Petition filed to recall Monroe City Councilwoman Kema Dawson: What's next?

A petition to recall Monroe City Councilwoman Kema Dawson has been filed by District 5 residents Stanley Holmes and Gwen Dixon.

Organizers have 180 days to gather 1,954 signatures of registered voters in Dawson's District 5 − one-third of the registered voters − to place a recall election on the ballot.

In a statement to the News-Star, Dawson described herself as a servant leader who promised that she would put people over politics. Dawson said she is also putting results and outcomes over those who want control and division in the community.

"This recall attempt is designed to be a distraction, and it is nothing more than a political weapon," Dawson said. "I'm not going to let the actions of a few people outside of my district divert my attention from continuing the progress that the majority of the voters in District 5 elected me to accomplish."

Former Monroe mayoral candidate and community organizer Marie Brown told The News-Star she is supporting the petition because she doesn't believe Dawson has supported Black organizations like the Southside Economic Development District while advancing funding for the Downtown Economic Development District, Walnut Street and Tower-Armand economic development districts.

Brown said Dawson has done more to support improvements at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo than for District 5 residents.

"Should we get the crumbs that fall from the animals' trees and cages?" Brown said.

Brown accused Dawson of stifling Black community leaders' voices in public meetings if they have differing opinions regarding matters of District 1 and District 2. Brown noted Dawson had Monroe City Marshals escort her from a meeting at Monroe City Hall.

Richwood Mayor Gerald Brown survived a recall election in December 2021 after organizers garnered enough signatures to put a recall on the ballot. The petition was submitted with 462 verified signatures, 81 more than the required 381.

Richwood mayoral recall:'There's more to it than just words on a paper. There's a plan behind it': Richwood mayor responds to recall effort

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This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Recall petition filed against Monroe City Councilwoman Kema Dawson