A Black man who was fishing in his own neighbourhood in Newnan, Georgia, was approached by several passersby who seemed to have a problem with him being there.
Anthony Gibson, known as @fishingbay2ga on TikTok, was filming when a white woman approached him asking if he had permission to fish in the location.
She also states she'll take note of his license plate and pass it on to the officials.
He told Newsflare about his encounter: "I am a black man who went fishing my entire life in California. I have never been bothered ever in my life for fishing anywhere in California. I moved to this beautiful-looking neighbourhood in Newnan, Georgia.
"All of a sudden I am constantly being harassed by my own neighbours. Although I lived here for one or two years, they still dont know who I am. I run around the neighbourhood all the time you can ask anyone to watch my social media because I record myself doing everything I run for an hour straight nonstop about three times a week, they wave at me and keep it moving.
"A white lady drove by my friend's vehicle, started to slowly back up and look at their license plates, Im not a fool. I knew that she was going to be in our business because were Black.
"She walks approximately 100 to 200 feet away from her car to approach us while we are quietly fishing. There is no loud music, alcohol, partying or smoking involved. She approached us asking 'do we live here?'
"Im very upset because she is the third person that same day to come approach us. This makes me believe that there is a circle of people around this neighbourhood that likes to bother people because the first two people drove by the car, and she was actually bold enough to approach us.
"When I see news like this on TV, unfortunately, its always a white person saying they feared for their safety so they protected themselves or they stood their ground.
"I am afraid to actually go outside the door and work out because of the circle of friendship they have around here. People might blame me for this lady being fired from her job however, that is not my fault. She knew that I was recording, and she continued to say what she said and to do what she did.
"There are no sidewalks in his neighbourhood so I usually run on the street with the bikers. I see this lady and others at times and I dont want them to be upset and accidentally hit me or bother me while Im running on the road.
"This is unfortunate because this is how I get my exercise because I dont have a gym membership. Lastly, in one of our HOA meetings, one of the Black people in the neighbourhood thought we should get the name of the neighbourhood changed. The neighbourhood is literally called Plantation.
"When she brought this up, a white woman stood up and said if you do not like the name of the neighbourhood, 'why did you move here?'
"Honestly, it was a good price, for a nice-looking neighbourhood, especially being from the hood of Oakland and Vallejo, California. I just wanted a better life without being pestered by my neighbours.
"Now I cant work out or even fish at that same spot. The president of HOA spoke to me yesterday and want an apology, a man wanted me to make a video saying that it was a mistake so the lady could possibly get her job back.
"Im not about getting people fired but Im also about standing up for whats right especially if it happened several times to me Im a big believer in God and its in his hands. Im just trying to be honest and let the world know. Sorry to be long-winded, but its just been weighing on me.
"Now I cant fish in my favourite spot, which is only two minutes from my house, I cant run exercise around the neighbourhood because of fear of what someone will do to me. She lived here for a long time, thats what the HOA president told me and he didnt want any problems in his neighbourhood, I can understand that and I honestly dont feel comfortable and safe here anymore. God bless you all. Keep me in your prayers as I will keep you in mine."
Gibson also told Newsflare about a previous encounter: "Literally a time before that with my same friends the police came and I asked officer Moore why are we being bothered his response was someone anonymously tipped us that they heard laughter.
"So apparently we cant have fun anymore. I thought robbing people, being loud, drinking and smoking, were things people got complaints for but now its laughter. Its so sad to see the state that America is in right now."
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