Right, armed with fireworks,
rocks, baltov cocktails,
and other device and launched a
coordinated criminal attack against
officers there were with that location.
The officers adjusted quickly
to ensure their safety,
held the position until additional
officers arrived from the cab county
from the Georgia State Patrol,
and then moved back in to make arrest
into into the area during that attack
on the officers a piece of equipment
and other items that were at the
location for the construction of
the public Safety Training Center.
Were damaged and we're continuing
to assess that.
Now since that attack on our officers,
we've been joined by the Sandy
Springs Police Department as well
as the sheriff of Fulton County,
the Cap county and obviously the State
Patrol and arrests have been made
in the area and detentions actually
continue as we speak at this time.
And another individuals are in custody.
We have been joined by the Georgia
Bureau of Investigation as well
as the FBI and we are making the
appropriate charges as we speak.
Actions such as this will not be tolerated.
When you attack law enforcement officers,
when you damage equipment,
you are breaking the law.
And this was a very violent
attack that occurred this evening,
very violent attack.
And this wasn't about a public
safety training center.
This was about anarchy and this was
about the attempt to destabilize and it.
We are addressing that quickly.
And I want to thank our partners,
some of which are here with me tonight,
the chief Decab County Chief
Ramos and Chief of Sandy Springs
Police Department chief,
someone for their assistance,
as well as the Georgia State Patrol
and the Sheriff of Fulton County.
We will have more information
tomorrow on who we've arrested.
Where they are from and the charges
that have been brought against them,
I can tell you just looking
at the initial reports,
we continue to see a number of
individuals not from Atlanta,
GA that are present tonight
undertaking criminal activities to
destabilize the construction of a
fire and police training center.
Chief, was any of you people injured?
No. We were very fortunate
because of the quick actions
of the commanders on scene.
No police officers were were injured.
I believe we have released the
video of that coordinated attack
on the officers then followed by
destruction of the equipment.
We are very fortunate tonight
and for the quick action of the
officers not only to reposition
themselves but immediately to
go back into the woods and start
making arrests of the individuals.
I am very proud of them and with
the Atlanta Police Department and
our partners from DeKalb County
and the Georgia State Patrol.
Their actions this evening.
Any of the protesters injured, we had
to use less lethal actions to take
some individuals into custody.
The restraint of our officers
were very noteworthy.
Some minor discomforts were
reported and they are being seen
after by a medical authorities
that are at the staging area.
During the downtown protest.
I'm asking again tonight,
are these protesters that you guys are
dealing with or rioters at this point?
This is not a protest.
I think that that last press
conference I made a clear distinction
what a protest looks like.
When is a legitimate protest?
You have the full protection of
the Atlanta Police Department.
This is not a this is criminal activity.
And the charges that will be
brought forth will show that
when you throw commercial grade.
Fireworks when you throw them on
top of cocktails, large rocks.
A number of items that officers
you're only intent is to harm.
And the charges are going to
show that tonight when we make
the appropriate charges,
how many more questions we we have
detained over 30 at this point
and the appropriate charges are
being worked out as we consult
with our the prosecutors right
here in the cab county as well
as the Attorney General's Office
from the State of Georgia.
So there's been, you know, talk on,
on, on social media, on the Internet,
that they are asking people to come
and celebrate this music festival.
Are you bringing in extra manpower,
court said to monitor this this week or what?
What are you guys doing to
make sure that these are safe?
You know, we're making the necessary
adjustments to assure this city is safe
and that this project continues forth.
What we saw was a significant
escalation tonight, both in the level
of violence that was brought forth,
in the number of individuals that
chose to undertake the violent attack.
The adjustment of law enforcement will be.
Just as equal to ensure that
this doesn't continue and that
citizens can peacefully protest.
But chroma activity will
not be tolerated in Atlanta,
nor tolerated in connection
with this project.
Now, while we were on scene,
we thought there were a few moments
where you we've heard some gunfire.
Was there any gunfire exchange either
by officers or by the protesters?
We're not aware of any gunfire, man.
We know they were firing fireworks
for up till very recently and so
that's probably something that you
may have heard. Music Festival
is properly permitted, of course.
With how long ago was it
planned out and permitted?
I I cannot speak to that, Sir.
I'm not working everybody.