Durham’s 2025 municipal election was one of the most contentious in recent memory.

Many residents have expressed deep frustration with the city’s current political climate and growing concern about the direction it is heading under its existing leadership. In response, a coalition of former political candidates, community organizers, and activists has come together to form an alternative governing body known as the Bull City Council.

The Bull City Council describes itself as a more community-centered alternative to the official Durham City Council. Its stated mission is to restore “all power to the people” by activating Durham residents to collectively address community concerns rather than relying on a local government that, organizers argue, has consistently prioritized corporations and developers over poor and working-class communities.

The council is led by former city council candidate Ashley Robbins, who has been declared “The People’s Mayor.” Robbins ran openly as a socialist and earned 11.25% of the Ward 2 primary election vote, funding her grassroots campaign entirely out of pocket.

She drew significant attention for using unconventional tactics to highlight class disparities in Durham. Robbins faced criticism for distributing “Wanted” posters in poor and working-class neighborhoods that featured images of certain city council members and accused them of “social murder” based on their policy decisions.

Robbins and other organizers have also engaged in direct community care efforts. During the past two Durham City Council meetings, they have provided free meals outside City Hall as part of a nationwide mutual aid initiative known as The People’s Table. The event included hot meals and the distribution of groceries, hats, gloves, thermal socks, emergency blankets, and hygiene kits for unhoused community members.

The Bull City Council plans to focus on a wide range of issues affecting Durham residents, including class inequality, gentrification, food insecurity, gun violence, community safety and defense, and environmental racism.

Looking ahead, it intends to conduct outreach to organizers and activists across Durham to build alliances under the banner of the Bull City Provisional Government. Organizers say the effort aims to model what true, uncompromised, people-powered and people-centered leadership can look like in Durham.

For more information, call 919-523-5753 or email: [email protected].

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