The Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) has decertified and shut down seven group homes in the northern portion of the state.
A spokesperson for the agency provided The Decatur Daily with information about the closures that occurred on Wednesday.
"During the decertification process, individuals are given the choice to move to other certified settings," said Malissa Valdes, public information officer from ADMH. "As of today, the individuals have been moved to alternate certified provider settings. Staff at R&R Group Homes have been cooperative in proceedings related to the decertification process and client transitions. The provider may appeal the decertification process."
The move by ADMH has drawn heavy criticism from the owner of the group homes, Morgan County NAACP president Rodney Gordon. According to Gordon, the State cited him for fraudulent background checks of employees.
Gordon, however, is now contending that the closures are solely related to his participation in the Decatur Steve Perkins protests.
"I'm not worried about it. This is what I think. I think because of my protesting, that's where they mess with me from," said Gordon. "The only reason they came to my houses was because of the protesting."
"They're not doing me like they did (Officer) Bailey Marquette. They gave him due process. They didn't give me due process. They just came to my houses. You feel me," he added.
In October of 2023, Gordon turned himself in to the Decatur Police Department after a warrant was issued for his arrest relating to a protest on the Hudson Memorial Bridge on U.S. 31. He was charged with disorderly conduct after joining a large group of demonstrators in blocking both southbound lanes of traffic.
Gordon has previously defended his presence at the disruptive demonstration.
"The protest on the bridge was not a planned protest; my car stopped on the bridge, okay? And people know it was me, and they just started chanting, and that's what happened."
The NAACP official joined The Dale Jackson Show in October 2023, but later abruptly hung up when asked about the incident and his feelings on personal integrity.
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