In Georgia, there was a skirmish between police and protesters: dozens of people were arrested

Dozens of people have been detained following violent clashes between police and protesters at the site of the future Public Safety Training Center in Atlanta, nicknamed "Police City" by critics. Fox5.

Photo: IStock

On the evening of March 5, police reported that the DeKalb County construction site was on lockdown as crews worked to put out fires in the area.

In total, the Atlanta Police Department said it had detained 35 "agitators." It is not known what charges they may face.
Around 17:30 p.m. on March 5, officials say dozens of protesters left the nearby South River Music Festival, dressed in black and entered the site of a controversial training center suspected by police.

On the subject: In Georgia, a forest of genetically modified trees was planted: they must save the world from the greenhouse effect

"It was a very brutal attack," Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said near the scene.

A video released by the Atlanta police shows what appears to be fireworks aimed at officers. The same video shows objects including rocks and Molotov cocktails being thrown at police by protesters, an overturned vehicle that later caught fire, and protesters attempting to set fire to other pieces of construction equipment.

Schierbaum called the incident "a coordinated criminal attack on officers".

“Such actions are unacceptable. When you attack law enforcement officers, when you damage equipment, you are breaking the law,” Schirbaum said.

With support from numerous agencies, the Atlanta police headed into the woods and detained at least 35 people. Their names and hometowns will be published.

Like the article? Support ForumDaily!?

Late on the evening of March 5, the Atlanta Police released the following statement:

“On March 5, 2023, a group of violent agitators used the cover of a peaceful protest against the proposed Atlanta Public Safety Training Center to launch a coordinated attack on construction equipment and police officers. They changed into black clothes, entered the construction site and started throwing large stones, bricks, Molotov cocktails and fireworks at the police.

Agitators destroyed several units of construction equipment. Several squads of law enforcement agencies arrived at the scene and detained several people who were engaged in illegal activities. At the moment, 35 agitators have been detained.

Illegal actions of agitators could lead to bodily harm. The officers exercised restraint and made arrests.

As protests are planned for the coming days, the Atlanta Police Department, in collaboration with law enforcement partners, has developed a multi-layered strategy that includes response and arrest. The Atlanta Police Department asks that this week's protests remain peaceful."

As protesters promise a "week of action" against the training ground, police say they will step up patrols to prevent what they call an escalation of violence.

“Criminal activity will not be allowed in Atlanta or in connection with this project,” Schierbaum said.

None of the officers were injured during the skirmish. Several protesters were slightly injured when officers said they used "non-lethal" force against the group.

What is the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center?

The proposed training center for police and firefighters will cost $90 million. In addition to classrooms and administration buildings, the training center will include a shooting range, a driving course for practicing chases, and a "burn building" where firefighters will put out fires. A "false village" will also be built with a fake house, a convenience store and a nightclub so that the authorities can rehearse the raids.

The site is owned by the city of Atlanta but is located just outside the city limits in unincorporated DeKalb County and includes a former state prison farm.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants, and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New Y.

Police officials say the modern campus will boost police morale, which has faced hiring struggles and problems following violent protests against racial injustice since the death of George Floyd in 2020.

Opponents of the training center have been protesting since 2021, building platforms in the surrounding trees and setting up camps at the site. They say that the project, which will be implemented by the Atlanta Police Foundation, involves cutting down so many trees that it will damage the environment. Many activists also oppose spending so much money on a police station that will be surrounded by poor black-dominated neighborhoods in a city with one of the highest levels of wealth inequality in the country.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Social Security Number and Immigrants: Who Needs an SSN and Why, and How to Get One

Winter storm in California: people are trapped under a 3-meter layer of snow without food and help

Nobel laureate from Belarus sentenced to 10 years in prison for criticizing the authorities

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.