Atlanta protest turns violent over killing of environment activist: US
In the wake of the killing of an environmental activist by authorities this week, six protesters were detained Saturday evening in downtown Atlanta, as per local authorities.
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A demonstrator holds a sign protesting the death of an environmental activist, in Atlanta, on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023. (AP)
Authorities reported that six individuals were arrested Saturday evening in downtown Atlanta following protests in response to a proposed police training facility and the fatal police shooting of an activist earlier in the week.
The protests started peacefully on Saturday evening down a central Atlanta street, but Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum claimed in a news conference that a group from within the crowd turned violent and engaged in unlawful acts of sabotage.
🚨#BREAKING: Violent protests have been reported in Atlanta
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 22, 2023
📌#Atlanta | #Georgia
Violent protests have erupted tonight in Atlanta after police killed a man on the 18th. There are reports of police cruisers on fire and rocks being thrown as activists call for a “Night of Rage”. pic.twitter.com/qKTc20g79n
BREAKING: @Atlanta_Police vehicle burns in downtown Atlanta, police are working urgently to clear the streets of #COPCITY protesters. Very chaotic scene unfolding right now. #BREAKING #ATL #NEWS #NOW @FOX5Atlanta pic.twitter.com/XGf6M50t4O
— Billy Heath III (@BillyHeathFOX5) January 21, 2023
The protests come just days after the police killing of a 26-year-old activist near the site of the training center set to house a planned $90 million, 85-acre law enforcement training facility – dubbed “Cop City” by its opponents.
Manuel Teran, 26, was inside a tent as law enforcement swept Weelaunee People's Park.
Opponents of the center have camped out in the area for months in an attempt to halt construction.
Police arrest 3, kneel on neck of person screaming "I CAN'T BREATHE" at #StopCopCity #JusticeForTort protest in Atlanta tonightpic.twitter.com/lQWn15tqYQ
— Defend the Atlanta Forest (@defendATLforest) January 22, 2023
Georgia Bureau of Investigation claimed, in a news release, that law enforcement authorities observed a subject in a tent in the woods and provided verbal directions, but the individual allegedly did not cooperate and shot a Georgia State Patrol Trooper.
Officers returned fire, fatally wounding the individual. According to the GBI, a firearm found from the suspect matched the projectile from the trooper's wound.
Opponents of the Atlanta Police Foundation's $90 million project south of Atlanta argue it would result in the destruction of hundreds of acres of forest and would severely harm the ecosystem.
