ATLANTA — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens are among prominent Georgians paying tribute to former state Sen. Vincent Fort who died Sunday night.
Channel 2′s Audrey Washington was at the State Capitol, where Fort served the community for many years and spoke to those remembering him in his passing.
Former State Senator, Vincent Fort passed away this weekend after a battle with cancer, his family confirmed. He was 68 years old.
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Fort was at one time the Democratic leader in the Georgia Senate. Those who knew him well remember him as a political giant. Known as a force in Georgia politics, the former state senator was honored by political figures across the aisle for his dedication to helping Georgians.
“A great politician has transitioned to be with the ancestors,” Georgia NAACP President Gerald Griggs said. “So, deep sadness.”
He was a force in Georgia politics, with Griggs remembering how he “grew up looking up to him and to be able to work with him in the movement was one of the great treasures of my life.”
Griggs told Channel 2 Action News he last spoke with Fort just two months ago.
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Fort was a champion of liberal causes in Georgia, and was once a candidate for Atlanta mayor and U.S. Congress.
The former senator was known for his booming voice and activism. Fort penned the state’s first hate crimes law in 2000 and linked with protesters in the Occupy Atlanta movement, including being arrested in 2011.
Griggs said one of Fort’s biggest fights and causes was equitable housing.
“He was the first one to sound the alarm about rampant gentrification and the need to protect legacy homeowners,” Griggs said.
On Monday, various leaders across Georgia reacted to Fort’s passing, with tributes pouring in.
Gov. Kemp wrote in a statement that Fort was a “good man who faithfully served our state for over 20 years in the Georgia State Senate. While we had many political differences and spirited policy debates throughout the years, he was always respectful and wanted to do what was best for our citizens. Rest in peace, Senator.”
Mayor Dickens paid tribute as well, saying “Vincent Fort has been my friend colleague, and advisor for nearly 12 years. He will go down in Atlanta’s history as a hero for civil, housing and human rights for all.”
Members of the Atlanta City Council shared a statement saying in part that “his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.”
Funeral arrangements for Fort are still being planned.
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