Athens Mayor Kelly Girtz faced intense heckling during a press conference on Wednesday in response to his perceived immigration policies after the tragic murder of nursing student Laken Riley. The incident, allegedly at the hands of a Venezuelan migrant, has stirred controversy despite Athens not having an official sanctuary city policy. Critics have accused Girtz of maintaining a soft stance on immigration, including signing a 2019 resolution that promoted diversity in the county.

During the heated exchange with hecklers, Girtz defended his position and clarified that there is no legislation establishing sanctuary city status in Athens-Clarke County. The mayor expressed condolences over Riley's death, emphasizing the importance of human dignity and referencing the political climate at the time of the 2019 resolution.

The murder of Riley, who was fatally beaten on the University of Georgia campus on February 22, led to the arrest of Venezuelan national Jose Antonio Ibarra. In response to the tragic events, the University of Georgia has allocated $7.3 million for security upgrades on campus.

Despite facing criticism and interruptions from hecklers, Mayor Girtz remained resolute in his stance on immigration and commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the community.