On Friday afternoon, people gathered at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta to peacefully protest recent deaths of African Americans Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. The protests turned from peaceful to tense close to 6 p.m., when protesters threw water bottles and glass at police officers. APD SWAT arrived on the scene around 6:25 p.m.
»RELATED: Atlanta responds to George Floyd killing: Protest turns chaotic downtown
Protesters were ordered to get out of the street or face arrest about 10 minutes later, at 6:35 p.m., according to reports, however, Atlanta Police Department Chief Erika Shields told reporters that protesters could stand in the street and that there was no curfew in place.
The march started from Centennial and proceeded to the Georgia State Capitol building, where a moment of silence was observed.
Arbery was reportedly shot and killed by a white father and son who armed themselves and allegedly gave chase after seeing the 25-year-old black man running in their Brunswick subdivision in February.
Taylor was reportedly shot to death by plainclothes Louisville Metro Police Department officers Jonathan Mattingly, Brett Hankison and Myles Cosgrove on March 13 in her own home. The officers were executing a “no-knock” search warrant as they were investigating men suspected of selling drugs, but the man was more than 10 miles from Taylor’s apartment.
Floyd died in police custody on Memorial Day after cellphone video appeared to capture Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on his neck during his arrest as he said that he couldn’t breathe.
Social distancing guidelines are being observed during the march as concerns around the coronavirus continue. People were seen wearing masks and were asked to have an ID and emergency contact on them. Participants have also been encouraged by organizers to remain peaceful and follow guidelines such as not inciting violence, using cellphones to record everything, obeying traffic laws, not destroying property and not engaging with or running from police.
Credit: Raisa Habersham
Credit: Raisa Habersham
Credit: Raisa Habersham
Credit: Raisa Habersham
Atlantans and others responded to the march and shared their experiences on social media:
The latest images of the chaos in downtown Atlanta by @photobgray. pic.twitter.com/CuayMA3qZ5
— Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) May 30, 2020
#BREAKING: Protesters have started another car on fire in downtown Atlanta along Marietta Street: https://t.co/pcc4NclNk6 pic.twitter.com/KytOTK6nRe
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) May 30, 2020
THE TEAR GAS HAS BEEN DEPLOYED: #BLACKLIVESMATTER protest in Atlanta: https://t.co/WImd8UrHYh pic.twitter.com/NcYqioZMTH
— Sean Keenan (@ThatSeanKeenan) May 30, 2020
BREAKING: "What I see happening on the streets of Atlanta is not Atlanta. this is not a protest, this is not in the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr." -- Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in response to violent protests in downtown #Atlanta
— Courtney Bryant (@CourtneyDBryant) May 30, 2020
Black people, DO NOT burn down Atlanta. Atlanta is the greatest thriving African American community across north and South America. Protest forcefully and fearlessly but not foolishly #ATLFORUS
— sentravin (@sentravin) May 30, 2020
I stopped watching the news for 45mins to do a workout for a mental break and boom 💥 several people have lost their minds Downtown. Y’all this ain’t it.
— Kristen Holloway (@KHollowayWSB) May 30, 2020
Our fmr. mayor Young said it best: “demonstrations NEED leadership.” Pain turns protest then into rage real quick when there’s no one to diffuse it. The protest I attended earlier, was diverse, peaceful and effective. Those still out there please be safe #atlantaprotest #atlforus
— Simone Chérie (@thesimonecherie) May 30, 2020
FYI, I've since relocated to a press conference. Along the way, many Atlanta residents were carrying on as if there weren't a protest nearby. They were taking in the scene around them and enjoying what a humid Friday afternoon had to offer in the middle of a pandemic & protests. https://t.co/ddWZj5fQik
— Raisa Habersham (@newsworthy17) May 30, 2020
Well said Ambassador. #AndrewYoung just made a great point. With these actions they have crossed the line of protesters to hoodlums. #ATLForUS
— 𝐉𝐞𝐟𝐟 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 (@bjaj1) May 30, 2020
APD SWAT has walked in front of the building. pic.twitter.com/G7rS5usEcc
— Raisa Habersham (@newsworthy17) May 29, 2020
Thought my first post should showcase the resilience and unity of my city. #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd #BlackLivesMatter #ATLFORUS #AtlantaProtest pic.twitter.com/0tBpW0QrNO
— My (@OhXMyt) May 29, 2020
#ATLFORUS pic.twitter.com/1hjO1g8bKb
— mark (@hoodburbia) May 29, 2020
It’s the sign that says #southasiansforblacklives for me ✊🏽 #BlackLivesMatter #ATLFORUS pic.twitter.com/Rjv2DGoGih
— Retired HotGirl ⁷ (@LakyshaLove) May 29, 2020
Atlanta Georgia They’re threatening us with tear gas and detainment. Other than a FEW water bottles it’s been 100% peaceful. WE WILL NOT STAND DOWN. #atlantaprotest #ATLFORUS #gerogefloyd #BlackLivesMatters pic.twitter.com/yEv395hYXi
— Borgores son🔜 my bedroom✨ (@CalebLl237) May 29, 2020
someday, when I’m old I’ll be on my death bead and know that I stood up for what’s right. #ATLFORUS #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/ZIdskfv9My
— veronica co ✌🏻 (@theveronicaco) May 29, 2020
APD SWAT arrived. @ajc pic.twitter.com/YzjV34zV4G
— Raisa Habersham (@newsworthy17) May 29, 2020
Atlanta responds to George Floyd killing: Protest turns chaotic downtown. Read more/Watch live: https://t.co/DHpbUqpKQW pic.twitter.com/a9q4v3n9Gy
— AJC (@ajc) May 29, 2020
FYI to the Atlanta Police - Bringing SWAT vehicles into the current protest escalates things.
— The Frugal Banker (@TheFrugalBanker) May 29, 2020
APD is ordering the crowd to leave telling them they have three minutes to move. pic.twitter.com/VlnXffYrYy
— Raisa Habersham (@newsworthy17) May 29, 2020
Thousands have come to downtown Atlanta to protest the killing of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Read more in @ajc @erniesuggs pic.twitter.com/SB2UFnXNab
— Ernie Suggs (@erniesuggs) May 29, 2020
Protesters in Atlanta take over the downtown statue of He ray Grady to bring attention to the killing of George Floyd and police brutality. Read more in @ajc @erniesuggs pic.twitter.com/TaUvQurtnr
— Ernie Suggs (@erniesuggs) May 29, 2020
Atlanta native Clarissa Nelson was overwhelmed by the crowds Friday afternoon. The 64-year-old said she’d didn’t expect to see a diverse march like this in support of Black lives. “I’m full. I’m just thrilled that multiple people are in support of one.” pic.twitter.com/8ytViolKFQ
— Raisa Habersham (@newsworthy17) May 29, 2020
Protesters are nearing the capitol. pic.twitter.com/bIGYcZhaOZ
— Raisa Habersham (@newsworthy17) May 29, 2020
Business patrons and owners cheer and watch protesters. pic.twitter.com/jvd2UZMO8m
— Raisa Habersham (@newsworthy17) May 29, 2020
Officers block off roads as protesters march to Georgia capitol bldg. pic.twitter.com/pZJjNUsWPf
— Raisa Habersham (@newsworthy17) May 29, 2020
Thousands in Atlanta march in honor of George Floyd, the Minnesota man who was killed while handcuffed. The exact-officer at the center of it was charged with murder earlier today. pic.twitter.com/8FxVClIFXC
— Raisa Habersham (@newsworthy17) May 29, 2020
The chief of police in Atlanta talking and listening to everyone that has something to say#ATLFORUS #AtlantaProtest pic.twitter.com/qirbQRgViU
— BLACK LIVES MATTER (@joonhopekook) May 29, 2020
The Atlanta rally crowd was notably diverse, from a black woman doing the full march in a motorized wheel chair to a middle-aged white man carrying a sign reading, “I AM A THUG,” to a young Hispanic man blasting KRS-ONE’s “Sound of Da Police,” from a speaker in his pocket. @ajc pic.twitter.com/QbJb6IIVJs
— Ernie Suggs (@erniesuggs) May 29, 2020
There are so many people participating in today’s protest in Atlanta. Glad to know that we still have some real ones even through all this.
— Aggravated Black Boy (@N0Rob) May 29, 2020
Silence is complicity. #EnoughIsEnough #GeorgeFloydWasMurdered #runwithmaud #ATLFORUS pic.twitter.com/yifdsWyHKg
— Allie #EarpSoon (@gatech_allie) May 29, 2020
About the Author
