AADM SUCCESSFUL Policy changes through GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY
2025 Racial Equity Resolution
In April 2025, the Athens-Clarke County (ACC) Mayor and Commission passed a resolution drafted by the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM). The measure targets ongoing resource gaps for Black and minority communities by committing to:
Housing Security: Addressing discriminatory housing practices and prioritizing the development of affordable housing.
Economic Empowerment: Fostering job opportunities, equitable wages, and support for minority-owned businesses.
Youth Equity: Directing safety, mentorship, and leisure resources to neighborhoods experiencing the highest youth poverty rates.
Link to the resolution.
2022 Decriminalizing Marijuana
For years, the AADM and the Students For Drug Sense Policy advocated for the decriminalization of marijuana in Athens as part of our Freedom Fund’s campaign to address mass incarceration. The Many Athenians, particularly Black and brown Athenians, had been arrested and incarcerated with no bond for simple possession charges.
In 2022, along with several other community organizations, the AADM rallied at Athens’ City Hall in support of the passage of an ordinance that would decriminalize marijuana. Athens-Clarke County (ACC) decriminalized the possession of one ounce or less of marijuana, replacing jail time with a $35 fine. “This policy victory was spearheaded by grassroots efforts from the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM) and other local advocates to address severe racial disparities in drug arrests.”
But we are still advocating for progress. Click here to read more and get involved.
Click here to read more
2021 Civilian Oversight and transparency in policing
“The Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM) is a grassroots civil rights organization that spearheaded the advocacy and creation of the Athens-Clarke County Public Safety Civilian Oversight Board (PSCOB).”
. In response to incoming community complaints and a few key incidents regarding misuse of police force, ICE raids, and the over-policing and incarceration of Black and brown community members, the AADM the AADM teamed up with several other community organizations to advocate for civilian oversight to be established in Athens. In 2021, the AADM rallied close to 100 people from all over Athens at a ACC Mayor & Commission meeting. After hearing the outpour of support from community members, the ACC Mayor & Commission passed the Public Safety Civilian Oversight Board ordinance.
AADM continues to monitor and critique the board, advocating for community empowerment and police accountability. Click here for more info.
2020 Advocating for Diversion
Incarceration has far-reaching effects on an individual’s life. Setting aside the psychological impacts being locked up can have on a person, a criminal history can preclude people from employment, housing, and financial assistance, even if the offenses are non-violent or low-level. Following discussions and local actions hosted by the AADM, Athens-Clarke County Solicitor General C.R. Chisholm established a community committee in 2019 to advise the development of a pre-arrest diversion (PAD) program. AADM co-founder and Executive Director Mokah Jasmine Johnson was appointed as Chair of the committee and with her fellow members worked tirelessly to study similar programs and present recommendations.
During the committee’s final meeting in January 2020, the committee finalized their recommendations and sent them to the Mayor & Commission. In March of that year, the Athens-Clarke County Mayor & Commission approved the recommendations, creating the ACC Pre-Arrest Diversion program.
But it isn't enough. Click here to read more and get involved.
Click here to read more
2020 Removing Hate Symbols
Following the 2015 shooting in a Black church perpetrated by a white supremacist and the deadly 2017 “Unite the Right” white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, VA., the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM) pushed for the removal of Confederate symbols for discussion in Athens.
In June 2020, after years of advocacy around, the Athens Mayor & Commission approved the removal of the Confederate Soldiers Memorial.
But our work is far from over. Click here to read more and get involved.
2019 Local Cash Bail Ordinance
Cash bail is the money paid on the behalf of people who are incarcerated pre-trial must pay as collateral to get out of jail. The cash bail system disproportionately benefits wealthier people, as they are more able to allocate the money necessary to post bond. When money is the sole thing determining someone’s freedom, they are in effect “guilty until proven innocent”. Therefore, the AADM has made advocating for the elimination of cash bail a priority.
In 2019, the Mayor & Commission passed an amendment to the Freedom Act of Athens-Clarke County that effectively eliminated cash bail for low-level, non-violent offenses. The AADM was a significant part of organizing meetings and community discussions to increase awareness around alternative to the cash bail system.
But we still have cash bail.
2016 Preventing Discrimination in Athens
The Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM)'s first major win was the passage of an alcohol anti-discrimination ordinance in 2016. In 2021, the Athens Mayor & Commission went a step further and unanimously passed a more comprehensive Non-Discrimination Ordinance. These important civil rights ordinances would not have been possible without the community coming together with the AADM.
This lead to the development of the Inclusion Office now called the People of Belong Office.