Athens, Georgia mayor Kelly Girtz is warning against people “conflating” the issue of crime with immigration.
During a press conference on the murder of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley on the University of Georgia campus, Girtz said, “In the main, I caution against conflating immigration and crime.”
“The data demonstrates that the two are not connected,” he added.
Girtz then noted the past four presidents have failed to secure a long time solution to the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Watch the video below:
Athens, Georgia Mayor speaks on the murder of Laken Riley: "I caution against conflating immigration and crime. The data demonstrates that the two are not connected." pic.twitter.com/Y1fNyraWo1
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) February 28, 2024
His comment comes after the murder of Riley.
Riley was jogging along dirt trails in Athens when she was allegedly killed by 26-year-old Jose Ibarra, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela.
Her murder comes amid a debate over the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border.
And Girtz was heckled with calls to resign as he tried to shoot down the claim Athens is a sanctuary city.
“You’re a liar!” one man shouted. “You’re the one who is guilty and got blood on your hands for this murder, sir!”
Athens Mayor Girtz (D) just tried to shift away blame over Laken Riley's death
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) February 28, 2024
Angry residents were NOT having any of it: pic.twitter.com/V6uXFqQAh6
Others called for him to resign.