There’s a power struggle in Newbern, Alabama, and the rural town’s first Black mayor is at war with the previous administration who he says locked him out of Town Hall. 'Not only has he been locked out of the town hall and fought fires alone, but he’s been followed by a drone and unable to retrieve the town’s mail and financial accounts, he says. Rather than concede, Haywood “Woody” Stokes III, the former white mayor, along with his council members, reappointed themselves to their positions after ordering a special election that no one knew about. 'Braxton is suing them, the People’s Bank of Greensboro, and the postmaster at the U.S. Post Office. '
For at least 60 years, there’s never been an election in the Town. Instead, the mantle has been treated as a “hand me down” by the small percentage of white residents, according to several residents. After being the only one to submit qualifying paperwork and a statement of economic interests, Braxton became the Mayor.
'Stokes and his council — which consists of three white people (Gary Broussard, Jesse Leverett, Willie Tucker) and one Black person (Voncille Brown Thomas) — deny any wrongdoing in their response to the amended complaint filed on April 17. They also claim qualified immunity, which protects state and local officials from individual liability from civil lawsuits.
