Lumumba stands by comments that water takeover is effort to make Jackson 'no longer Black'

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said he stands by comments he made two years ago that a takeover of the city's water system "is going to be the first step of trying to make the city no longer Black."

The mayor's comments came to light after a recording was played during the trial of former Deputy Director of Water Operations Mary Carter, who was suing the city for wrongful termination. Carter was secretly recording the mayor while they were both discussing "alarming drops in pressure" the city's water system was experiencing in 2022, right before Jackson's water crisis.

Part of the comments Lumumba made in the recording include:

“We absolutely believe that there’s a coordinated effort to take this water treatment facility and that effort ... it’s bigger than the little politics that we get into. If that happens, that is going to be the first step of trying to make the city no longer Black. I'm not talking some large conspiracy. It’s what happened in Detroit, right? Detroit (isn’t) as Black as ... it used to be. It’s a change in the politics and the reason that happened is they know that is the way you finance and support everything you do. You're going to go bankrupt if you don't. So, you know, while ... they’re making their efforts, we have to make sure that we don’t aid them in their efforts. I know that that's easier said than done ... So we need to make sure that our communication is so sound."

Jackson Water Crisis:How the Clarion Ledger covered the Jackson Water Crisis

When asked during his Monday press conference if he stands by those questions, Lumumba didn't waver.

"Let me say this unequivocally just in case anyone's confused or it's not clear: I am proud that I live in a majority Black city and I don't apologize for that," Lumumba said. "Now does that mean that I have any ill intent or ill will or any designs against anybody else? Absolutely not."

"When we look at the treacherous history of the state of Mississippi, where some of the most horrible suffering has taken place, we should be proud — and I question anybody who isn't proud — that we live in a space where Black people have the opportunity for political and economic prosperity, growth and power," Lumumba continued. "But we’re like anybody else, there is some comfort in being able to be in a space that looks like you, that relates to you culturally.

The mayor admitted that the comments in the recording shouldn't surprise anyone. He brought up similar concerns to the Clarion Ledger back in April after being asked what he thinks of the state's attempts at taking over the water system, Jackson's airport and the Capitol Complex Improvement District.

More on state takeovers:City or State: Who is equipped to address Jackson's biggest issues? Depends on who you ask

More:Even with the council overriding his veto, Lumumba is not giving contracts to JPD, JFD chiefs

"It's consistent with everything I've always said," Lumumba said.