On the "Wake Up With Dee Morning Show" Host Dr. Dee Dawkins Haigler spoke with Clayton County Commission Chairwoman Dr. Alika Anderson-Henry who recounted the excitement and challenges of hosting a group of Vietnamese monks on their peace walk through metro Atlanta, pushing back against accusations that she politicized the event and overshadowed its spiritual purpose.
The monks, part of a broader initiative to promote peace and unity, entered Clayton County from Fayette County, marking their first stop in the metro area. Anderson-Henry described the rapid mobilization required to ensure their safety and a warm welcome, emphasizing the collaborative effort in just two days.
"We only had two days to get this together," Dr. Anderson-Henry said. "I had to just put on my governmental cap, my teaching cap, all of my jobs that I've ever done before and say, hey, we've got to get this together."
The chairwoman highlighted the involvement of local officials, including Police Chief Roberts, Fire Chief Tim Sweatt, Councilwoman Huynh from the Vietnamese community, and Mayor Lample of Morrow. Grady Healthcare Systems provided medical support, and a veterinarian from Marl Animal Hospital tended to the monks' dog, Aloka. Crowds gathered at key stops like the Little Giants Farmer's Market and the Morrow Center, where the monks received proclamations and refreshments.
Dr. Anderson-Henry stressed safety concerns after one monk was reportedly hit by a vehicle earlier in their journey. "When they come into Clayton County, they will not be hit," she said. "We are going to give them logistics as they enter."
The interview took a contentious turn as Dr. Dee raised criticisms circulating on social media. Some accused elected officials, including Dr. Anderson-Henry, of turning the walk into a political spectacle, seeking limelight, and behaving inappropriately, claims of being "in the monks' faces," touching them, and making the event "too ghetto." Others alleged fights and disruptions.
Dr. Anderson-Henry firmly denied politicizing the visit, attributing her visible role to longstanding ties with the local Vietnamese temple and monks, who had supported her campaign. She explained her interactions as logistical discussions and crowd management, noting that a security officer trained as a monk accompanied them for protection.
"As a leader, as a political leader, when people come into your city, come into your town ... you talk to the people," she responded. "When you come into Clayton County, we're going to treat you good. We're going to treat you like family. We're going to make sure that we protect you as well."
She dismissed the backlash as potentially rooted in gender or racial bias, comparing her actions to those of past leaders like Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, or Atlanta mayors Bill Campbell and Maynard Jackson. Dr. Anderson-Henry emphasized her nurturing approach as a woman and mother, while affirming her commitment to visibility in the community.
Callers weighed in during the show. Nicole, a participant in the event, urged Dr. Anderson-Henry to self-reflect, accusing her of dominating the stage at the Morrow Center ceremony and overshadowing the monks. "You literally were on the stage. You were taking over the conversation," Nicole said. She criticized photos of Dr. Anderson-Henry with the dog and suggested the chairwoman turned off social media comments to avoid feedback.
In response, Dr. Anderson-Henry clarified that the ceremony involved interpreters and local leaders calming the crowd at the monks' request. The monks received medical care upon arrival, not due to exhaustion from officials, and the program included presenting pens from each city, a tradition. She noted that the monks themselves requested photos with her the next morning before departing for DeKalb County.
Another caller, Jihad, offered support, prioritizing Dr. Anderson-Henry's broader contributions to Clayton County over the isolated event. He praised her efforts to address poverty, education, and economic development, weighing them against the brief walk.
"I'm going to weigh what she said about Clayton County and what Clayton County is doing and what she's attempting to do for Clayton County against that one-day, two-hour march," Jihad said. "That walk becomes irrelevant to the contribution of this particular chairman."
Throughout the discussion, Dr. Anderson-Henry wove in Clayton County's challenges and progress. She cited a 16.8% poverty rate, 72,000 SNAP recipients among 300,000 residents, and 28,000 adults needing GEDs, based on recent census data. Under her leadership, the county secured $16.6 million from Delta Air Lines, won an award from the Atlanta Regional Commission, and boosted median income to about $50,000.
She portrayed the monks' visit as a unifying moment that highlighted Clayton's potential, given its proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest. "Clayton County is a county where the world lands and opportunities take off," Dr. Anderson-Henry said.
The chairwoman expressed no regrets but apologized if anyone felt offended, vowing to continue advocating for her constituents. She hinted at organizing another walk to address teen shootings, underscoring the need for community unity amid chaos.
The monks' journey, inspired by Buddhist principles, aimed to foster peace across communities. Their stop in Clayton drew large crowds eager to join, reflecting a mix of spiritual reverence and local pride.
To listen to the full interview, click the link above.