Just days before the deadline, petitioners have suspended their campaign to recall Mayor Justin Bibb, citing what they call targeted intimidation from the mayor’s staff and supporters.
Juan Collado Diaz of Accountable Cleveland Era, a coalition of about 25 local residents and business owners, said the group’s efforts were thwarted by “intimidation tactics” and “false accusations” from the mayor’s allies, including local clergy.
“Throughout the process, we encountered significant obstacles, including threats to personal safety, intimidation tactics, and false accusations, particularly from members of Cleveland’s Black clergy and community leaders,” Diaz said in a written statement. “These actions created an environment of fear and hostility that severely limited our ability to conduct outreach and gather signatures effectively.”…