Georgia officials investigate racist text to Atlanta mayor

Georgia officials are investigating a racist text received by Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.

Attorney General Chris Carr directed his office’s prosecution division to investigate who sent text, spokeswoman Katie Byrd said Friday.

Bottoms on Wednesday tweeted that she got a text to her personal cellphone dressing her by a racial slur and telling her “Just shut up and RE-OPEN ATLANTA.” Bottoms, an African American Democrat, has been an outspoken critic of Republican Gov. Brian Kemp’s decision to allow some businesses to resume operations after he earlier shut m by executive order to prevent spre of COVID-19.

“With my daughter looking over my shoulder, I received this mess on my phone. I pray for you,” Bottoms tweeted, going on to paraphrase a quote from Martin Lur King. Jr. that thing is more dangerous than “conscientious stupidity or sincere igrance.”

Carr launched inquiry after 15 Democratic state lawmakers who represent Atlanta asked him to. Democrats argue a crime may have been committed in part because text purported to originate from a state email dress — ReOpen@Georgia.gov. y said eir a state employee sent it, or more likely, someone illegally spoofed a state email dress.

“We expect your office is equally concerned, and we request that you immediately begin an investigation to determine individuals or individuals behind this text mess so y can be held responsible,” lawmakers wrote. “Your office should be able to obtain necessary subpoenas to unmask individuals responsible for this.”

lawmakers said Bottoms would cooperate with investigation and aid Carr in seeking subpoenas to “unmask individuals responsible for this.”

Bottoms told Atlanta City Council members on Thursday during a conference call that her 12-year-old son h also received text, which she described as “more concerning to me than anything.” She said she h spoken to former Atlanta mayor and United Nations ambassor Andrew Young, “and he just reminded me that white supremacy is a sickness.”

Bottoms said that “cowards don’t run for office.”

“I will continue to use my voice to speak on behalf of our community,” she said.

Bottoms has been a prominent supporter of former Vice President Joe Biden’s presidential bid, with some people mentioning her as a possible vice presidential pick.

Democratic State Sen. Jen Jordan, one of signers of letter, tweeted that she was “grateful” for Carr’s investigation.

“It sends mess that this sort of racism and hate won’t be tolerated,” she wrote.

House Speaker David Ralston, a Blue Ridge Republican also sent a statement hailing Carr’s move, saying “anyone who would attempt to masquere as acting on behalf of state government deserves to be met with full force of law.”

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