Atlanta Ferguson Solidarity Committee condemns police, not property destruction

The Atlanta Ferguson protesters shut down the traffic, vandalized some vehicles, and busted windows at several downtown businesses Tuesday night while marching through the city, prompting several arrests. On Wednesday, the organizers of the protests, the Atlanta-Ferguson Solidarity Committee, released a defiant statement critical of Atlanta police but full of praise for the demonstrators.

"As organizers of last night’s march in solidarity with protesters in Ferguson, MO, we would like to express our utmost thanks and awe to all of the brave people who showed up and put their safety on the line," said the statement posted on atlfergusonsolidarity.wordpress.com/. "While we did not necessarily plan for the group to march onto the downtown connector, we are pleased to have participated in this historical moment. We also would urge others to consider why demonstrators in LA, NYC, St Louis, Seattle, Ferguson, and elsewhere have chosen the same tactic. While some have chosen to highlight the vandalism and clashes with police in Atlanta last night, we would like to urge everyone to remember that Michael Brown’s life can never be replaced – unlike some broken windows.

"We condemn the militarization of the police at last nights protest, and at the use of force by supposed 'nonviolent' demonstrators against angry, frustrated youth in the crowd."

The group is protesting the grand jury decision to not press charges against white Police Officer Darren Wilson who shot an unarmed black teenager Michael Brown on August 4th, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.  

In several cities across the country, such as Los Angeles and New York, protesters engaged in some property destruction and vandalism, forcing police to get involved.

In Atlanta, some protesters smashed windows at several downtown businesses, among them the Meehan's Public House in Buckhead. Meehan's manager said some in the group apologized and others laughed and took "selfies" in front of the restaurant.  Also, few vehicles were vandalized as the protesters marched, including taxi and police cars.  Clearly, the organizers of the group saw nothing wrong with this behavior.

During a Wednesday press conference, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed waed the demonstrators that police officers would get involved if protesters break laws.

"Don’t be mad at the police for preventing you from destroying other people’s property, said Reed. ”When Dr. Martin Luther King and Ambassador Andrew Young and Ralph David Abeathy marched they did it in a highly coordinated process.  They didn’t just go run on the freeway.

This situation underscores media reports that Ferguson protesters all across the country divide into three groups: peaceful activists, causal spectators, and violent rioters looking for an opportunity to raise havoc.  

The Wednesday protests in Atlanta were more peaceful and included about 50 demonstrators.  There were no reports of protests on Thanksgiving Day.