"Keep on marching. It is our time." Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin began her speech with those words during the March On for Voter Rights event outside the King Center in Atlanta Saturday. She added "every generation has an obligation to pick up the baton."
Following her speech, Franklin talked with Audacy Atlanta's Maria Boynton about the Atlanta mayoral race which has 14 candidates. According to Franklin, the large number of candidates means "democracy is alive and well, that there are people who understand the role of mayor is important."
Franklin went on to say that Atlanta needs "an honest mayor. We need a smart mayor. We need an engaged mayor. We need an accessible mayor. We need a mayor who is going to look forward at the same time they're taking care of the issues of today."
Asked by Boynton if she had a prediction as to who Atlanta's next mayor might be, Franklin said "It'll be a good person because I know Atlanta won't let us down."
Franklin later told Boynton that she has not endorsed a candidate, however "I urge every voter to prepare to vote by absentee or in person."