May 30, 2020
Atlanta City Council Releases Statement Following Friday’s EventsATLANTA
The Atlanta City Council released the following statement in response to the events that occurred Friday night: “Although we represent different districts, we are a reflection of one great city – the city of Atlanta. There are times such as today when it’s imperative that we speak as one Council with one voice. The actions of certain individuals following the peaceful demonstration that occurred on Friday were not a reflection of what we are as a city.
The ability to protest and organize is a fundamental right and one that can create lasting change. There are rightfully shared emotions of grief, anger, and pain following the deaths of George Floyd and other African Americans who unjustly lost their lives because of the actions of law enforcement. While there are clear and deserving reasons for people to protest, damaging property, breaking windows, and setting fires are not a part of Atlanta’s fabric and that behavior cannot be condoned.
We want to express our gratitude toward Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, the Atlanta Police Department, Chief Erika Shields, EMS staff, Atlanta Fire Rescue, Chief Randall Slaughter, and state and other officials for their response and resilience and for their assistance in de-escalating the tensions during the events from Friday night.
As representatives of the residents of the city of Atlanta, we’re here to help administer change. We’ll continue to be open, accessible, and responsive to the concerns of the constituents in our respective districts. The contact information for each Council member is available on our website.
When we work together, we show that we’re a strong and compassionate city, especially in the face of crisis and heartache. We must always be empathetic toward the needs of the people of our city. The events that happened Friday night were a flashpoint in our city’s history, and we must continue to work hard, collaborate, and make the right kind of effort to move our city ahead.”
NPU-W - City of Atlanta 