Picture Perfect? LaGrange Council Race Explodes Over a Snapshot

According to Teara Harris, the incident began when she took a photograph during a recent public meeting—capturing LaGrange City Council candidate Cotton-Williams smiling and waving at the time. What Harris describes as a harmless snapshot quickly escalated into a confrontation.

In her written statement, Harris alleges that Cotton-Williams attempted to misuse or weaponize Councilman Childs’ authority by threatening to have her forcibly removed from the meeting. Harris says this was not about a picture at all, but about intimidation.

“I view this action as an attempt to silence me and infringe upon my right to attend and participate in open government proceedings,” Harris wrote.

Harris also noted that earlier the same day she had publicly asked, “Who will protect me from Councilman Childs?” She believes the later confrontation may have been connected to that comment.

“I engaged in no behavior that would warrant removal,” Harris stated, adding that the disputed photo itself shows Cotton-Williams smiling and waving at the moment it was taken.

The dispute underscores rising tensions in LaGrange’s political atmosphere, where accusations of harassment, intimidation, and misuse of authority are already casting a shadow over the upcoming City Council elections.

GT’s Statement:
“I will continue to photograph and film Candidate Cotton-Williams as often as I choose in any public space. She is running for LaGrange City Council, and the public has every right to observe and document her actions. If she wants to call the police on me for recording or asking questions in a public meeting, I welcome her to try.

This isn’t the first time such intimidation has been attempted. Councilman Leon Childs previously tried to appoint another individual to a City Council seat, and that person also claimed ‘harassment’ simply because I filmed and asked questions after a council meeting. Public scrutiny of elected officials and candidates is not harassment—it’s accountability. Do better.”

What the Law Says About Recording Public Meetings in Georgia

• O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1(c): “All public meetings shall be open to the public, and any member of the public shall be permitted to record the meeting through the use of a recording device.”
• O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1(b)(1): The Georgia Open Meetings Act requires city councils and other governing bodies to conduct business openly and transparently.
• Courts in Georgia have repeatedly affirmed that removing or threatening to remove someone for recording a lawful public meeting violates the Act, unless their conduct is actually disruptive.

📌 Know Your Rights:

• You are legally allowed to photograph or record city council meetings in Georgia.
• Officials cannot remove you just for taking a picture or video.
• The only exception is if your behavior is truly disruptive to the meeting.