A rally will be held Thursday evening in support of embattled 1st District Metro Councilwoman Judy Green.It's organized by the newly-formed Concerned Citizens of District One. The group says Green is being treated unfairly by the Metro Council, which will soon consider whether to remove her for violating the city’s ethics code. Green's supporters acknowledge that the councilwoman made mistakes in her handling of grant money, but say it doesn’t rise to the level of removal.Group member Michael Jones (pictured below) says the process has been a distraction from pressing issues in the district, like jobs and redistricting. "But if they do terminate her, same they did in Chicago, she’s a good councilperson, we’re going to re-elect her, we’ll put her back on the ballot because of all the good things she’s done in this community," he said.During a press conference Tuesday, some group members called the charges racially motivated. Green is among six African-Americans on the council, one of whom, Barbara Shanklin, co-signed the petition that began the expulsion case. The others will be involved in deciding Green’s fate. The 1st District rally will be held Thursday evening at 7:00 at the Louis Coleman Community Center on Garland Avenue.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.