Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Police Chief George Turner spoke this morning about last nights’ protests in Downtown Atlanta in the wake of the grand jury decision on the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO.
According to our media affiliate CBS46, 24 people were arrested after store windows were broken and other damage was done in the city. Only seven of those people lived in the city of Atlanta. Most of those people were charged with disorderly conduct.
More than 1,000 people protested peacefully, but a small faction of those people took over the Downtown Connector, where both Atlanta Police and the Georgia State Patrol made arrests. The mayor promised arrests would be made if protesters go onto the interstate.
“We are not going to tolerate our Downtown Connector to be interfered with,” Reed said. “If you move toward the Connector, you will be arrested.”
Reed thanked the protestors that conducted themselves peacefully. He also thanked the officers for allowing the protestors to demonstrate in a safe environment. Reed said he was unhappy with media coverage of last night’s protests. Two journalists were arrested for obstruction during the evening.
