Organizers and public safety officials are preparing for a rally at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Underground Atlanta. The event was announced shortly after last night's grand jury decision not to charge Officer Darren Wilson with the fatal shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo.

Geography is always an important factor when it comes to protests in Atlanta, given that two of the most common venues -- the state Capitol and Centennial Olympic Park -- are state-owned property and thus would be under the watchful eye of the Georgia State Patrol, a largely white law enforcement institution. (The Capitol grounds would be off-limits in any case, due to fenced-off construction.)

Underground Atlanta is a city property, and thus under the protection of the more diverse Atlanta Police Department. As of this morning, a spokeswoman said Mayor Kasim Reed had no plans to address the protestors this evening. But you can bet he'll be keeping an eye on the proceedings.

One of those who'll be speaking this evening is state Sen. Vincent Fort -- who sent the above Twitter message. This morning, Fort said to expect the debate over Ferguson to extend into next year's session of the General Assembly. "You can be sure we're going to be discussing body cameras, no-knock warrants, and how police departments get military equipment," the state senator said.

***

This tweet from U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Atlanta, sent shortly after the Ferguson announcement was made, is getting much attention:

Others weighing in:

President Barack Obama:

"[W]e need to recognize that the situation in Ferguson speaks to broader challenges that we still face as a nation. The fact is, in too many parts of this country, a deep distrust exists between law enforcement and communities of color. Some of this is the result of the legacy of racial discrimination in this country. And this is tragic, because nobody needs good policing more than poor communities with higher crime rates."

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed:

"While many are saddened and angered by the grand jury's decision, I urge everyone taking part in demonstrations to do so in a peaceful manner. I support the efforts of local leaders to promote non-violent expression by self-policing and elevating the voices of community members… It is also essential that all local, state, and federal law enforcement officials show proper restraint and respect every citizen's constitutional right to assemble. Atlanta's history demonstrates that we can come together and protest in a non-violent and peaceful fashion."

Fulton County Commission Chairman John Eaves:

"Fulton County and Atlanta can and should remain a symbol of the best among us and places that set examples of the best way to deal with these issues. That is why in the wake of the grand jury's decision in that city, I urge our residents to remain calm as those who object to that decision make their feelings known in a peaceful manner. As the cradle of the civil rights movement, Atlanta has been the scene of many peaceful protests as our residents have made their feelings known on so many important societal issues."

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Decatur:

"Death, personal injury or property destruction will not right the injustice, nor will it bring Michael Brown back to life. So let's be smart, and let's handle this through the strategy of non-violence. I also urge law enforcement to exercise restraint and to not meet peaceful protesters with a militarized show of force like what we saw in August. Such a display will only inflame protesters and provoke a violent response."

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In an interview with Denis O'Hayer of WABE (90.1FM) on Monday, Attorney General Sam Olens said the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to take up a decades-old water dispute among Georgia, Alabama and Florida could mean millions of dollars in legal fees and many more years of argument.

However, Olens also said prospects for an out-of-court settlement are actually looking up, given that the three governors involved -- Alabama's Robert Bentley, Florida's Rick Scott and Georgia's Nathan Deal -- are all in their second and final terms, with legacies on their minds:

"One could argue successfully, I believe, that it's easier to resolve this issue when all three governors are in their second term. So I think there's a greater opportunity for the three to now get together and to try and solve this problem. It's not Herculean. It just takes good faith."

Asked if metro Atlanta could see the amount of water it draws from Lake Lanier reduced by Supreme Court order, Olens said this:

"Everyone's at risk. All three states. It's a courtroom. Like any other case."

***

One strand of Democratic debate on the party's post-election path forward holds that elected officials should embrace more populist issues that poll well with working-class voters and middle-class types.

We've already seen evidence of that approach in a few of the pre-filed legislative proposals put forth by House Democrats. These bills have virtually no chance of passing the Republican-controlled House, but they offer a glimpse of the strategy of some rank-and-file members.

With House Bill 8, state Reps. Tyrone Brooks of Atlanta and Dewey McClain of Lawrenceville are seeking to force a debate over the minimum wage. Their bill would push the current minimum of $5.15 an hour to at least $6.20 an hour, and as high as $15 per hour in some cases.

State Rep. Dar'shun Kendrick's proposal would make it easier for students to qualify for the HOPE scholarship by giving students in some advanced courses a weighted GPA that exceeds 4.0.

And House Bill 9, authored by Brooks and state Rep. Keisha Waites, would codify a "ban the box" provision. That means people seeking work with state agencies would no longer need to disclose prior convictions on job applications.

Gov. Nathan Deal has indicated he would sign an executive order to make that change, carving out an exception for some corrections jobs and other sensitive gigs, but he has yet to do so.

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