#basil eleby

[longform]

After flames engulfed an Atlanta highway last year, police arrested Basil Eleby for arson. The fire could have destroyed his life. Instead, it may have saved it.

Max Blau | Atlanta Magazine | Nov 2018

[thenewviewerdaily]

Basil Eleby's lawyer says he's being made a 'scapegoat'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4415252/Basil-Eleby-s-lawyer-says-s-scapegoat.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

[gopashionistas-blog]

Atlanta’s Interstate-85 Collapse Shows How Large Cities Treat Their Homeless

A few weeks ago, Atlanta's Interstate-85 collapsed, bursting into flames. Countless stories circulated the media, all sources scrambling for the most accurate answer. Was it a premeditated attack? An overlooked flaw during construction? Whatever it was, there was surely some significant damage. 

For the next few days following the collapse, the city was left to ponder a myriad of different possibilities.  

It was not until earlier this week that the public received an official answer. City officials speculated that the blaze was a result of one individual's negligence, Basil Eleby. Eleby, an Atlantan living without shelter, was confirmed to be smoking crack cocaine prior to the fire's outbreak. 

His two counterparts, Sophia Bruner and Barry Thomas, were also held accountable, but with lesser sentences; Eleby faces state level charges for arson, trespassing and criminal damage to property—whereas Bruner and Thomas have only been pinned with misdemeanor criminal-trespassing citations. Reasons given for such a drastic difference in sentencing is due to one witness statement, claiming that Eleby had set a chair ablaze—which is thought to be the sole catalyst for the inferno. However, the defendant recalls leaving before the fire commenced.

Though we can all admit that it feels comforting to be given answers, we must always challenge the validity of our sources. How do we know this is what really happened? Since when has a burning chair been capable of demolishing concrete? And, is Eleby just a scapegoat for Atlanta's flawed infrastructure?

Such an inquiry might not seem necessary to many. However, the city of Atlanta has made a sport out of mistreating its impoverished populations.

Consider the 1996 Summer Olympics. During this time, Atlanta displaced thousands of low-income residents, making way for new and expensive development; many of these former homeowners are now shelterless. 

What might come as even more of a surprise is the city's aggressive attempts to further marginalize the already-shelterless population. Before the Olympics even began, Atlanta issued over 9,000 arrest citations to those living on the streets. But the debauchery did not stop there.

Since 2012, 95% of Atlanta's apartment development has been considered luxury. Those living without shelter can now hardly afford to even consider a change in lifestyle. 

This reality has also caused some serious problems for those who once had no problem affording their homes; now, more than 53% of these people must allocate 30% of their income to housing. Atlanta is deliberately pushing these people out—a population we know is predominantly black. On top of that, Atlanta is ranked number one in the country for income inequality and immobility. See a pattern here?

Though it is almost obvious to assume that race had some kind of implication on the ruling—considering both Bruner and Thomas are white, and Eleby is black—the impact of modern-day capitalism is less recognizable. 

But I urge you, do not be fooled; Atlanta, like so many of its counterparts, is a corrupt city. Its current leadership will stop at nothing to assure capitalist gain, even at the expense of its life-long residents. 

Imagine the devastation the city would face if word got out that one of its most convenient bridges collapsed due to poor planning and misused funds. Instead of blaming those victimized by the city, consider the city's part in misleading all of its residents. 

I refuse to believe that a lawn chair caused such immense destruction, and you should too.

[ltbest]

I’m looking in the story for how a section of an interstate collapses.  Here’s what I found:

Basil Eleby, 40, has been charged with arson in connection with the fire.

Statements from the couple he was with, now charged with only trespassing, say they were with Eleby to smoke crack and at one point watched Eleby "place a chair on top of a shopping cart, reach under the shopping cart and ignite it."

So. . .lemme get this straight:

Dude smokes crack -> while high lights a chair on fire -> I-85 collapses.

How about instead:

Dude smokes crack -> while high lights a chair on fire -> ONE THING LED TO ANOTHER -> I-85 collapses.

[alexatwood86]

Arson Suspect May Have Used Crack Before Atlanta Overpass Fire

Basil Eleby, the current sole suspect, has been arrested and charged with first-degree arson and criminal damage to property. 

from Subscribe to The Fix via RSS https://www.thefix.com/arson-suspect-may-have-used-crack-atlanta-overpass-fire

[mentalhealthnews247]

Exclusive: I-85 fire suspect Basil Eleby is mentally disabled - Rolling Out

#MentalHealth - http://dlvr.it/NpBCnP

[atlien]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Michelle 𝓐𝓣𝓛𝓲𝓮𝓷 Brown (@iamatlien)

‘Crack Smoking’ Homeless Man Blamed For Atlanta Fire & Bridge Collapse… https://t.co/SjA30Glabr Meet Basil Eleby, 39. Elerby is the man accused of setting the fire that destroyed part of Interstate 85 last Thursday evening. News reports are saying that the homeless man and 2 other friends were spotted below the bridge on the day of the fire. According to court documents, Eleby was allegedly heard talking about ‘smoking crack’ cocaine just moments before it became engulfed with flames. Read full post on StraightFromTheA.com (link in bio) - https://t.co/SjA30Glabr #straightfromthea #atlien #atlanta #atlantafire #i85bridgecollapse

[24kmusicmag-blog]

T.I. Voices Suspicions Over Atlanta Fire

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the massive fire on Atlanta’s I-85 freeway, but T.I. has a few suspicions about the story. The Hustle Gang frontman voiced his suspicions over reports that 39-year-old suspect, Basil Eleby, smoked crack before allegedly starting the blaze...

[chpatdoorsl3z0a1]

Atlanta faces toughest test after fallen highway overpass - ABC News

Commuters are bracing for huge rush hour traffic jams and delays Monday as the first full workweek opens since the fiery collapse of a major Atlanta interstate bridge. And the rush hour headaches could just be the start of traffic tieups that could ... I-85 collapse: Crews razing fallen highway overpass in Atlanta Fox News Atlanta bridge fire suspect was smoking crack before blaze began New York Daily News Who is Basil Eleby? Atlanta I-85 fire, collapse suspect held on $200000 bond; latest on traffic AL.com Boston.com all 1,000 news articles »

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[rtscrndr53704]

Atlanta faces toughest test after fallen highway overpass - ABC News

Commuters are bracing for huge rush hour traffic jams and delays Monday as the first full workweek opens since the fiery collapse of a major Atlanta interstate bridge. And the rush hour headaches could just be the start of traffic tieups that could ... I-85 collapse: Crews razing fallen highway overpass in Atlanta Fox News Atlanta bridge fire suspect was smoking crack before blaze began New York Daily News Who is Basil Eleby? Atlanta I-85 fire, collapse suspect held on $200000 bond; latest on traffic AL.com Boston.com all 1,000 news articles »

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[grgedoors02142]

Atlanta faces toughest test after fallen highway overpass - ABC News

Commuters are bracing for huge rush hour traffic jams and delays Monday as the first full workweek opens since the fiery collapse of a major Atlanta interstate bridge. And the rush hour headaches could just be the start of traffic tieups that could ... I-85 collapse: Crews razing fallen highway overpass in Atlanta Fox News Atlanta bridge fire suspect was smoking crack before blaze began New York Daily News Who is Basil Eleby? Atlanta I-85 fire, collapse suspect held on $200000 bond; latest on traffic AL.com Boston.com all 1,000 news articles »

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[exfrenchdorsl4p0a1]

Atlanta faces toughest test after fallen highway overpass - ABC News

Commuters are bracing for huge rush hour traffic jams and delays Monday as the first full workweek opens since the fiery collapse of a major Atlanta interstate bridge. And the rush hour headaches could just be the start of traffic tieups that could ... I-85 collapse: Crews razing fallen highway overpass in Atlanta Fox News Atlanta bridge fire suspect was smoking crack before blaze began New York Daily News Who is Basil Eleby? Atlanta I-85 fire, collapse suspect held on $200000 bond; latest on traffic AL.com Boston.com all 1,000 news articles »

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[porchenclose10019]

Atlanta faces toughest test after fallen highway overpass - ABC News

Commuters are bracing for huge rush hour traffic jams and delays Monday as the first full workweek opens since the fiery collapse of a major Atlanta interstate bridge. And the rush hour headaches could just be the start of traffic tieups that could ... I-85 collapse: Crews razing fallen highway overpass in Atlanta Fox News Atlanta bridge fire suspect was smoking crack before blaze began New York Daily News Who is Basil Eleby? Atlanta I-85 fire, collapse suspect held on $200000 bond; latest on traffic AL.com Boston.com all 1,000 news articles »

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[rtawngs20815]

Atlanta faces toughest test after fallen highway overpass - ABC News

Commuters are bracing for huge rush hour traffic jams and delays Monday as the first full workweek opens since the fiery collapse of a major Atlanta interstate bridge. And the rush hour headaches could just be the start of traffic tieups that could ... I-85 collapse: Crews razing fallen highway overpass in Atlanta Fox News Atlanta bridge fire suspect was smoking crack before blaze began New York Daily News Who is Basil Eleby? Atlanta I-85 fire, collapse suspect held on $200000 bond; latest on traffic AL.com Boston.com all 1,000 news articles »

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[repwincoml4a0a5]

Atlanta faces toughest test after fallen highway overpass - ABC News

Commuters are bracing for huge rush hour traffic jams and delays Monday as the first full workweek opens since the fiery collapse of a major Atlanta interstate bridge. And the rush hour headaches could just be the start of traffic tieups that could ... I-85 collapse: Crews razing fallen highway overpass in Atlanta Fox News Atlanta bridge fire suspect was smoking crack before blaze began New York Daily News Who is Basil Eleby? Atlanta I-85 fire, collapse suspect held on $200000 bond; latest on traffic AL.com Boston.com all 1,000 news articles »

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[pat78701]

Atlanta faces toughest test after fallen highway overpass - ABC News

Commuters are bracing for huge rush hour traffic jams and delays Monday as the first full workweek opens since the fiery collapse of a major Atlanta interstate bridge. And the rush hour headaches could just be the start of traffic tieups that could ... I-85 collapse: Crews razing fallen highway overpass in Atlanta Fox News Atlanta bridge fire suspect was smoking crack before blaze began New York Daily News Who is Basil Eleby? Atlanta I-85 fire, collapse suspect held on $200000 bond; latest on traffic AL.com Boston.com all 1,000 news articles »

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