September 16, 2025: From Mexico to Yamacraw

Voices of Reason and Resistance hosts Barbara and Opollo gave a shout out to Mexico on its dia de la independencia.  On 9/16/1810, Father Hidalgo issued a call to arms, the el Grito de Independencia (the independence cry).  In 1821, Mexico defeated the Spanish.  Each year, el grito is read in Mexico City by the president and by governors in the state capitals, followed by incredible fireworks.  Barbara talked about her time in Mexico with Albert, including volunteering at a migrant shelter and hearing the stories of those fleeing violence and corporate takeover of their countries by the USA.  We also discussed migration and Opollo provided important factual information about the recent ICE raid at the Hyundai battery plant in Ellabell. 

In the second hour, we were joined by Meagan English to discuss the status of Yamacraw Village, an historic affordable housing community on the bluff where the first Georgia settlement stood.  Yamacraw is being recommended for demolition by the Housing Authority of Savannah due to its deteriorated condition after many years of neglect and deferred maintenance.  The Yamacraw Resident Council is asking that at least 100 units of affordable housing be rebuilt on the site and existing tenants get assistance with temporary relocation and right of return once the new affordable housing units are constructed.   

The Resident Council is asking for at least 1,00 community voices (growing to thousands of voices) to support their requests and support them at these upcoming events:  

• Sunday, September 21 One for the Road music event, 2-4 pm at 41st and Whitaker Streets
• Saturday, September 27, 10-2, for a baked goods and barbecue sale in the courtyard to raise funds for their annual Halloween event 
• Thursday, September 25, 5:15 Savannah Housing Authority open meeting at the Union Mission on Fahm Street to discuss the plans for Yamacraw Village and take comments from the public.