35 Arrested After Attacking Officers at Site of Proposed Atlanta Training Facility

Police arrested 35 people after a "coordinated attack" on the proposed site of the new Atlanta Public Safety Training Center.

The Details: Police said people threw "large rocks, bricks, Molotov cocktails, and fireworks at police officers," and set fire to cars and equipment. Footage published by the Atlanta Police Department shows a crowd of people, many dressed in black or camouflage and wearing face coverings, attack the site and throw apparent fireworks and other objects at police officers. No officers were injured. The attack reportedly followed a peaceful "Stop Cop City" demonstration and concert nearby.

For Context: The $90 million site, dubbed "Copy City" by opponents, covers 85 acres of woodland near Atlanta, which some environmental activists object to. In January, an activist was shot and killed by a Georgia state trooper after allegedly shooting him near the site.

Balanced Quotes: "Violent agitators used the cover of a peaceful protest" to conduct "a coordinated attack on construction equipment and police officers," said the Atlanta Police Department. Defend the Atlanta Forest tweeted that those arrested were "peaceful concert goers who were nowhere near the demonstration." The Atlanta Solidarity Fund tweeted, "The first amendment doesn't go away when a single person sets a fire."

How the Media Covered It: Georgia outlets and some national sources across the spectrum highlighted the news Monday. Some left-rated sources focused on activists concerned that the facility could enable more "police militarization." Right-rated sources often focused more on details of the attack.