Gates City is in the right on this one. They accepted the petition of a black man, voted him in, entered, passed and raised him. It appears that charges were filled and in some jurisdications if charges are filled the GL has no choice but to move forward with them. If this is the case in GA I do not know, but it is in some areas. The GM has apparently made the statement that Gates City lodge did nothing wrong and wants the charges dropped.
I do believe that there is plenty of room for discussion on taking this public but sometimes it seems we have to be dragged kicking and screaming to do whats right and in this case doing what we profess to do anway "treat all men on the level and by the square".