Alabama town that inspired 'To Kill a Mockingbird' elects first Black mayor

The small town in Alabama that inspired the American literary classic “To Kill a Mockingbird” and was home to the book’s author Harper Lee has made history by electing its first Black mayor.

The City of Monroeville, a town of about 5,700 residents, elected Charles Andrews to be its next mayor, making him the first African American to ever hold that post.

Andrews, 65, defeated incumbent Sandy Smith on Aug. 25 and is set to be sworn into office on Nov. 2.

“Today as I stand on the threshold of history, the shoulders of our parents and our foreparents, we are one people, one town and one team, all inclusive,” Andrews said in a victory speech, according to CNN.

“I am looking forward to working with the city council, the police department, business leaders, my staff and everyone for the betterment of the town and its citizens...There is no time to waste,” Andrews said.

Andrews became the first Black state trooper in Alabama’s Department of Public Safety to reach the rank of Major in 1994 and became the first African American to serve as interim director of the department eight years later, according to AL.com. In 2011, he was appointed by President Barack Obama as U.S. Marshal in Mobile.



https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/equality/514697-alabama-town-that-inspired-to-kill-a-mockingbird-elects