revolution — 'moments that mostly white textbook makers, standardized test makers and educators deem worthy of inclusion in the curriculum,' he said. 'When they sanitize slavery and altogether leave out tragedies like the Tulsa Race Massacre, miseducated students graduate from schools incapable of answering questions about significant moments in our nation's history that pertain to Black Americans,' he said. Allen-Kyle warned that schools censoring Black history — which is American history — will create 'a society incapable of reckoning with its past and unprepared to build a just future.' 'History isn't just what happened — it's often a guiding light to what we're witnessing in the present and how we can use those learnings to build a future that doesn't repeat the same mistakes,' she later continued, before adding: 'Teaching about Tulsa and Ruby Bridges helps students understand the full story of America: the harm caused, the courage shown, the systems still in need of change.' 'Fighting for truthful education is fighting for a future where every child sees their history, their dignity, and their possibility reflected in the classroom,' she said. Education Secretary Linda McMahon Won't Say If She Knows What The Tulsa Race Massacre Is Tulsa's New Black Mayor Proposes $100M Trust To 'Repair' Impact Of 1921 Race Massacre We Work In DEI. Trump's Wild Anti-Diversity Claims Are Spreading Popular Lies.
