The streets of Atlanta filled with protesters calling for justice in the wake of two black men killed by police officers. Demonstrators first gathered at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights near Centennial Olympic Park and later moved to the Atlanta Connector, where two major highways intersect.
Advertisement
Protesters say they’re speaking up because they believe silence is akin to violence.
(WRDW12) – CNN is reporting protesters in downtown Atlanta have blocked part of Interstate 75/85. “We urge anyone protesting not to enter the highway”.
The demonstrations outside the state Capitol attracted a mixed-race crowd and supporters bringing water, fruit and sandwiches to support the efforts.
“The fact that it could be me, the fact that it could be my brother, my dad, my uncle”, he said. He said the debate stirred by the shootings “only galvanized us, strengthened our resolve”. He said more need to make their voices heard about gun control at the upcoming Democratic National Convention.
“We’re at a tipping point”, he said. One Atlanta artist who said his name was Zeeq told CL he thinks the large number of people congregating for this cause shows potential for change. “I have a fear for myself. I promise that we will not rest until justice prevails”.
The mayor said he supported people exercising their Constitutional right to assemble and march, but encouraged protestors and officers to “turn toward each other with great dignity, great respect and great restraint”.
Similar protests reportedly broke out in Arkansas, California, Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington D.C., Massachusetts, Louisiana and Colorado. They happened just one day after a sniper ambushed Dallas police officers, killing five and wounding seven who were monitoring non-violent protests there. “Last night the Nation watched, prayed, and grieved for the 11 Dallas Peace Officers that were shot and the 5 that were killed in what is the deadliest attack for law enforcement since 9/11”.
At least 261 people were arrested in NY and Chicago and in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where two black men were shot to death by police.
The two shootings stoked racial tensions that have flared repeatedly across the country following the 2014 killing of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teen, by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri.
Reed said about 15,000 people attended various protests this weekend, and 14 people were arrested Saturday and Sunday by the Atlanta Police Department.
Atlanta’s mayor and police chief are asking Black Lives Matter protesters angry at the police to remain peaceful ahead of a planned protest in Buckhead, according to Atlanta INtown.
“It’s very apparent that we’re all in pain and we’re frustrated”, Cannon said.
Advertisement
In Memphis, hundreds of activists met with the city’s mayor and interim police director, while in Sacramento, a late afternoon demonstration was expected to draw about 1,200 people to a downtown park. Darin Schierbaum said about 200 officers from his department worked the protests, none of whom were in riot gear.
