FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Council Communications
Atlanta City Hall
55 Trinity Ave. SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

Jan. 14, 2026

ATLANTA— Post 1 At-Large Atlanta City Councilmember Michael Julian Bond shares the following statement following the passing of civil rights pioneer Claudette Colvin:

“Today we honor the life and legacy of Claudette Colvin, a pioneering figure in the American civil rights movement whose courageous refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus in 1955 came nine months before the more widely known act of resistance by Rosa Parks. At just 15 years old, Claudette’s defiance against Montgomery’s segregation laws — standing her ground when ordered to move for a white passenger — sparked critical legal challenges to racial injustice and helped lay the legal and moral foundation for the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

“Though history long overlooked her in favor of Parks, who became a national symbol of the movement, Claudette’s contribution was indispensable. She was one of the plaintiffs in the landmark federal lawsuit that ultimately led the U.S. Supreme Court to declare segregation on public buses unconstitutional and brought a decisive legal end to Jim Crow transit practices. Claudette Colvin’s quiet strength and unwavering stand for justice continue to inspire us as we advance the ongoing work of civil rights and equality.”

About Atlanta City Council

The Atlanta City Council is the chief policy-making body for the City of Atlanta. It acts by considering and enacting all laws that govern the City. The Council also approves the operating and capital budgets for the City as recommended by the mayor, and it continually monitors revenues and expenditures for local government operations. The Atlanta City Council reviews and has final say on many land-use and zoning matters. Major economic development projects for the City also fall under the council’s jurisdiction.

The City Council is composed of 12 districts and three at-large posts. Council representatives include: Council President: Marci Collier Overstreet; District 1: Jason Winston; District 2: Kelsea Bond; District 3: Byron Amos; District 4: Jason S. Dozier; District 5: Liliana Bakhtiari; District 6: Alex Wan; District 7: Thomas Worthy; District 8: Mary Norwood; District 9: Dustin Hillis; District 10: Andrea L. Boone; District 11: Wayne Martin ; District 12: Antonio Lewis; Post 1 At-Large: Michael Julian Bond; Post 2 At-Large: Matt Westmoreland; and Post 3 At-Large: Eshé Collins.

To learn more about the Atlanta City Council, please visit http://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/. For the latest updates, follow the Atlanta City Council on Facebook, , X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

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Office of Council Communications Contacts:

Bill Doughty
wdoughty@atlantaga.gov
404-330-6056

Tiffanie Kelly
trkelly@atlantaga.gov
404-330-6014