The city activated its Emergency Operations Center on Saturday morning -- out of an abundance of caution. But by 4 p.m. it was deactivated.

May Day protests resulted in the injury of three police officers, the arrests of sixteen people -- and much property damage Friday night. Police said the injured officers were released from the hospital before end of the night. On Saturday, they were home -- resting and recovering, according to officials.

The protest Saturday was in stark contrast.

The protest had grown to around 100 people by 1:45 p.m. Demonstrations were occurring in two groups by around 3 p.m. Traffic officials advised that delays in these areas should be expected. The two groups met at around 3:10 p.m. By 4:30 p.m., the protesters had peacefully marched for hours. At one point the group gathered into a circle in the roadway.

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Thousands of UGA students enjoy during the annual “Frat Beach” party for the weekend of the Georgia-Florida football game on St. Simons Island, Friday, November 1, 2024. On the weekend of the Georgia-Florida football game, St. Simons Island’s East Beach becomes “Frat Beach,” an open-air party teeming with thousands of highly inebriated college students. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC