Explosive video shows a riot erupting in Atlanta after a protest against a fatal police shooting at the future Atlanta Public Safety Training Center that has been nicknamed “Cop City.”
On Wednesday, police shot and killed activist Manuel Esteban Paez Terán. The 26-year-old protested at the future site of a public safety training center planned to be built in a wooded area southeast of Atlanta.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Teran, who went by the name “Turtle,” refused to comply with law enforcement. Teran allegedly shot a Georgia State Patrol trooper in Intrenchment Creek Park. Other law enforcement officers returned fire, striking Teran and killing him.
Protests against the police shooting were organized in downtown Atlanta on Saturday at 5 p.m.
Protesters carried signs that read: “They can’t kill us all” and “Trees give life, the police take it away.” There were also chants of “Stop Cop City” and “If they build it, we’ll burn it down.”
However, the event of around 300 participants turned violent within an hour.
Rioters set off fireworks and threw large rocks at the Atlanta Police Foundation building in downtown Atlanta. Two police cruisers were set on fire and other APD vehicles had bricks thrown at them. Windows of local businesses were smashed during the riots surrounding the controversial ‘Cop City’.
u201cBREAKING: #COPCITY protesters throw rocks at the Atlanta Police Foundation building in downtown Atlanta. They also set off fireworks and spray painted the building. #ATL #BREAKING #NOW @FOX5Atlantau201d
— Billy Heath III (@BillyHeathIII) 1674341983
u201cBREAKING: @Atlanta_Police vehicle on fire in downtown Atlanta, police urgently working to clear streets of #COPCITY protesters. Very chaotic scene unfolding right now. #NEWS #ATL #NOW @FOX5Atlantau201d
— Billy Heath III (@BillyHeathIII) 1674342830
DURING: A crime scene has been set up in Atlanta as police work to secure a perimeter around two vandalized police vehicles. One completely engulfed in flames, another has a broken windshield. This is a rapidly developing situation, we’ll have updates on @FOX5Atlanta #COPCITY #ATLu201d
— Billy Heath III (@BillyHeathIII) 1674344028
u201cHere are some pictures of the @WellsFargo along Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta. One witness tells me he was handed a “police city” flyer by a group and then saw them break several windows. There is still a heavy police presence in the area. @11AliveNewsu201d
— Dawn White (@DawnWhite) 1674349270
When the police showed up, the crowd split mainly in two directions with the larger portion of people able to get away from the police presence. After most of the arrests, we noticed that one of the wrecked police cars was also on fire.u201d
— Garrison Davis (or just Gare) (@Garrison Davis (or just Gare)) 1674340552
Several rioters were arrested.
The Atlanta Police Department released a statement about the violence:
The Atlanta Police Department is aware of the ongoing events, and we will continue to monitor and address them accordingly. We stand ready to respond to demonstrations to ensure the safety of those in our communities and those exercising their First Amendment rights, or to address illegal activity, if necessary.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s office released a statement:
The governor remains well informed of the situation through regular updates from state law enforcement and is actively monitoring the situation. The State Patrol is well equipped to respond to all threats to public safety and is coordinating closely with other state agencies and local PD. As long as the state continues to respect peaceful protest, acts of violence against people or property will NOT be tolerated. Those who commit such illegal acts will be fully arrested and prosecuted.
Do you like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters and get stories like this straight to your inbox. Register here!
English 
Español de Venezuela