Geist and Gaylor Baird talk abortion, policing in debate focused on Black community

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Clyde Malone Community Center hosted its first debate ever Monday between this year’s candidates for Lincoln mayor.

Ishma Yusaf Valenti, the moderator, said the problems that Black Lincolnites face aren’t always brought up in mayoral debates.

“We came together to offer that opportunity for the people to be able to hear firsthand what the mayors have plans for policywise to help the Black community in particular,” Valenti said.

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and Suzanne Geist were both in attendance on Monday night.

After Gaylor Baird brought up Geist’s voting history on abortion in the Legislature, Geist was forced to address the topic.

“Those of you who are African American, let me speak to you. You are 4.78% of our population, but 21% of abortions are from your community,” Geist said. “Twenty million of you have been aborted. Is that positive for your community? No, it’s not.”

She said her heart hurts for the African American community.

“That’s why I’m pro-life,” Geist said. “It’s not because I want to restrict women; it’s because I want you to be free.”

Gaylor Baird shot back.

“Wow. You heard my opponent talk about freedom and what’s good for you in her judgment,” Gaylor Baird said. “It is clear that she believes the politicians should be making those decisions instead of you. I don’t call that freedom.”

Both candidates also spoke on the subject of policing and how they would ensure that minorities aren’t targeted.

Gaylor Baird said she has worked with the Lincoln police chief to add body cameras and in-car cameras to hold both police and those they interact with accountable.

“They take their roles very seriously, and they work to police our communities equitably,” she said. “As part of that commitment, they are committed to ongoing implicit bias training, making sure they are working to prevent bias in traffic stops and police contact with Black and Latino residents.”

Geist said she wants to hire more police officers and get them on the streets.

She said policing was a main concern of the constituents she met with.

“One of the things we talked about was making sure that law enforcement understands the difference of culture as they’re going into that culture,” Geist said.

The candidates also spoke about increasing economic opportunities for minority business owners and being inclusive to refugee and immigrant communities.