Crime & Safety
Arrests Made During Police Shootings Protest in Buckhead
A fifth straight night of protests led to a sit-in outside the governor's mansion until Mayor Kasim Reed arrived.
Atlanta, GA — Hundreds of people converged on Lenox Square Monday night, as a fifth straight night of protests over recent police shootings nationwide was held in Atlanta.
Unlike previous nights, this protest was held in Atlanta's upscale Buckhead community, home to one of the city's most prosperous shopping districts. The previous rallies had been held in downtown Atlanta.
At 4 p.m., the city of Atlanta issued a statement that said municipal ordinances, including closing times of 11 p.m., would be enforced at all city parks.
Find out what's happening in Buckheadfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Around 8:30 pm, WSB-TV reported that several people had been arrested as protesters marched down Peachtree Street, directly in front of Lenox Square.
They just grabbed a ton of folks for nothing. No warning, no order. #ATLisReady pic.twitter.com/HJtXzmsxIv
— Jim Chambers (@jccfergie) July 12, 2016
APD arrested a few protesters and moved everyone to the sidewalk. #AtlIsReady #ATLProtest Lenox Mall Buckhead pic.twitter.com/Cw7XapAsAL
— Torraine Walker (@TorraineWalker) July 12, 2016
The protest began around 7 p.m., according to Fox 5, at the Lenox Square MARTA station. MARTA security reportedly asked the protesters to move, and that's when the crowd moved closer to the mall and then into the Peachtree and Piedmont road intersections. That's where the arrests began.
Find out what's happening in Buckheadfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Arrested for biking in the street. #ATLisReady pic.twitter.com/oWtl3PeUKA
— Jim Chambers (@jccfergie) July 12, 2016
Shutting down Peachtree. #AtlIsReady #ATLProtest Lenox Mall Buckhead pic.twitter.com/V9p4IPkCUP
— Torraine Walker (@TorraineWalker) July 12, 2016
Cops. Protesters. Not sure why they can't go down these sidewalks in particular...#ATLisReady pic.twitter.com/f3pOLCc4pk
— Regina Tweeta (@regina_tweeta) July 12, 2016
Protesters also moved through Buckhead onto West Paces Ferry Road in front of the governor's mansion and a large police presence.
Police have West Paces Ferry blocked. A lot of old white money here. #AtlIsReady #ATLProtest Lenox Mall Buckhead pic.twitter.com/JFQrEoCjZY
— Torraine Walker (@TorraineWalker) July 12, 2016
The protesters began a sit-in outside the home of Gov. Nathan Deal around 10 p.m., reported the AJC. They remained there until Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed arrived around 11:30. In a meeting with some organizers that lasted about an hour, Reed said he would meet with organizers next Monday after a “a cooling off period.”
Reed: We spent 45 minutes having a meeting with four "very bright" #ATLisReady protesters. "We need a cooling off period." #ATLprotest
— Max Blau (@MaxBlau) July 12, 2016
Earlier on Monday, Reed said officers have been subjected to insults and obscenities during the protests, and in some instances, had water bottles thrown at them.
Reed said officers and support staff have worked about 6,000 hours in overtime since the protests began.
The only protester arrests prior to Monday came on Sunday night.
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