Kasim Reed exclaims 'I'm black everyday' after bashing from ATL NAACP

Reed wants to be Atlanta's Mayor again
The local chapter of the NAACP accuses Reed of using his powers against the black community when he was mayor.
Candidate for Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed comes out swinging against criticism from the Atlanta NAACP. Photo credit Kasim Reed Campaign

Let the fireworks begin.

Former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed is running against 13 other candidates in the current race for mayor. Reed is fuming following comments from a civil rights organization known for not publically speaking for or against political candidates.

Rose: If Reed were white, we'd be picketing him

Richard Rose, president of the local NAACP chapter, tells Audacy Atlanta's Maria Boynton, that as Mayor of Atlanta, Reed used his powers too much against the black community. Rose also criticizes Reed for accepting the endorsement of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers (IBPO) Local 623, which according to Rose "never finds any wrongdoing or abuse" among its members. "If Reed were white" adds Rose, "we'd be picketing him."

Rose also accuses Reed of "going against things that Maynard Jackson and Shirley Franklin stood for." Jackson was Atlanta's first black mayor. Franklin was its first female.

Reed: I'm black everyday!

Reed tells Boynton that Rose "doesn't know what he's talking about." He accuses Rose of being under the influence of "dark money" and of being "ignorant" in his criticism of Reed's 'no property tax' stadium deal with Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank. "I'm black everyday!" exclaims Reed.

The election is on November 2. Early voting is already underway.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Kasim Reed Campaign