Two men. One Black. One White. They join hands hoisted into the air as a sign of solidarity. They fly a flag too that reads “Black Lives Matter”. But, this was definitely the calm before the storm.
The flag waving men were standing atop the huge red CNN letters that sit outside the news conglomerate building in Atlanta. The letters were sprayed with various graffiti. The windows of the building became targets for bottles and bricks.
The same items were thrown into the air at police as well.
“We were here peacefully protesting”, said one woman. She added, “this has just gotten out of hand.”
Lines of police stood as barricades.
“You have to lock your arms like this”, is what some were heard whispering throughout the massive crowd. It was as if they were planning to mount a challenge.
Looting was reported at Lenox Mall in Buckhead. Several stores were hit.
An hour later, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms went on local television to strongly encourage the protesters to “go home.” She was joined by native businessmen and rap artists T.I. and Killer Mike. Local activist and Radio.com talk show host Derrick Boazman pleaded “this isn’t the way to make change happen.”
The mayor and Police Chief Erika Shields say they will hold a news conference about the looting and violence Saturday.