Atlanta City Councilmember Faces Criticism During Q&A with Local Students
Atlanta, GA – It was a typical day for students at The New School in Atlanta until a visit from Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari turned into an unexpected drama. During a recent question-and-answer session, tensions flared, leaving students and faculty in shock.
A Visit That Took a Turn
On October 24, Councilmember Bakhtiari showed up at the school, slightly out of the blue, while her chief of staff Nic Cappon had been invited as the guest speaker. Though Bakhtiari’s appearance wasn’t planned, it quickly became evident that the session would be anything but ordinary.
As students were engaged in dialogue about various pressing issues, one curious student asked Bakhtiari about an incident involving her and a security guard at Oakland Cemetery, which had occurred earlier that month. This question, although completely within reason, seemed to catch Bakhtiari off guard and could have been the beginning of a tense moment.
Shocking Reactions
According to a parent of one of the students, the atmosphere shifted dramatically after the question was posed. Bakhtiari reportedly lost her temper, calling the young student “racist, sexist, and homophobic” among other accusations. This aggressive response shocked not only the student but also others present in the auditorium.
The parent recounted that another student, just trying to be helpful, asked if the councilmember would assist the security guard in finding a new job. Instead of discussing the matter calmly, Bakhtiari’s body language reportedly transformed into one of aggression. Concerned teachers and faculty later felt it was essential to reassure the students that they behaved respectfully during the entire exchange.
Aftermath and Reactions
Head of School Peter Lefkowicz reached out to parents through an email, providing details about the outburst. He explained that the initial part of the Q&A was generally productive, but the later part spiraled out of control. “I want to emphasize that the question the student asked was in no way inappropriate or offensive,” Lefkowicz stated. “It was carefully phrased, and the student took care to contextualize it.”
He further criticized Bakhtiari’s approach, describing her response as “offensive name-calling” and pointed out that teachers and counselors were available to support students following the incident. He praised the students for remaining “respectful and reasonable” during an unsettling encounter.
Community Support and Concerns
In the days that followed, Lefkowicz urged the school community not to publicly discuss the incident, primarily to protect the involved students’ privacy. However, many felt it was important to bring attention to what transpired during Bakhtiari’s unexpected visit.
A Brief Look at Councilmember Bakhtiari’s Recent History
This incident isn’t the first time Bakhtiari has generated headlines. Earlier this month, she drew scrutiny after an altercation with a security guard at Oakland Cemetery. She later took to social media to express her disappointment with how the media handled the story, arguing that it focused on the “aggressor” rather than her experience and that of her friends.
In a lengthy post, she described the confrontation during what was meant to be a joyous engagement celebration, citing that as they were leaving, an unidentified man shouted obscenities at her group. This situation escalated, ultimately resulting in the security guard losing his job, a matter Bakhtiari expressed regret over.
Final Thoughts
The incident at The New School raises questions about how public figures interact with young community members. It also highlights the challenges that come with being a public servant in a social climate that often feels charged. As students and staff continue to talk about the incident among themselves, it will be interesting to see how this incident shapes discussions around civility and respect in public discourse.
For the school community, this episode serves as a critical learning opportunity about the importance of communication and respect, not only in politics but in every aspect of life.
