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Jasper, Texas: Mayor Anderson Land reviews notes before a city council meeting at City Hall on June 12, 2023 in Jasper, Texas. Mark Felix/The Texas Tribune
Race in East Texas

In the shadow of James Byrd’s murder, city leaders can’t agree how to move this East Texas town forward

Jasper’s second Black mayor wants to help residents pay their bills while a younger city council wants to invest in the city’s culture. Residents call their heated arguments at city council meetings “foolishness” and “embarrassing.”


Jasper, Texas: (Far L- Far R) Ronald Sample argues with David Shultz during a city council meeting on June 12, 2023 in Jasper, Texas. Mark Felix/The Texas Tribune
Jasper, Texas: An overhead view of Huff Creek Road and the bridge where James Byrd Jr. was beaten and chained May 29, 2023 in Jasper, Texas. Mark Felix/The Texas Tribune
Jasper, Texas: Mayor Anderson Land poses for a portrait in at City Hall on June 12, 2023 in Jasper, Texas. Mark Felix/The Texas Tribune
Jasper, Texas: Shops in downtown Jasper May 29, 2023 in Jasper.
Jasper, Texas: Mamie Horn, daughter of the first black  mayor R.C. Horn, poses for a portrait June 12, 2023 in Jasper, Texas. Mark Felix/The Texas Tribune
Jasper, Texas: The Jasper Courthouse May 29, 2023 in Jasper, Texas. Mark Felix/The Texas Tribune
Jasper, Texas: A flower grows next to Huff Creek Road May 29, 2023 in Jasper, Texas.

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