GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Greensboro city leaders have voted in favor of fighting against the so-called "Trudy Wade Bill."
The measure passed with only one vote against it coming from Tony Wilkins. WFMY News 2's Emily Spain spoke with Wilkins who said, "I think this is a big waste of taxpayer money, but the council has spoken."
Several council members gave fiery speeches urging the city to fight this new law.
"It's time to fight. And I urge my colleagues to give the city attorney the authority to fight for us and to fight for Greensboro," new council member Justin Outling said.
The vote followed a public meeting from community members who spoke both for and against taking litigation against the bill that ultimately shakes up city council representation.
One Greensboro resident said, "I want to task this council to do whatever is in its power to fight this bill. It's wrong, it's immorally wrong, it's spiritually wrong, anyway you look at it, it's wrong."
Civil Rights Activist Skip Alston spoke in favor of the bill, "I didn't like the process the Senate used to get us here but I'm glad they did, cause otherwise after 33 years of using the same old outdated and unfair system, this never would have happened."
The majority of the people who spoke against the bill were people who live in Greensboro, while the majority of people who spoke for the bill... live outside the city. Non-residents said, what affects residents and taxpayers in Greensboro, affects everyone in Guilford County.
The bill became law last week after the house passed it in a close vote. The new law redraws the district lines, gets rid of at-large council members and only allows the mayor to vote in a tie. For voters this means going from voting for four council members and the mayor to one council member and the mayor.
Sen. Trudy Wade stated the following in a statement about the lawsuit:
"I am confident the new plan will withstand this baseless lawsuit, and I am certain the new plan will better serve the people of Greensboro by expanding representation and allowing residents from every part of our city an opportunity to serve on their city council."
The city still has to hire an attorney to help it take on the state. The city attorney does not know how much it will cost taxpayers just yet, it depends on the law firm and how long the fight takes. The city spokesperson said Greensboro will use money from its risk retention fund to pay for the possible suit, which is basically the city's insurance.
The city hopes to file before July 27th, which is the new filing date for candidates.
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