Former Georgia Sen. Vincent Fort dies at 68, remembered as ‘people’s champion,’ staunch advocate for fairness

ATLANTA—Vincent D. Fort, a tireless civil rights champion who represented Georgia’s 39^th District in the State Senate for over two decades, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 22. He died after a long battle with cancer, his family said. He was 68.

Fort, whose district included a portion of the city of Atlanta, College Park, East Point, Union City and unincorporated Fulton County, was well known for his tenacious spirit in fighting for fairness for the underserved. He authored Georgia’s first Hate-Crimes law and predatory lending law in 2001, which were dismantled by the Georgia Supreme Court and the Republican majority respectively.  Fort also was arrested with protestors in the Occupy Atlanta movement. 

Fort served as state senator from 1996 to 2017. He left office  in 2017 and made an unsuccessful bid for the position of Mayor of Atlanta. 

Just 20 days before his passing, Fort was honored by the Atlanta City Council for his community leadership and legacy. The City Council declared Dec. 2 as Vincent Fort Day. 

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens who described Fort as “unbought, unbossed and unafraid at the City Council celebration,” issued the following statement on his passing:

“Vincent Fort has been my friend colleague, and advisor for nearly 12 years. He will go down in Atlanta’s history as a hero for civil, housing and human rights for all. This is a loss for too many who never knew him. My prayers are with his loved ones, his co-workers and audience and the unfortunate folks who never experienced his passion and fire for justice,” Dickens said.

The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus(GLBC) said the longtime legislator and community leader impacted countless lives, and his relentless commitment to justice earned him the respect and admiration of many. The GLBC issued the following statement: 

“Senator Vincent Fort’s unwavering dedication to civil rights and his ability to inspire meaningful change will forever be remembered,” said Senator Nikki Merritt, GLBC Chair. “His legacy is a reminder of the power of advocacy and the importance of standing firm for what is right.

As we mourn the loss of a true leader, we also celebrate his life and the indelible mark he left on Georgia and beyond. The values and causes he so passionately championed serve as a call to action for all of us to continue working toward a more just and equitable society.

Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Senator Fort’s family, friends, and all who

were touched by his life and work. May he rest in power.”

During his tenure in the State Senate, Fort served on committees including education, redistricting and Metro polytan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority(MARTA). 

MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood issued the following statement on Fort’s passing:

“MARTA joins Atlanta in mourning the passing of former State Senator Vincent Fort, a pioneering statesman who cared passionately about the wellbeing of every Georgian. As a longtime member of MARTOC, Senator Fort played a vital role in providing oversight and support for MARTA, championing the importance of public transit and economic opportunity.

His unwavering commitment to underserved communities and his fight for justice left a profound legacy. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who were inspired by his leadership and service,” Greenwood said.