Civil‑rights notice and community groups press council on charging practices and violence prevention

Several public commenters used the council meeting to press the city on criminal‑justice and public‑safety issues.

Jessica Saxon, a civil‑rights advocate from Washington, D.C., and Tannewa Downing, a civil‑rights litigator, presented a notice contending that South Carolina’s practice of allowing criminal charging by 'information' rather than indictment conflicts with the U.S. Constitution. Downing cited federal statutes (Title 18) — including claims involving 18 U.S.C. §242 (deprivation of rights under color of law) and §241 (conspiracy to deprive rights) — and said he has affidavits from people across the state. He asked council to direct local officers to act in accordance with constitutional obligations and said litigation at higher courts is anticipated if practices are not corrected.

Separately, Nasir Ashanti of Gangs and Peace, a Columbia nonprofit working with at‑risk youth, asked for city funding and partnership to scale mentorship, violence‑intervention and safe‑zone work, citing program outcomes (mentored more than 250 youth; de‑escalated more than 100 incidents in two years).

Felicia Jones urged that settlement funds from a state suit against Scout Motors be used for a high‑speed rail corridor and made broad claims about public‑health links to violence; city officials responded that state litigation funds and settlements are not city‑controlled.

What happens next: Council acknowledged receipt of the legal notice and said staff will consult city attorneys; community groups were invited to coordinate with the city’s community engagement office about potential funding or partnership opportunities.