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Atlanta: Black dies in police operation – sparked new protests against racism in 2020
The death of a black man after a police operation in the US state of Georgia has sparked protests against racism and police violence in the United States.
At night, a fast-food restaurant in the capital, Atlanta, was on fire – on Friday evening, a white policeman shot down 27-year-old Rashard Brooks on Friday evening. Local media reported that at least 36 people were arrested in protests.
The death of African American George Floyd in a brutal police operation in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25 has stirred up the United States and sparked a heated debate about police violence and racism. This may also explain why there were personnel consequences less than 24 hours later after the police operation in Atlanta. Police chief Erika Shields resigned. The officer who shot was fired. Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms had previously requested this and openly expressed doubts about the proportionality of the police operation: “I don’t think this was a justified use of lethal violence.” The second officer was suspended temporarily.
The two police officers were called to a fast-food restaurant late Friday evening. There, a man in the car queue fell asleep in a car and hindered other vehicles, said the GBI Criminal Police Office in Georgia. The 27-year-old, who was sitting in the car, did not pass a subsequent sobriety test. He should be taken into custody. Then there was a fight. Witnesses told the GBI investigators that the man had taken one of the policemen’s stun gun.
Then a short chase took place – on foot, in the parking lot: GBI boss Vic Reynolds explained that on video footage it could be seen that the man was fleeing from the officers, then turned around with the taser in his hand and the policeman then draw and fire his service weapon. US media showed various videos of the attempted arrest – the New York Times reconstructed the process. The officer fired three shots.
According to the GBI, the 27-year-old died in a hospital after an operation. The agency agreed to quickly collect all the facts and pass them on to the public prosecutor. GBI boss Reynolds warned of rash conclusions – and referred to the heated mood in the country. “I don’t want anyone to rush to some form of the judgment under any circumstances, which is very easy on both sides in these cases,” he said. Investigators are aware that in such cases there are “enormous feelings” involved and this is exacerbated by the current situation. The prosecutor had to assess whether it was justified that the police officer shot.
In a statement regarding her resignation offer, former police chief Shields wrote: “It is time for the city to move forward and build trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.” She had been lauded after George Floyd’s death for her clear stance against police violence and crackdown on Atlanta officials who were accused of assault.
The lawyers in the family of the killed Brooks said the police officers involved had other options than shooting him down. A taser is not a deadly weapon. “If the official had been a bit more sensitive and less anxious, we probably wouldn’t have had a dead client to complain about,” said lawyer Justin Miller. The 27-year-old had four children. He wanted to celebrate his little daughter’s birthday on Saturday. Republican Senator Tim Scott believes police operations in Atlanta are more difficult to evaluate than in George Floyd’s case.
After death, there were protests not only in front of the fast-food restaurant in Atlanta, according to media reports. For example, demonstrators blocked a nearby highway and caused traffic chaos there. The police also used tear gas and stun grenades against the protesters, CNN reports.
Police violence and racism have been the focus of public debate in the United States since Floyd’s death. In the meantime, protests in several cities led to fires and looting, and curfews were issued in some places. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly stressed the right to peaceful protests but has also called for a tough line from the forces. He also advocates strengthening the police authorities. The protests, on the other hand, are increasingly finding demands for “defunding” the police and for reallocating funds for social projects.
Three weeks ago, a white police officer had pressed his knee behind Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes, despite repeated requests to let him breathe. A video of the killing is now world-famous. His words “I Can’t Breathe” have become the epitome of unequal treatment. The policeman and three colleagues involved in the operation were released, arrested, and charged. Floyd was arrested on suspicion of paying with a false $ 20 bill.
The demonstrations have been largely peaceful for days, but have not stopped. In many places, many people took to the streets again at weekends. On Sunday, protesters in Washington also wanted to take Trump’s birthday as an opportunity to promote the election of the president in the November 3 election. There have also been protests against racism and police violence outside the United States, such as in Australia, Great Britain, France, and Germany.
Saira Munsif Masters in chemistry and education from hazara University. I’m a professional articles and blogs writer, have written dozens of content on different topics and worked with professionals all over the glob. Feel free to contact me for any assistance. sairamunsif8@gmail.com