Though Mostly Peaceful, Demonstration in Atlanta Leads to Over 20 Arrests Tuesday

Atlanta residents upset over a Ferguson, MO grand jury’s decision not to indict a white police officer for shooting and killing an unarmed black teenager in August made their presence felt in a mostly peaceful manner on Tuesday, although some arrests were reported.

WSB-TV had a helicopter over the scene for roughly 8 hours Tuesday, beginning at around 3 p.m. when the protesters gathered at Underground Atlanta. The demonstration in support of slain Ferguson teen Michael Brown and against perceived racism and police brutality seemed to progress without incident until a group of some 50 to 60 people broke away from the main body at Underground Atlanta.

The helicopter’s camera rolled as the splinter group blocked traffic on the downtown connector at interstates 75 and 85. Some protesters darted in and out of traffic, while others attempted to create a human wall to impede cars. Atlanta police worked quickly to move the protesters off the highway and on to side streets.

Atlanta Police Chief George Turner said during a Tuesday evening press conference that authorities had arrested 21 people during the protests. Turner added that damage had been reported to several businesses and at least one taxi cab, which had its back window smashed in with the news chopper recording from above.

Turner said during the press conference that the people destroying property and acting unruly should not be confused with the peaceful demonstrators availing themselves of their First Amendment rights to protest against unfair conditions.