Jackson airport control fight goes to federal trial, with mayor, councilman testifying

House Minority Leader testifies in trial over Jackson airport control

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) - On Wednesday, House Minority Leader Robert Johnson III (D-District 94) testified in the federal trial over who should control the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport. The dispute dates back to 2015 when state lawmakers passed a bill that would replace the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority (JMAA) with a new regional board. [...]

Jackson airport trial witness says contracts fueled takeover effort

The trial is expected to last 10 days.

‘Race has a lot to do with it’: Mayor points to state’s pattern of racism in dealing with Jackson

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – The election of a Black radical mayor who believed in self-determination likely spurred state lawmakers to take over Jackson’s international airport. Jackson Mayor John Horhn took the witness stand on Tuesday in the airport takeover case, where he said that the 2013 election of the late Mayor Chokwe Lumumba, coupled with the appointment of an all-Black airport board, likely contributed to the state’s decision to push the …

Jackson airport control fight goes to federal trial, with mayor, councilman testifying

Jackson Mayor John Horhn and Councilman Vernon Hartley testified in court, alleging racial motivations behind the proposed airport takeover legislation.

Mayor John Horhn’s Statement Following Today's Testimony

In my testimony today, I stated that I believe race was a factor in the Legislature’s effort to take control of the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport. This issue reflects broader, longstanding concerns about race relations.