Downtown protests against Atlanta police training center continue

Protesters reiterate their concerns about the new Atlanta Police Department training facility in DeKalb County.

Elizabeth Rawlins of Channel 2 was at Woodruff Park where protesters gathered after taking to the streets on Wednesday afternoon.

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There were a lot of police officers in the city center, people were holding banners and handing out pamphlets.

Demonstrators have been in conflict with Georgia law enforcement for more than a year over a proposed police and fire training center planned to be built in an urban forest on the south side of Atlanta and DeKalb County. Protests have become more violent recently following the death of a protester who, according to the GBI, shot and seriously injured a Georgia State Patrolman earlier this year.

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Over the weekend, protesters threw fireworks and Molotov cocktails at police officers guarding the area and set fire to construction vehicles. Twenty-three people were arrested, most of whom were charged with domestic terrorism.

Opponents say the training center will destroy one of the largest urban forests in the country and help militarize the police force. Supporters insist that this will give officers the space they need to learn and the tools they need to better interact with the company.

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The brochures that protesters handed out on Wednesday urged Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens to cancel the lease and also urged companies they believe are “disrespectful” of the community.

“I think all together we need to come together and come to some kind of compromise,” Shanna supporter James said.

Eva Ramirez said her friend was one of those arrested over the weekend.

The story goes on

“During this process, she was electrocuted and arrested, and is now being charged with domestic terrorism,” Ramirez said. “Right now we’re just trying to cover as much coverage as possible.”

On Tuesday, a judge denied bail to all but one of the protesters arrested over the weekend.

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