One individual was arrested for throwing spoiled meat at Atlanta police officers during a protest against the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center on Wednesday, the Atlanta Police Department (APD) announced in a press release.
The Atlanta City Council approved the training center in September 2021, and it has been a source of controversy ever since.
On Wednesday morning, according to APD, protesters gathered in the area of 1349 West Peachtree ST NW to protest outside of Cadence Bank, which, according to Fox 5 Atlanta, “loaned money to the Atlanta Police Foundation to help build the public safety training center.”
As protesters were “advised to leave the bank property and remain on the public sidewalk,” according to APD, “one demonstrator dumped a bag of spoiled meat onto the steps of the property.”
Several protesters then began to pick up the spoiled meat and throw it in the direction of police officers.
“Officers were able to locate one of the individuals who threw spoiled meat and took her into custody. She has been identified as 27-year-old Aidan Wood from Lansing, Michigan. She was charged with Obstruction and Simple Assault and taken to the Fulton County Jail,” APD wrote in its press release.
Wednesday’s demonstration was part of a string of protests planned by activists this week opposed to the training center in unincorporated DeKalb County, dubbed ‘cop city.’
On Twitter, Defend the Atlanta Forest announced a “Week of Action” would take place from June 24-July 1 in the Atlanta area to protest against the training center.
Atlanta Police Department's Statement on "Week of Action". https://t.co/lN7EcZ2MZ0 pic.twitter.com/No0a48yQGS
— Atlanta Police Department (@Atlanta_Police) June 28, 2023
In preparation for the group’s planned protests, APD wrote in a Facebook post, “The Atlanta Police Department respects, supports, and upholds the First Amendment rights of all citizens and those in Atlanta to assemble, speak, and engage in peaceful protest. At the same time, we must ensure compliance with our city ordinances and a safe public environment for all residents and visitors.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Georgia Star News and The Star News Network.
Photo “Atlanta Public Safety Training Center” by atltrainingcenter.com.
