The family of LaShawn Thompson plans to attend Wednesday's Fulton County Commission meeting. "We're seeking answers," says family attorney Michael Harper, in reference to "their oversight of the Fulton County Jail regarding the death of LaShawn Thompson."
Thompson died in the Fulton County jail last September. His family says he'd been 'eaten alive by bugs'. Attorney Harper says recent actions, including personnel changes at the facility, happened "because of the international backlash after the family came forward." The medical examiner ruled the cause of death as "undetermined".
Rallies have brought out leaders calling for justice, including Civil Rights attorney Benjamin Crump and Georgia NAACP President Gerald Griggs. Another rally was held Saturday at Woodruff Park in Atlanta. Thompson supporters are blaming city leaders and are calling for the resignation of Sheriff Pat Labat.
At least one county commissioner is 'being fair' to Labat. He is "really trying to make changes over there. He actually inherited an actual mess over there," says Fulton County Commissioner Khadijah Abdur-Rahman.
Abdur-Rahman tells Audacy Atlanta's Maria Boynton "unfortunately" Thompson's death could be the "catalyst" for change. She's among those rallying for a totally new jail to be built. "It's archaic and has worn out its usefulness" Abdur-Rahman says.
Sheriff Pat Labat talks about the deplorable conditions at the Fulton County Jail
Thompson was jailed in the psychiatric ward. "Incarceration is not the answer for the mental health," adds the 6th District Commissioner.
The Thompson family is also awaiting independent autopsy results paid for by Colin Kaepernick. The former NFL quarterback, turned social rights advocate, has an initiative that pays for second autopsies for deaths that are law enforcement-related.