Killer Mike and 2 Chainz Speak Before Atlanta City Council

Killer Mike and 2 Chainz spoke before the Atlanta City Council to urge its members to oppose a proposed rule that they claimed would kill local businesses owned by people of color. As a result, the legislation intends to give the city the power to close any business deemed a “nuisance” after two allegations of violent crime or conduct in a two-year period. Naturally, the ordinance proponents say that the ordinance will also deal with companies who allegedly use loopholes in the past to avoid closures.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Killer Mike (@killermike)

IN CITY COUNCIL’S CHAMBERS

In a video posted on Twitter, the two rap legends can be seen inside the city council’s chambers addressing its members. “As Atlanta grows, corporations are going to be coming in here,” Killer Mike opens his plea. “Somebody is gonna have a nightlife in the convention city. It’s gonna be the owners of Hard Rock or the owners of Hooters or the owners of a W Hotel.” Soon after, he proceeds to argue that the ordinance will disproportionately affect small businesses. As a result, he points out that either the city supports large corporations with the “nuisance” ordinance, or scrap the ordinance and support local businesses. “Are we gonna keep Atlanta a place where local people can go and thrive?” Killer Mike said. He argued that the ordinance will wipe out opportunities for local artists and entertainment venues of which corporations not native to Atlanta will exploit.

“I’m very blessed, and I also like to be a blessing to others, and that’s what my businesses have allowed me to do,” 2 Chainz said. He added that the ordinance punishes businesses for crimes they did not commit, but instead are simply committed near their establishment. “If a crime happens by city hall, was it city hall that caused it?” he rhetorically asked, as reported by the Rolling Stone. It’s obvious that Killer Mike believes that the ordinance should not be passed. “Do the right thing and send this back to committee,” Killer Mike concludes his argument.