Protesters Disrupt Smyrna-Area Restaurants After Police Shooting

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Protesters entered several Smyrna and Vinings-area restaurants on Sunday afternoon in an attempt to disrupt the atmosphere in the wake of an officer-involved shooting of a black man in Vinings.

According to WSB-TV, the protesters’ stated goal was to interfere with “traditionally white” areas and remind them that racism still exists in the so-called “post-racial America.” Customers and management say the protesters missed the mark with their disruptive demonstrations.

Another Broken Egg Cafe, Paces and Vine, and Canoe all received visits from the protesters during brunch, causing enough disruption that at least two customers allegedly left without paying, WSB-TV said. The station reported that some children were frightened and crying due to the demonstrations.

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Last week, 25-year-old Nicholas Thomas was shot and killed at Goodyear Tire where he worked inside the Vinings Crossing shopping center after police serving an arrest warrant on him said he drove a vehicle he was servicing towards them in a threatening manner.

Smyrna police chief David Lee said in the days following the shooting that Cobb County Police and the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office will handle the investigation into the shooting, with Smyrna police conducting their own internal probe. Lee said he spoke with civil rights leaders to assure them that the investigation would be fair and impartial.