Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling is offering to resign as Mayor in January in exchange for an end to the demonstrations in his city over the police shooting of Steve Perkins.

According to audio received by the Decatur Daily, the mayor has been holding meetings with the widow of Steve Perkins and grassroots activist groups.

“Y’all have been asking for a couple of resignations, including mine,” Bowling said in the recording. “Over the weekend, after some thought — talking with friends of mine and such — I shared with Michael this morning that if the protests at our home would stop, and if the public comment would stop, that the first week of January [2025], I will step down.”

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The activists have been demanding for the resignations since Perkins was shot and killed by Decatur Police officers on Sept. 29.

Perkins was fatally shot in his yard when the police arrived to settle a dispute over an attempted vehicle repossession. Perkins threatened a tow truck driver with a gun and later turned a gun on an officer.

“That would give everyone some time to show that they’re going to hold true to their commitment,” Bowling continued. “This is a give-give opportunity here. I’m giving up something, and I’m asking y’all to give up something. It’s a request, it’s not a demand. It’s a win-win.”

Jacob Ladner, city council president, would automatically become the new mayor unless the city council votes against it.

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” Weekdays 9-11 am on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee