Lumumba joins Jackson City Council in opposition of Senate Bill 2628. See what he said

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba denounced Senate Bill 2628 during a Monday press conference, calling it "an effort to seize control of a Black city run by Black leadership."

Senate Bill 2628 would create a water authority consisting of a nine-member board and a president appointed by the governor and the lieutenant governor. It would also require approval from the U.S. Department of Justice.

"I think we have to be unequivocal in our rejection of it," Lumumba said. "I think it needs to be shut down. It's the same conversation that happened beforehand where state leadership came to me and said, 'Well, do you think Biden's going to write you a check?' And then after it happened I went to them and I said, 'Not only do I think he will, he did.'"

Council members react to bill: 'What we need is a partner, not a slaveowner': Majority of city council oppose SB 2628

Lumumba is referring to the $600 million the U.S. Congress approved to give to the City of Jackson last year to make improvements to the city's water system. Lumumba blasted state legislators for now wanting to takeover the water system after his administration secured those federal funds.

The mayor said city leaders have been discussing the matter with legislators in the Jackson delegation to figure out plans on how to stop the bill.

More on Senate Bill 2628: Jackson MS water system faces second takeover attempt in Mississippi Legislature

"It needs to be a group of sincere actors working to benefit the City of Jackson. Not people we've come to for decades and said, 'Listen, we need help with our system, it's not a matter of if but a matter of when,'" Lumumba said

Lumumba was also critical of Ted Henifin, the federally appointed third-party water administrator, voicing support of the bill. Not only did he say that Henifin did not discuss the potential state takeover with anyone from the city, Lumumba said Henifin doesn't talk to his administration "at all."

See why Henifin supports 2628: Jackson MS water system takeover by state supported by water administrator Ted Henifin

"We are the biggest champions for Ted because Ted's success is the city's success," Lumumba said. "We're going to make sure that the voices of the people who have been suffering at the hands of water insecurities for 30 years plus aren't out of this conversation. We're going to make sure that no matter who are, even if we believe that you have technical knowhow, we're going to make sure that you hear that, we're going to make sure that there's equity in this process.

"We're not going to apologize for that, nor are we going to be quiet. And that's for anybody who has authority over this system anywhere right now."

The mayor's comments come hours after the Jackson City Council voted to approve a resolution opposing the bill.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson MS mayor denounces potential state takeover of water system