Residents demand explanation after council changes "Arc of Justice" bridge name without public notice

During the meeting’s final public comment period, residents sharply criticized the unexplained removal of the “Arc of Justice” bridge name and asked the council to account for the change.

Anthony Arrington said council actions occurred "in the cloak of darkness" and that he had yet to receive a substantive explanation for why the bridge name was changed after raising the issue previously. Arrington said he was publicly accused of lying by the mayor after his earlier remarks and demanded to know what he had said that was untrue. “None of you have told me why you made that decision,” he told council members, and he pressed for preservation of the name as symbolic of justice and civic values.

Anne Carter, another resident, urged the council to consider context and transparency, saying names matter and noting the mayor’s public comments describing the bridge as a lifeline for vulnerable populations. She suggested that the decision may reflect a desire to avoid political scrutiny or legal risk and encouraged council members to seek public perspectives before removing symbolic names.

Council did not take formal action on the matter during the meeting and no staff presentation or ordinance about the structure’s name appeared on the agenda. Commenters asked the mayor and council to provide a public record explaining who requested or directed the name change and on what basis.

Next steps: Speakers asked for a public explanation and for the council to restore or formally consider retaining the "Arc of Justice" name; no scheduling or staff response was recorded in the meeting minutes.