Alderwoman Kesha Gibson-Carter and Alderman Kurtis Purtee renew their spat during public hearing over removing John Calhoun's name from his namesake downtown square
Savannah Morning News
Savannah Alderwoman Kesha Gibson-Carter and Alderman Kurtis Purtee brought their feud into the City Hall council chambers Thursday.
The two traded verbal insults and literally pointed fingers at each other during the council meeting, continuing a long-simmering conflict that exploded following a Sept. 8 council meeting, when Purtee called Gibson-Carter, a Black woman, a "ghetto b****" in response to her accusing him of being a "child predator and a pedophile" in the hallway outside of council chambers.
Purtee is a white, openly gay man
Thursday's outbursts led Mayor Van Johnson to use his gavel to return the meeting to order — all that on top of Thursday's agenda, which was already set to be a high-tension affair.
On the agenda was a public hearing on the removal of John Calhoun's from his namesake downtown square. Interest in the matter packed the council chambers with those looking to voice their support or opposition for the measure — a topic charged by similar conversations around the country about reckoning with the nation's past with slavery.
Once the public had a chance to voice their opinion on the proposed removal of Calhoun's name, council members took turns sharing their own thoughts on the matter. All supported moving forward with a vote on the Calhoun Square issue in November.
However, Gibson-Carter also took the opportunity to address the Sept. 8 confrontation with Purtee.
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'Ghetto b*****'? 'Pedophile'? Heated exchange between Savannah alderpersons caught on video
Calhoun Square renaming:Savannah council takes public comments on Calhoun Square name removal, vote coming in November
Gibson-Carter: 'It went unchecked'
When it was Gibson-Carter's turn to speak, she too indicated her support for a council vote on Calhoun. And she also quoted Shakespeare.
"What's in a name? A rose by any other name smells just as sweet," Gibson-Carter said. "This is a line offered by William Shakespeare in 'Romeo and Juliet.' He offered that line to denote that the naming of things is irrelevant. I, on this day, as a professional, educated, talented, smart, loving, caring, beautiful Black woman, who was called a Black ghetto b expletive by a sitting member of this council, a white man, and it went unchecked.
"Mr. William Shakespeare, the naming of things and the naming of people and labels mean a lot, and on this day, I am privileged to say that I am so proud of you, my dear queen mother, Patt Gunn, and all of the other advocates who have been serving alongside you. Thank you."
During her statement, Gibson-Carter paused as members of the audience applauded for about 30 seconds. She went on to mention advocates of the Weeping Time coalition and said "this is the same council who voted to desecrate what we know to be the Weeping Time land. I don't want you to give up either.
"I want to say to this council, that this woman who sits here at this post will never shut up, will never give up and never let up until we take a unified stand and represent, as the people of Savannah have sent us to do so," Gibson-Carter said. "And for those of you who are in opposition to this effort, God bless you, God keep you and change your heart and your minds as we go forth."
More on Calhoun Square:Savannah Council takes up Calhoun Square renaming. For activists, the fight dates back years
Purtee: 'I know what it's like to feel oppressed'
When it was Purtee's turn to speak, he paused for a few seconds before firing back at Carter. Purtee accused Gibson-Carter of calling him a "pedophile" in the past, and invoked that, and a few other accusations in his statement.
"One, I am glad that we are having this conversation today. I think there's a lot to be learned from history, and I think the conversation needs to continue. But I will also say I know what it's like to feel oppressed. I even had a sitting member of city council call me a child pedophile, a f*****."
Purtee was interrupted by Gibson-Carter.
"You are a liar," Gibson-Carter said as Mayor Johnson tried to intervene.
Speaking over them both, Purtee continued.
"A child pedophile, a predator and a f*****. I, even though I may have said ghetto b, which I did apologize for, I do not like to be called a child predator, a f***** or a child pedophile."
Throughout Purtee's time, Gibson-Carter denied allegations, standing up at her podium and pointing at Purtee. Johnson tried to keep the order, banging his gavel. Calls to adjourn the meeting came over the microphone feed, but the meeting did not end. People began walking out as the three argued.
Eventually, Gibson-Carter sat down, and Johnson urged Purtee to continue.
"Again, thank you for everybody and your comments, this is a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. Doing what is right is not always about doing what is easy. Anybody that knows me knows where I stand on this issue. I will stand with my constituents always, as they have asked me to," Purtee concluded.
Council fighting aside, the meeting was marked by consideration of the Calhoun Square name removal. Previously, an activist group calling itself the Center for Jubilee, Reconciliation and Healing and its founders, Patt Gunn and Rosalyn Rouse, have been the primary flagbearers for the issue.
Johnson said he expects to get a council vote on stripping the name off the square "hopefully in the first meeting in November," which will be Nov. 10.
Will Peebles is the City Council and County Commission reporter for Savannah Morning News, covering local Savannah and Chatham County decisions. He can be reached at wpeebles@savannahnow.com or on Twitter @willpeeblesSMN
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