Community Corner

UPDATED: Atlanta Police Arrest 19 Protesters

Replay our live coverage of Saturday night's Occupy Atlanta protest and march.

The Atlanta Police Department arrested 19 people during Saturday night's protest.

APD Public Affairs Manager Carlos Campos said those who were arrested "refused to leave Woodruff Park after the 11 p.m. closing time or impeded Peachtree Street and other city roads by blocking them and not allowing police to open them to normal traffic."

Another person who allegedly assaulted a motorcycle patrol officer was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and obstruction, Campos said.

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"Mayor Kasim Reed was clear earlier this week in his public statements that the city would arrest any persons who violated the law," said Police Chief George Turner. "Our officers professionally and efficiently made arrests as authorized by State laws and city ordinances."

Protestors attempted to retake in downtown  Saturday night, but a strong presence by Atlanta police ended the protest.

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However, as Woodruff Park was barricaded by police after its official 11 pm closing, protestors took to Peachtree Street, marching as far south as Walton Street.

"Before any arrests were made, people in the park were given several warnings over a loudspeaker, in English and Spanish, that anyone remaining in the park after the 11 p.m. closing time would be in violation of city ordinances," Campos said. "Warnings were given to people in Woodruff Park after 11:00 pm. They were also given to people blocking city roads, making it unsafe to open the roads for vehicular travel."

East Atlanta Patch Editor Péralte Paul was on the scene throughout the evening, reporting as protestors engaged in a sometimes-tense standoff with police, many of whom were in full riot gear and others on horseback.

The protest all but ended around 12:30 am Sunday morning.


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