8 arrested after DeKalb police use tear gas to break up protest
Tear gas used to keep protesters off highway
DeKalb County police arrested several demonstrators following an anti-ice protest on Chamblee Tucker Road. DeKalb leaders say the protest became unlawful and they used tear gas to try and disperse them.
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - A protest against federal immigration enforcement escalated Saturday afternoon along Chamblee Tucker Road, where police used tear gas and arrested multiple demonstrators after declaring the gathering an unlawful assembly.
What we know:
The protest, organized to oppose the Trump administration’s immigration policies and ICE operations, drew dozens of people waving flags and chanting along the road near a shopping center. The crowd soon filled the sidewalks. Demonstrators attempted to march toward Interstate 285, prompting police to intervene.
Police say that created a dangerous situation, and some protesters were marching towards the interstate ramp, so officers told the protesters to leave.
DeKalb County police say the demonstrators ignored repeated orders to stay on the sidewalk, prompting officers—many in riot gear from both DeKalb County Police and the Georgia State Patrol—to respond with crowd control measures.
The confrontation began with a flash bang before officers deployed tear gas into the crowd to force protesters off the roadway. Police declared the gathering an "unlawful assembly" and repeated their dispersal orders.
DeKalb officials reported at least eight arrests as of 5 p.m., stating the detentions and use of tear gas were meant to prevent the situation from escalating further. Witnesses, however, said arrests continued into the evening, even after demonstrators had moved away from the street and onto sidewalks.
'Unlawful' protest broken up with tear gas, arrests
Here at home several demonstrations took place across metro Atlanta. We now know DeKalb County police arrested 8 people after protesting on Chamblee Tucker Road. At some point we saw police using tear gas to break up protesters.
Around 1:45 p.m., FOX 5 reporters saw officers in riot gear shooting tear gas to break up the rally.
After police threw the gas and moved the crowd, protesters could be heard chanting, "oink, oink piggy, piggy" and "stop cop city."
The ‘stop cop city’ chant refers to a $115-million police training center in Atlanta that just opened.
Police wearing riot gear at a protest in Doraville.
Around 2:10 p.m. Saturday, FOX 5 cameras saw officers shoot another round of tear gas. This time, protesters were heard saying, "everybody do what they say, it's time to leave" over a loudspeaker. However, not everyone left.
At 6 p.m. on Saturday, FOX 5 crews saw DeKalb police loading more people into a police bus. It's unclear if these are part of the 8 people that were arrested earlier, or if DKPD arrested more people.
Dig deeper:
This is just one protest that took place throughout Georgia on Saturday.
Protests labeled "No Kings" rallies are taking place across metro Atlanta as part of a national day of action against the Trump administration.
Related: 'No Kings' Day rallies in protest of Trump taking place across metro Atlanta
DeKalb police use tear gas at Doraville immigration protest
Officers used the gas multiple times to move protesters.
At least 5,000 people gathered outside the Georgia State Capitol today in one of the protests.
Other Georgia cities participating include Tucker, McDonough, Fayetteville, Athens, Valdosta, and Woodstock, with events organized by Indivisible, 50501 Movement, and Stand Up America.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp warned that while peaceful protests are protected, any violence against law enforcement during Saturday's ‘No Kings’ rallies will bring "quick and heavy accountability."
What they're saying:
"A lot of people from Mexico and from different countries are coming here to get a better job, better life for their kids and better life for everybody," said protester Alexa Cortez. "But Trump doesn't want nobody here."
"I reminded them that all of the people here are young—and they're their children. These guys are older guys," protester Leo Ponn said. "And they told me, ‘Get behind the line or they’re going to throw me in the car.’ Seriously? I'm just a guy."
Protesters gather by the hundreds in Doraville.
The other side:
"The right to protest is fundamental and respected in DeKalb County," said CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. "But when a protest shifts from peaceful and law-abiding to one that threatens public safety and disregards lawful orders, I trust our officers to respond appropriately. Our duty is to protect both the rights of individuals and the wellbeing of the broader community."
What we don't know:
Police have not said the exact charges the protesters face.
The Source: Information from this article came from FOX 5 cameras on the scene and a press release written by the DeKalb County Government. The article was updated from its original state to add information about arrests.