Video: 'Cop City' chaos erupts in Atlanta when rioters set police cars on fire, launch fireworks, hurl rocks

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Explosive video shows a riot breaking out in Atlanta following a protest against fatal police shooting at the future Atlanta Public Safety Training Center that has been nicknamed "Cop City."

On Wednesday, police fatally shot activist Manuel Esteban Paez Teran. The 26-year-old staged a protest at the future site of a planned public safety training center to be constructed in a southeast Atlanta forest.

Teran – who called himself "Tortuguita" – reportedly refused to comply with law enforcement, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Teran allegedly shot a Georgia State Patrol Trooper at Intrenchment Creek Park. Other law enforcement officers returned fire, struck Teran, and killed him.

Protests against the police shooting were organized for downtown Atlanta at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Protesters held signs that read: "They Can’t Kill Us All” and “Trees Give Life, Police Take It.” There were also chants of "Stop Cop City" and "If they build it, we will burn it."

However, the event of about 300 participants turned violent within an hour.

Rioters launched fireworks and threw large rocks at the Atlanta Police Foundation building in downtown Atlanta. Two police cruisers were set on fire and other APD vehicles had bricks thrown at them. Windows of local businesses were smashed during the riot revolving around the "Cop City" controversy.

\u201cBREAKING: #COPCITY protesters throw rocks at Atlanta Police Foundation building in downtown Atlanta. They also set off fireworks and spray painted the building. #ATL #BREAKING #NOW @FOX5Atlanta\u201d
— Billy Heath III (@Billy Heath III) 1674341983


\u201cBREAKING: @Atlanta_Police vehicle burns in downtown Atlanta, police are working urgently to clear the streets of #COPCITY protesters. Very chaotic scene unfolding right now. #BREAKING #ATL #NEWS #NOW @FOX5Atlanta\u201d
— Billy Heath III (@Billy Heath III) 1674342830
\u201cBREAKING: A crime scene has been established in Atlanta as cops work to secure a perimeter around two vandalized PD vehicles. One fully engulfed in flames, another has a smashed windshield. This is a rapidly developing situation, we\u2019ll have updates on @FOX5Atlanta #COPCITY #ATL\u201d
— Billy Heath III (@Billy Heath III) 1674344028
\u201cHere are some pictures from the @WellsFargo along Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta. A witness tells me a group handed him a stop "cop city" flier, and then he saw them smash several windows. There's still a heavy police presence in the area. @11AliveNews\u201d
— Dawn White (@Dawn White) 1674349270


\u201cAs police showed up the crowd split in mostly two directions with the largest chunk of people able to move away from police presence. After the majority of arrests took place we noticed one of the cop cars smashed up was also lit ablaze.\u201d
— Garrison Davis (or just Gare) (@Garrison Davis (or just Gare)) 1674340552

Several rioters were arrested.

The Atlanta Police Department issued a statement on the violence:

The Atlanta Police Department is aware of the ongoing events, and we will continue to monitor them and address accordingly. We stand ready to respond to demonstrations to ensure the safety of those in our communities and those exercising their first amendment right, or to address illegal activity, should the need arise.

The office of Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp released a statement:

The governor remains well informed of the situation through regular updates from state law enforcement and is actively monitoring the situation. State patrol is well equipped to respond to any and all threats to public safety and is coordinating closely with other state agencies and local PD. While the state continues to respect peaceful protest, acts of violence against person or property will NOT be tolerated. Those committing such unlawful acts will be arrested and prosecuted fully.

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Portland rioters attack federal courthouse, set fires, and bash Biden: 'New president same imperialism'



Violence erupted in Portland on Thursday night as rioters targeted the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse. Federal officers were dispatched to quell the unrest that included fires and windows smashed.

There had been regular protests and riots in downtown Portland since the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Despite frequent and reoccurring unrest in the area of the federal courthouse, the protective fence surrounding the federal courthouse was taken down Thursday for the first time since last summer, KGW reported.

Black-clad protesters swarmed the Oregon courthouse Thursday night. A group of around 50 gathered at the federal courthouse building, according to KOIN reporter Jennifer Dowling. Fires were set near the courthouse, and rioters ripped down plywood in order to break the windows on the federal building. One rioter used a scooter to smash a window.

(CAUTION: Graphic video)

It appears as if some people have broken in the glass on the front doors of the federal courthouse building after r… https://t.co/IsKJXpbl0p
— Jennifer Dowling (@Jennifer Dowling)1615527275.0
Someone in the group set fire to the plywood on the building at the entrance to the courthouse. Federal officers a… https://t.co/ESl0prcerh
— Jennifer Dowling (@Jennifer Dowling)1615530598.0
A guy uses a scooter to bash in the window before getting hit with what sounds & smells like pepper balls or some o… https://t.co/8rSFNdUk1w
— Jennifer Dowling (@Jennifer Dowling)1615530197.0
Federal agents marching through downtown Portland in March 2021. https://t.co/kxiMlswVq0
— Garrison Davis (keyboard cowboy) (@Garrison Davis (keyboard cowboy))1615528301.0

Federal officers deployed tear gas canisters and flash-bang grenades to disperse the violent mob. Journalist Suzette Smith said Department of Homeland Security officers were guarding the federal courthouse.

Gas or smoke canisters deployed by federal officers, pushing people off the property. Other officers have put out… https://t.co/qRcad41a1k
— Jennifer Dowling (@Jennifer Dowling)1615530769.0
The teargas is thick in downtown Portland tonight. A MAX train gets caught up in the toxic fumes. https://t.co/zCzvWkuKrw
— Garrison Davis (keyboard cowboy) (@Garrison Davis (keyboard cowboy))1615532591.0
Scenes of chaos have returned at the heart of downtown Portland as federal officers mobilize to protect the courtho… https://t.co/pJ3GStsqPo
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1615536281.0

Photojournalist Garrison Davis shared images on Twitter of the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse spray-painted with graffiti, some read "Black Lives Matter," "New President Same Imperialism," "Fascists Live Here," and the anti-police acronym "ACAB" that means "All cops are bastards."

I’m heading out but I’ll leave you with these four photos. https://t.co/YB44wSFGnL
— Garrison Davis (keyboard cowboy) (@Garrison Davis (keyboard cowboy))1615534488.0

Earlier Thursday, there was a confrontation at the entrance to the federal courthouse, according to journalist Andy Ngo.

“F— the United States!” Antifa try to break into the federal courthouse in Portland. Federal officials just removed… https://t.co/Vu4ooD40Pg
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1615505656.0

KING-TV reported, "Police said a group of people invaded the lobby of an office building" in downtown Portland on Thursday.

"Officers arrived and found about 30 people refusing to leave, some smoking inside, some with pets," police said in a news release. "The situation escalated when people began damaging property, including a television and the front doors to the building."

A Wells Fargo bank in Oregon's biggest city was also attacked Thursday.

#Antifa and other far-left rioters in Portland tried to break into the @Chase bank. A lone security guard tried hol… https://t.co/ecEUUnEzKF
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1615512587.0
Just an idea Tifa attacked two banks in Portland yesterday before their siege attempts on the courthouse. This was… https://t.co/P7ZcluAOcS
— CIA-Simulation Warlord 🇺🇸🦈🇺🇸 (@CIA-Simulation Warlord 🇺🇸🦈🇺🇸)1615552730.0

The Portland police acknowledged that they are aware of protests planned for Friday and the weekend.

"We are aware of events planned tomorrow and this weekend in which people plan to gather and demonstrate. Demonstration Liaison Officers (DLOs) are available to work with community members organizing these events," the Portland police tweeted on Thursday. "DLOs work with event organizers to better ensure a safe environment for event participants and non-participating community members."

Ngo shared an alleged poster for the "Direct Action March," that calls for "No Justice No Peace." The poster also reads, "No Borders! No Nations! Abolish Deportation!" There is reportedly a warning from the protesters to the public "not engage with the demonstrators in any way, including yelling at them or filming them in plain view, as it may result in retaliatory action by the demonstrators."

"...may result in retaliatory action by the demonstrators."Ahead of tonight's pre-announced #antifa riot in Portl… https://t.co/iFu9LpqImh
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1615565242.0

Black Lives Matter protesters chain themselves together in lobby of Mayor Ted Wheeler's condo, riots erupt in Portland



A group of Black Lives Matter protesters chained themselves together inside the lobby of Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler's condo on Friday night. The sit-in was part of a larger demonstration outside of Wheeler's apartment, where approximately 150 people gathered to protest police brutality and racial inequality.

At around 7 p.m., approximately one dozen BLM protesters assembled inside the lobby of progressive mayor's apartment complex in the Pearl District. The group vowed to stay locked inside the lobby until Wheeler heard their demands. The group left three hours later.

The group demanded that Wheeler reduce the Portland Police Bureau budget, commit to never voting for police budget increases again, abolish the police bureau, and for the Democratic mayor to resign.

"Specifically, we demand that you and your fellow city leaders immediately develop a task force to plan for a 50% reduction of the Portland Police Bureau budget by 2021, and a complete abolition of the Portland Police Bureau by 2022, with no private or technological replacement," the Portland group demanded. "This timeline gives existing police officers ample time to find and train for alternative, meaningful work that benefits the community."

"Furthermore, we demand that the resources saved from the abolition of the Portland Police Bureau be re-invested into Black, Indigenous, and Brown communities, community-centered health and safety, and city services and programs that address the root causes of violence, crime, and inequality," the group added. "We also demand that you - with your extreme wealth, nepotistic career history, and family legacy that highlight you as a true embodiment of white supremacy - resign from your position as the Police Commisioner and Mayor of Portland."

PORTLAND: You do realize protesters are occupying mayor @tedwheeler’s apartment complex And won’t leave until he… https://t.co/1aMG4khoVT
— ELIJAH RIOT (@ELIJAH RIOT)1598686751.0
Protesters dancing in the street in front of the Portland mayor’s apartment. #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx… https://t.co/6CDJyJfu6t
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof))1598668318.0
Three Black Lives Matter protesters have locked arms and are refusing to move from the lobby of Mayor @tedwheeler's… https://t.co/mNGS53XNFZ
— Alex Milan Tracy (@Alex Milan Tracy)1598666645.0
One of the people who chained herself inside @tedwheeler’s condo lobby is Olivia Morgan. She was arrested just two… https://t.co/XYB3rQtf59
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1598671557.0

One resident of the apartment building tried to broker a meeting between Wheeler and the protesters. David Kahn, former president of basketball operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves, stopped to speak to the demonstrators inside the lobby.

Kahn, who said he is a friend of the mayor, told The Oregonian he offered to set up a meeting on Monday with Wheeler, but the group declined.

"I'm certain that if he was here tonight we probably could have arranged for something, but he's not," Kahn said. "But I know for a fact that is a standing policy for him."

Tim Becker, a spokesperson for Wheeler, did not confirm whether the mayor was at his home or not.

Protesters painted bloody red handprints on the windows of the lobby and put up signs that read: "Send Teddy to the Hague."

Agitators shined lights into the windows of the apartment building, and a metal band played live music outside the condos in an effort to not allow Wheeler to get sleep. The security at the condo reportedly called police, but authorities did not respond.

A resident of the condo building allegedly threw objects at the protesters from their window or balcony.

Antifa and BLM are flashing strobe lights into @tedwheeler’s condo building in NW Portland. They’re also hosting a… https://t.co/JlX96x3tRf
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1598677290.0
Here’s the band! #BlackLivesMatter #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests https://t.co/YfXQrmvCMp
— Jules Boykoff (@Jules Boykoff)1598675135.0
BREAKING VIDEO: Protesters outside the apartment building of Ted Wheeler are making sure he doesn’t sleep tonight.… https://t.co/K99d56PCRP
— Anoncat Ⓐ☂️🏴 ➐ (@Anoncat Ⓐ☂️🏴 ➐)1598672732.0
Security for @tedwheeler’s condo said a while ago they called police but no one has showed up so far. That part of… https://t.co/K2wBRbHyk6
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1598672282.0

Protesters also gathered outside of Wheeler's apartment in June. The protest was declared an unlawful assembly.

Wheeler was outside cleaning up trash in his neighborhood the next day. "I live here, and these are my neighbors," Wheeler said in June. "And I'm sure they're not very happy this morning. They're probably not very excited to be my neighbors at the moment."

Wheeler attempted to pander to far-left protesters in July, but that ended with miserably for the Democratic mayor. Agitators threw objects at him, cursed at him, called him a "f***ing fascist," and chanted: "Tear Gas Teddy!" The protest turned violent and tear gas was deployed towards the crowd, including Wheeler.

For the 93rd straight night, there were protests in Portland. On Friday night, shots were allegedly fired into the air, and nobody was hurt.

The Portland Police union building was set on fire.

"Individuals wheeled multiple dumpsters into the road and lit at least one on fire. The fire was in the road and not threatening any structures. In the interest of deescalating the situation, Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers remained out of sight," the Portland Police Bureau said. "However, arsonists put some debris, including a large mattress, against the front door of the building, appeared to spray accelerant on it, and lit it on fire. The flames appeared to engulf the front door area of the building and nearly reach the roofline."

"Due to the extreme life safety concerns, the Incident Commander declared the incident a riot," they added.

Here is a shell casing on the street https://t.co/ojhNOLV3XV
— Sergio Olmos (@Sergio Olmos)1598692149.0
After occupying area outside @tedwheeler’s condo, #antifa have returned to rioting. They have shut down the street… https://t.co/KZTvAqWeug
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1598687277.0
Mattress set on fire in front of the Police Union building, it is currently uninhabited. #blacklivesmatter … https://t.co/TTOowl5Sr2
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof))1598687167.0
To those gathered outside of the Portland Police Association Office on North Lombard Street:This gathering has bee… https://t.co/FzxUVwA00w
— Portland Police (@Portland Police)1598686769.0

Portland erupts in violence as left-wing and right-wing protesters clash in all-out brawls



Right-wing groups, including Proud Boys, believers in the QAnon conspiracy theory, Blue Lives Matter and Trump supporters such as Troops for Trump, held rallies, including the "No To Marxism" rally and the "Trump 2020 Cruise Rally" in Portland on Saturday afternoon. They were met by left-wing counter-protesters made up of of Antifa, self-proclaimed anti-fascists Popular Mobilization PDX, and Black Lives Matter.

Big group of “Blue Lives Matter” and Trump supporters out in Portland today https://t.co/su7ZaIkN9v
— Savanah Hernandez (@Savanah Hernandez)1598122988.0


Trump supporters arrive at justice https://t.co/7BAXsoZ4oW
— Sergio Olmos (@Sergio Olmos)1598124421.0

Many of the right-wing protesters had shields honoring their cause, and both groups used pepper spray and fired paintball guns. During the demonstrations, violence escalated from throwing projectiles and shoving to all-out brawls erupting in front of the Multnomah County Justice Center in downtown Portland.

Huge fight has just broken out between Proud boys and ANTIFA in front of Justice Center in Portland https://t.co/zleU0lhOIp
— Savanah Hernandez (@Savanah Hernandez)1598127043.0
Another mass brawl breaks out in downtown Portland. Proud Boys and other right-wing groups rush in and fight… https://t.co/LbdR9W2aId
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1598137718.0
Another cut the right wing group charging into a crowd and beating people with sticks. They also throw an explosive… https://t.co/PWUOqWFcZQ
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof))1598151629.0
An Antifascist with a paintball gun fires back. https://t.co/Qmmxmak7nx
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof))1598127882.0
#Antifa squirting people with hot motor oil. https://t.co/9VKLIAT69Z
— Villain Phoenix (@Villain Phoenix)1598149870.0
The right wing group starts to fully retreat, the Antifascists advance forward. https://t.co/gWiUuIsE9g
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof))1598131811.0

The Portland Police eventually declared the protest an "unlawful assembly."

The right-wing groups dispersed, and some were followed to a parking garage by a group of left-wing protesters. An Antifa group pursued members of the Proud Boys, some throwing objects as they walked down the street.

Video shows a female member of Antifa throw a punch at a Proud Boy member, and then another Proud Boy member retaliates by knocking her to the ground. Some people with Antifa cry for the police to intervene.

Department of Homeland Security officers set up a perimeter at the Terry Schrunk Plaza, and attempted to break up the crowds by using pepper bullets.

An #antifa mob find & chase down a Proud Boys group that got separated trying to leave downtown Portland. One maske… https://t.co/Tz54UCOQ3W
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1598145250.0
ANTIFA have backed a smaller group of proud boys into a parking garage https://t.co/1e26JQxXNi
— Savanah Hernandez (@Savanah Hernandez)1598131532.0
The DHS officers are pushing people out of the park, firing off impact rounds and/or pepper bullets. https://t.co/ZksOggtfJB
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof))1598133617.0

The Portland Police Bureau released a statement regarding Saturday's violence.

"On Saturday, August 22, 2020 several different groups gathered in Downtown Portland around noon," the press release read. "There were a variety of groups with various ideologies represented and several hundred individuals filled the streets and nearby park."

"Officers located a bucket containing condoms filled with an unknown liquid substance and a water bottle with what appeared to be urine along with several shields staged near the park at Southwest 4th Avenue and Salmon," the statement said.

"Over the course of the next two hours, the groups remained in the streets. Individuals yelled at each other and there were some physical interactions which quickly resolved themselves," the Portland Police said. "Some members from both groups threw projectiles and deployed aerosols like pepper and bear spray at each other. At times, fireworks were thrown and smoke canisters were deployed. Each skirmish appeared to involve willing participants and the events were not enduring in time, so officers were not deployed to intervene."

Portland Police explained why they did not stop the fighting between the groups, "PPB had limited resources available today for the events and many of those working had worked until the early morning hours as a result of the overnight riot. At one point during this call, there were only 4 available police cars in the entire City to respond to emergency calls for service."

"There have been questions about why the events downtown were not declared a riot and why police did not intervene," the statement continued. "Incident commanders have to weigh out the entire situation to determine if police action is likely to make things safer or not. In this case there were hundreds of individuals and many weapons within the groups and an extremely limited amount of police resources actually available to address such a crowd."

"Additionally, PPB members have been the focus of over 80 days of violent actions directed at the police, which is a major consideration for determining if police resources are necessary to interject between two groups with individuals who appear to be willingly engaging in physical confrontations for short durations," the statement went on to say.

"While the activity in the group met the definition of a riot, PPB did not declare one because there were not adequate police resources available to address such a declaration," the news release stated. "PPB had roughly 30 officers available for crowd management and there were several hundred individuals associated with the events downtown."

Saturday marked the 87th day of protests and riots in Portland.