Rioters in Atlanta set off fireworks and threw rocks at the Atlanta Police Foundation on Saturday night, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.
The incident comes after an activist, Manuel Esteban Páez Terán, 26, was killed by police after he allegedly rejected authorities’ demands on Wednesday and allegedly fired a gun at state police at the Training Center. Atlanta Public Safety.
“An individual, without warning, shot at a Georgia State Patrol trooper,” Michael Register, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, told reporters earlier this week. “Other police personnel returned fire in self-defense and evacuated the policeman to a safe area. The individual who fired at the police and shot the policeman was killed in the exchange of fire.”
Teran was an activist working against the development of the City of Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, and fellow activists vowed to protest the facility and the police after his death.
Atlanta Police Department SUV cracked down amid violent protests on Saturday, January 21.
(Billy Heath/Fox 5)
The protest began peacefully on Saturday before escalating into chaos, according to FOX 5.
ATLANTA: PROTESTERS CALL FOR ‘VIOLENCE’ AGAINST POLICE AFTER SHOOTING LEAVES 1 DEAD, OFFICER INJURED
“As long as the state continues to respect peaceful protests, acts of violence against people or property will not be tolerated. Those who commit such illegal acts will be fully arrested and prosecuted,” Governor Brian Kemp said Saturday.
Burning police cars in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday, January 21.
(Billy Heath/Fox 5)
Photos show the activists allegedly torching an Atlanta police vehicle in addition to targeting the Atlanta Police Foundation building.
“Atlanta police officers responded to a group that damaged property at various locations along Peachtree [Street]”Atlanta police said in a statement Saturday, according to Fox 5. Several arrests have been made at this time and order has been restored to the downtown space. This is still an active and ongoing investigation and we will not be able to provide details about the number of arrests or property damaged, at this time.”
Atlanta Police Department SUV on fire.
(Billy Heath/Fox 5)
Activists camped out at a planned 85-acre facility known as “Cop City” in recent days to protest the planned training facility. When Terán was shot dead after authorities tried to drive protesters off the ground on Wednesday, they vowed to continue their protests.
GEORGIA STATE SPONSOR SHOT BY PROTESTER IN ‘COP CITY’ NEAR ATLANTA
A total of seven people were arrested and charged with domestic terrorism on Wednesday.
The Atlanta Woods Scenes Twitter account called for a “Night of Rage” to enact “reciprocal violence against police and their allies,” according to one post.
Atlanta police are working urgently to clear the streets of protesters on Saturday, January 21.
(Billy Heath/Fox 5)
“Consider this as a call for reciprocal violence against the police and their allies. On Friday, January 20, wherever you are, you are invited to participate in a night of rage to honor the memory of our fallen comrade.” the group wrote on Twitter, in an apparent violation of the platform’s terms and conditions.
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This is breaking news and will be updated.
