Crime & Safety

Midtown march against police violence results in arrests

'March Against Police Violence' protest results in five arrests for reported charges of obstruction of traffic; obstruction of an officer; and wearing a mask or hood

Update: June 28, 3 p.m.

The Friday night arrests in Midtown were apparently surrounding a Facebook event called the ‘March Against Police Violence’ and not an Occupy Atlanta event as originally suggested by a spokesperson with the Atlanta Police Department.

The rally “against state repression” was reportedly in response to three males who were shot by police in and around Atlanta within a 36 hour period late last month; as well as an act of solidarity for the protests ongoing in Anaheim, Calif., concerning a pair of police killings last weekend.

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On June 27, a Clayton County Police officer responding to a burglary in progress, shot and killed a 13-year-old boy who he thought was carrying a weapon. Later that day, a 38-year-old man who was considered a fugitive by Mississippi authorities was shot and killed by Atlanta police at the Mall West End. The next day, a man was shot twice in the chest by DeKalb police responding to a domestic dispute.

The group’s Facebook page reads:

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Police continue to run rampant in Atlanta. Even Luther "Machine Gun" Lewis, the murderer of Ariston Waiters, has been acquitted by farcical state courts. In 36 hours, three unarmed youths were murdered in Atlanta. In Anaheim, California, police have gone on a killing spree, leaving two men dead. The people of Anaheim have responded in kind by bravely facing rubber bullets and police dogs in now their 5th day of rioting. We won't stand by. We will stand up. July 27th, take the streets back. Meet up at 8 in Piedmont park for a speak out to kick off our march. Bring your boom box, dress in black.

It is unknown as to how many attended the rally. Patch is currently awaiting to see the police report.

A YouTube video detailing the event was posted on July 20 and had received 129 views as of Saturday, July 28. It states: "Everyone hates the cops. So there's going to be a march against them." The video can be viewed here

Original Story

Atlanta police arrested five people on reported charges of obstruction of traffic; obstruction of an officer; and wearing a mask or hood in Midtown Friday night after they were allegedly throwing trash and trash cans on the ground and street near Piedmont Park.

“It is believed they were with Occupy Atlanta,’’ APD spokesman Sgt. Curtis Davenport told Patch.

Witnesses reported approximately 15 police cars with blue lights flashing but without sirens blaring descending upon the scene near 11th Street around 8 p.m. It is not exactly known at this time what was being protested.

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Elsewhere in Midtown Friday, a UPS package delivered to a Myrtle Street residence was opened and burglarized between 5:30 and 7 p.m. The suspect(s) went through the contents of the package on the home's porch stairs, stole one leather Coach wallet, while leaving the silver earrings with the package contents on the ground.  

The incident was reported to the Atlanta police.


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