Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency on Thursday in Georgia and called in the National Guard in response to violent anti-police protests and riots by radical leftist groups in Atlanta.
Kemp referred to "unlawful assembly, violence, threats, disturbance of the peace and tranquility of this state and existing danger to persons and property" as reasons for the state of emergency, which will expire on Feb. 9 and allowed him to mobilize up to 1,000 National Guard agents.
Kemp's order comes after incidents involving groups such as Antifa, which on Saturday rioted, vandalized and viciously attacked police during protests against the construction of a police training facility in a wooded area of Atlanta. The riots were a result of leftist groups calling for a "public meeting" known as the "night of rage" in response to the death of activist Manuel Teran, who died after police shot and wounded a State Patrol officer in the forest known as Cop City, where police facilities are being built.
During the riots, Antifa members clashed with police, lit cars on fire, threw stones at shop windows and wreaked havoc in the city. At least six protesters were arrested, some carrying explosives.
"Georgians respect peaceful protesters, but do not tolerate acts of violence against persons or properties," the Republican governor stated in his emergency order.
Orden de Emergencia en Georgia by VozMedia
"Domestic terrorism" in various parts of the country
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr noted a few days ago that the riots in Atlanta were considered "domestic terrorism" crimes. These crimes are spreading throughout the country. Governor Kemp warned earlier this month that "these individuals are members of a broader network of militant activists who have committed similar acts of domestic terrorism and intimidation across the country with no regard for the people or communities impacted by their crimes."
Below is my statement on domestic terrorist activities related to the proposed Atlanta public safety training center: pic.twitter.com/RLD7mcdfX7
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) January 3, 2023
Subsequent events proved Kemp right. Several groups opposing the police facility have emerged in other states, such as Massachusetts and Oregon. The radicals adopted the phrase 'Stop Cop City' to justify their violent acts.
A few days ago, 23 year old Jared 'Riley' Dowell, son of Democratic Representative Katherine Clark, was arrested in Boston, Massachusetts. He was charged with assaulting a police officer and vandalizing a historic landmark during a protest, according to the Boston Police Department.
Boston officers were also on high alert over the weekend in the wake of protests that began in Atlanta and are spreading across several states.
