Demonstrators March to Cumberland Mall, Hold "Die-in"

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A group of protesters has assembled at Cumberland Mall to demonstrate against the alleged police brutality which took the lives of Freddie Gray, Smyrna resident Nicholas Thomas, and other young black men in recent months.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, around 50 protesters assembled at Jonquil Park and marched to Cumberland Mall, then lay down on the floor of the mall in a “die-in” demonstration. One of the organizers of the march told the AJC the demonstration was an act of solidarity with those in Baltimore outraged over the death of Freddie Gray.

Protesters are also demonstrating against the March killing of a man by Smyrna police; on March 24, Nicholas Thomas was shot and killed by police outside the Goodyear Tire on Cumberland Parkway while they attempted to serve an arrest warrant against him. Police say Thomas was using a white Maserati as a weapon against the officers, but an attorney for Thomas’ family doubts the official account and wants more information from police.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been called in to fully examine the details of Thomas’ killing.