Black faith leaders have called out Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp over “divisive rhetoric” they said perpetuates harmful stereotypes about race and crime.
“District Attorney Coty Wamp’s comments are deeply concerning for their broad generalizations and the underlying implications they carry,” a joint statement said.
The Rev. William Terry Ladd issued the collective statement on behalf of clergy and community members Wednesday night in reaction to Wamp’s statements that the majority of local crime victims and perpetrators are Black.
“The constant whining from the clergy has become a distraction, and my commentary on their unwillingness to act will cease after today,” Wamp said Thursday in a written response shared with the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
The tension between a group of Black faith leaders and Wamp also surfaced in July.