Hundreds turned away from Dunwoody businesses overnight as protests turn violent

Hundreds of people were turned away from Perimeter Mall and other Dunwoody businesses overnight after demonstrators in Atlanta clashed with police and started looting.

Hundreds of people were turned away from Perimeter Mall and other Dunwoody businesses overnight after demonstrators in Atlanta clashed with police and started looting.

After what began as a peaceful protest turned violent in downtown Atlanta and Buckhead overnight, hundreds also made their way toward Perimeter Mall.

Dunwoody police said cars packed with people started pulling into parking lots about 1:40 a.m Saturday.

Many of the vehicles had their license plates covered up or missing, and those that did have tags appeared to have come from out of state, Dunwoody police spokesman Sgt. Robert Parsons said.

“Throughout the next hours, we had groups at Walmart and other businesses in that area,” he said. “Officers were able to deter any looting and eventually the groups left the area without incident.”

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Parsons said Dunwoody officers received assistance from police in nearby Sandy Springs, Brookhaven and Chamblee.

“In total, we estimate between 150 and 200 vehicles were pushed out of the mall and surrounding area, many packed with multiple occupants,” he said.

In Atlanta, groups clashed with officers, torched vehicles and looted businesses after what began as a peaceful demonstration against police brutality took a violent turn.

May 29, 2020 - Atlanta - After a peaceful march the Georgia State Capitol that swelled into the hundreds, protesters returned to the area around the Centennial Olympic Park and CNN center where some confronted police, who sprayed some demonstrators with pepper spray. They carried signs and chanted their messages of outrage over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Ben Gray for the Atlanta Journal Constitution

Credit: Ben Gray for the AJC

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Credit: Ben Gray for the AJC

Gov.Brian Kemp activated hundreds of Georgia National Guard troops early Saturday to help law enforcement contain the violent protests that swept through the city.

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No looting arrests were made in Dunwoody overnight, but several people were taken into custody after officers stopped a vehicle that had been carjacked, according to police.

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