The eruption of protests in Atlanta is stirring up mixed emotions among local government officials, activists, onlookers and protesters.
For six days, large crowds of people have gathered in downtown Atlanta and across the world demanding justice for George Floyd and countless other unarmed African American men and women who have died at the hands of police officers.
Over the weekend, after some people defaced the CNN Center, vandalized neighboring businesses and set fire to multiple law enforcement cars, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said she understands the frustration that many feel. But while showing empathy, she emphasized that destructive protests that produce chaos must stop.
Devin Barrington-Ward, who serves as the managing director of the Black Futurists Group, says it’s essential for protests to be organized, but the killing of black people has to stop.
He also says that it’s vital for local government officials to respond to protesters in the way of reforms, not with more policing.
“The aggression was not coming from us. The aggression came at the hands of law enforcement,” Barrington-Ward said.
On Tuesday, Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard charged six Atlanta police officers who are accused of using excessive force in the arrest of a young college couple.
On Wednesday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Barrington-Ward, who recently took part in a peaceful protest at the Georgia governor’s mansion, told the show’s host, Rose Scott, that demonstrations are necessary to create long-lasting change.
“I believe that the uprisings that are taking place in the country and across the world are what we need in order to have the future that we all deserve,” explained Barrington-Ward.
During the conversation, he also discussed the complex layers of protesting and how protests can be used to create long-lasting change.
Barrington-Ward also shared why he feels local government officials use the history of Atlanta’s civil rights movement to ignore the current concerns of young people.
Guest:
- Devin Barrington-Ward, community organizer and managing director of the Black Futurists Group
To listen to the full conversation, please click the audio player above.
