Cook: Rowdy activist loved by Chattanooga’s poor moves away

David Cook

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Last week, Chris Brooks, a local activist loved by the poor and despised by the rich, left Chattanooga for good, moving to a leased apartment in New York City.

(Across Chattanooga, men with top hats and monocles rejoice. Finally! He’s gone! Jeeves, more champagne!)

Brooks’ departure is the moral equivalent of a factory closing its doors. Democratically, Brooks was a civic builder, a principal architect behind Chattanooga Organized for Action, which resurrected a vocal, provocative, gutsy activism in our 21st century Chattanooga. Partnering with folks across the city, Brooks, barely 30, was one of our best organizers: honest, inviting, tough as they come.

The union fight at VW. Hill City and Normal Park. Justice schools. Affordable housing. Occupy Chattanooga. Domestic partner benefits. Black Lives Matter. Teacher autonomy.