I join others in signing this petition to protest the astronomical raising of tax rates by the McIntosh County government of Darien, GA on the historic Saltwater Geechee/Gullah people of Sapelo Island.
Why is this important?
Sapelo Island, Ga is home to one the last historic Geechee/Gullah communities in the entire United States. McIntosh County sent out notices in which they raised property tax rates upwards 500%-1,000% on Island residents; most of whom are older/retired & live on fixed incomes. We should all be concerned because this shouldn't happen in America. Sapelo Island's culture is truly the last of a very important part of not only African-American history; but also American history. The Sapelo community of Hog Hammock is currently on the federal National Registry of Historic Places through the US Dept of Interior, but this hasn't stopped the county government of McIntosh from raising taxes at a rate they know Sapelo's residents & descendants alike aren't able to pay.
