A group of protesters gathered in downtown Atlanta Friday night to demonstrate against police brutality. The protest came in the wake of the Friday night release of a Memphis police video that shows the beating of a Black man by police officers in that city.
Elsewhere, protesters gathered in a park near the White House, in Memphis and other cities as the video was released.
The Jan. 7 confrontation in Memphis between Tyre Nichols and officers was followed three days later by Nichols’ death. Charges against all five now-former officers were announced this week.
One protester, Payton from Kennesaw, told WSB: “The threat from (Governor) Brian Kemp about potentially deploying the National Guard, that scared a lot of people. But we’re out here to show that it’s not domestic terrorism, it’s a protest.”
In Atlanta Friday night, protesters gathered near the CNN Center around Centennial Olympic Park. WSB Radio’s Veronica Waters reports there were five to six dozen demonstrators who said they were with the Party for Socialism and Liberation. Signs and chants included “Justice for Tyre Nichols,” “Jail Killer Cops,” and “Stop Cop City.” The gathering was peaceful.
Earlier this week, Kemp declared a state of emergency to run 15 days, in the wake of deadly gunfire at the proposed Atlanta police training facility site, followed by a violent protest a few days later.
WSB Radio’s Jonathan O’Brien also on the scene near Centennial Olympic Park described a peaceful demonstration. One protester said their group is pushing for police to be disarmed, disbanded and defunded.
Ahead of Friday night’s Memphis PD video release, metro Atlanta law enforcement agencies were preparing for any protests tied to the incident and video release.
Stay with WSB Radio for updates.