Keon Hardiman

But I recognize gang activity.

I know what it looks like to be threatened by somebody in the gang.

I know how a gang acts in unison.

And so to me, earlier today, when I saw some of the activity that was going on in front of these days, I recognized gang activity.

What I'm seeing is an organization that uses our funding to do good in the community, supposedly.

An organization that started with individuals who were accused of robbery, extortion, giving plots of land, no development, and they are threatening us, especially the District 3 Commissioner, if we don't give them more.

How should we handle that?

I don't feel comfortable paying individuals who will continue to threaten me and my family.

I would request an immediate suspension of any payments being made to Nana and also to the Circle of Brotherhood for the actions that they have displayed, not only here today, but in the past, where in fact their executive director has said that he has people that can come see me.

It's on the record.

And so I won't be distorted on this day.

I won't be intimidated on this day.

One thing I will not do is cower to any thug in a polo shirt that proclaims that he loves black people in our community.

And by doing good from time to time, we'll take advantage of opportunities to do bad for people who are giving back to this community.

What we can't allow is someone who feels that they're too big enough to fail, that they're so big that they can threaten any one of you and force you all to do what they want you to do.

This is terrorism, if you will.

That's what these sorts of actions are like.

Yeah, that whole DEI initiative, the anti-DEI initiative that Trump was trying to pull off.