Athens Mayor Warns Against ‘Conflating Immigration and Crime’ After Murder of Laken Riley
Athens, Georgia mayor Kelly Girtz is warning against people “conflating” the issue of crime with immigration. During a press conference on the murder of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley on the University of…
Athens, Georgia mayor Kelly Girtz is warning against people “conflating” the issue of crime with Immigration.
During a press conference on the murder of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley on the University of Georgia campus, Girtz said, “In the main, I caution against conflating Immigration and crime.”
“The data demonstrates that the two are not connected,” he added.
Girtz then noted the past four presidents have failed to secure a long time solution to the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Watch the video below:
His comment comes after the murder of Riley.
Riley was jogging along dirt trails in Athens when she was allegedly killed by 26-year-old Jose Ibarra, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela.
Her murder comes amid a debate over the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border.
And Girtz was heckled with calls to resign as he tried to shoot down the claim Athens is a sanctuary city.
“You’re a liar!” one man shouted. “You’re the one who is guilty and got blood on your hands for this murder, sir!”
Others called for him to resign.