ATLANTA — As hundreds of protesters walked the streets of Atlanta with signs, calling for justice and peace for a ninth night Saturday, demonstrators told Channel 2’s Audrey Washington that they plan to keep it peaceful and return for weeks to come.
Whether it was in their expressions or in their dance, it was clear peace flowed throughout downtown Atlanta on Saturday night.
It was a much different scene from just last week when tear gas, confusion and smoke filled the air.
So what changed? Many say new charges in the George Floyd case played a major part.
“I would like to see covert racism to be acknowledged,” a protester told Washington earlier in the day at a protest involving people from Atlanta’s historically black colleges and universities.
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Atlanta attorney Gerald Griggs said although there’s been progress, there is still more to get done.
“Until there is systemic change in Atlanta and the state of Georgia, you will still see protests because it’s bigger than George Floyd,” Griggs said.
Actor and rapper, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges agreed.
“Anyone who signed up with us for this fight, be prepared to do it for more than 401 years, and that’s all I have to say,” Bridges said.
While at several protests throughout the city, people made their demands plain: They want the police officers involved in the killing of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, charged.
Also, they want more police oversight and drug testing, especially for officers with a history of brutality complaints.
“Until there is change, legislative change, they will be in the streets,” Griggs said.
It’s important to mention that the mayor lifted the 8 p.m. curfew for Saturday night, which meant significantly fewer police around.
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