Remarks by Michael Julian Bond
22 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 1 of 1
- Play at 2:59:44
“Thank you, Madam President. I have a question. It would seem to me that historic preservation is always worthy of preservation, right? And as the city government, we have the ability underneath our code to draw the lines of perspective, zoning areas and zoning districts the way that we see fit. Now, I can understand that there may be people on the street who may not all agree with the designation. But since we do have, I guess, 39 homes on that particular street, I'm sure the district can be drawn really just to contain those 39 homes. Is that something in the way of a compromise that we…”
Atlanta City Council · Sep 8, 2026
- Play at 3:02:50
“Well, I guess my follow-up question would be that if this paper is filed today, I mean, since those who have been involved in the effort presumably have been involved for some time. I mean, would you be willing to, I guess, introduce the legislation for the application for those particular homes?”
Atlanta City Council · Sep 8, 2026
- Play at 3:03:21
“But you would support something like that?”
Atlanta City Council · Sep 8, 2026
- Play at 3:03:37
“Well, I'm glad to hear that there would be some concession and compromise, perhaps, for those who are seeking the historic designation. I guess it would be great to have everyone. But if you don't, if you can save and preserve what you can save and preserve, I think it would probably be worthy of that. I don't know about the starting over part, but, I mean, to win a support, I mean, that's why this place is... Councilman Bond. I'm sorry?”
Atlanta City Council · Sep 8, 2026
- Play at 3:05:17
“Well, I think that's a great idea because, again, You know, we control our zoning code. So the procedures, the rules, you know, we're the body that sets those things. And so even like the starting over part, and I understand the analogy that Councilman Wong was making, but we still control that, right? And so if we're going to end up in the same place where there are 39 or 40 homes that will still end up, whether it's the overlay that you talked about or a specific historic designation for those particular homes, I was just seeking a quicker resolution to the problem rather than, I guess this…”
Atlanta City Council · Sep 8, 2026
- Play at 3:08:26
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Atlanta City Council · Sep 8, 2026
- Play at 3:09:50
“I just wanted to explain my vote. You know, I appreciate everything that the colleague, Council Member Wong, said. And I'm not necessarily opposed to what he said. But I do want just to have my vote reflect the possible frustration that some members of the community obviously have worked hard on trying to get us to this point. So I want to make sure that that was reflected in the position that I have. But I do still firmly believe that since this has been filed, that the new application, I don't know what we can do on the council per se because it's not our application, but I would support…”
Atlanta City Council · Sep 8, 2026
- Play at 3:22:39
“I have a resolution signed by all members present, a resolution at all to establish the Peebo Bryson Legacy Commission in honor of his contributions as a Grammy Award-winning vocalist, songwriter, Atlanta music icon, and for other purposes, whereas the Peebo Bryson was an iconic musician balladeer and R&B artist whose remarkable career spanned decades, earning national and international acclaim, whereas P. Bo Bryson dominated the soul and R&B charts for nearly 20 years, celebrated for his romantic ballads and globally recognized Disney duet performances. And whereas Peebo Bryson is a Grammy…”
Atlanta City Council · Sep 8, 2026
- Play at 3:29:12
“Thank you, colleagues. I'd like to move to move this to the mayor's office. Proceeds.”
Atlanta City Council · Sep 8, 2026
- Play at 3:29:56
“Yes, we're ready. Do you have one? Yes, I do.”
Atlanta City Council · Sep 8, 2026
- Play at 3:29:59
“Of Elms ID number 41117, in ordinance by Councilmember Michael Julian Bond, I authorize the donation in an amount not to exceed $250 from the Post 1 at Large Carry Forward Account to the Bethlehem United Methodist Church in recognition of its 150th anniversary and for other purposes.”
Atlanta City Council · Sep 8, 2026
- Play at 1:00:35
“Is this everyone? Well, I want to say good afternoon to everybody. Oh, good afternoon. Oh, it's great to be here with you on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the class of 1976 from the Frederick Douglas High School in Atlanta. This is a great occasion on, not just for their reunion from their scholastic experience at Atlanta Public Schools, but also their graduation, their matriculation through this high school came at a time of great optimism, great spirit of patriotism in America, Unlike the 250th, the 200th anniversary of this country was a very unifying experience. Plus, they began…”
Atlanta City Council · Aug 17, 2026
- Play at 1:06:45
“Y'all squeeze in a little bit, real quick. OK. Let me take a quick picture right here for you. No, but look natural. Look like we're in motion. Smile.”
Atlanta City Council · Aug 17, 2026
- Play at 1:07:20
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Atlanta City Council · Aug 17, 2026
- Play at 1:09:45
“thank you thank you thank you madam city attorney would you like to say a word”
Atlanta City Council · Aug 17, 2026
- Play at 1:11:23
“We had that prepared for a reason, Madam President. Please keep it on display. Please keep it on display. Thank you, I appreciate it. We're still within our time, so there's no reason to interrupt us. Thank you. You actually interrupted us right now. Please continue the slideshow. That's a part of our presentation in the honor of this class. Thank you. I would deeply appreciate it. Thank you. Please keep it going, staff. I apologize to the class for that. But we want to make sure that when we're honoring people, we're honoring them, not hurrying the honor, not pushing the honor, but…”
Atlanta City Council · Aug 17, 2026
- Play at 1:14:31
“They can't do it. Even when you all were there, they didn't want to give you all the credit for the achievements that you had. But you're getting it today. We love you. We support you. And we want you to know how special you really are.”
Atlanta City Council · Aug 17, 2026
- Play at 1:14:52
“No, we good, we know that. Because on Douglass High, thy name we acclaim.”
Atlanta City Council · Aug 17, 2026
- Play at 1:16:12
“Now we'll do what the city council does best. We'll take a picture. You come around to the front. Let's bring the proclamation. Come on.”
Atlanta City Council · Aug 17, 2026
- Play at 1:17:41
“I'm not going to fuss with you right now.”
Atlanta City Council · Aug 17, 2026
- Play at 1:48:38
“We're in public comment, and that's what we're doing right now. Council Member Bond? We're not debating. We're not debating. Seriously.”
Atlanta City Council · Aug 17, 2026
- Play at 4:20:53
“Marcus Aurelius teaches us that though he was emperor of all Rome, he followed the philosophy of stoicism. And in that philosophy, you are taught that you cannot control the actions or words or deeds of others, but you are in wholly, 100% control over yourself. And so with that, I failed to follow stoicism for which I practiced. So I wanted to come to the mic today. Well, I wanted to do it earlier, but I had a doctor's appointment at 3, so I had to leave. But I'm here now. And I believe that offenses that are committed in public though I was encouraged to do otherwise, to pull people to the…”
Atlanta City Council · Aug 17, 2026