A two-week state of emergency has been enforced by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp in light of the riots in Atlanta - with a high possibility of deploying up to 1,000 National Guard troops to maintain the situation.

The protests started on January 21 in Atlanta, three days after an environmental activist was shot and murdered by the Georgia State Patrol, while he himself was protesting for months alongside others against the $90 million project to build an 85-acre, law enforcement training center in one of Georgia's forest lands. 26-year-old Manuel Esteban Paez Teran is allegedly said to have shot at an officer first "without warning" but currently no evidence exists of that.

The rioters began chucking rocks and fireworks while burning a police car in front of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center.

The governor's executive order stated, "Because of unlawful assemblage, violence, overt threats of violence, disruption of the peace and tranquility of this state and danger existing to persons and property, a State of Emergency is declared in the State of Georgia," 

February 10 is when the state of emergency expires but there is a possibility of extension.

Authorities reported that six individuals were arrested last Saturday in Atlanta following the initially-peaceful protests, 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.

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

🚨#BREAKING: Violent protests have been reported in Atlanta

📌#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

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 22, 2023