Violence In Atlanta Pushes Gov. Kemp To Issue A State Of Emergency
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp issued a state of emergency order following violence in Atlanta over the Fourth of July weekend.
Over 30 residents were injured throughout the weekend by gunfire and five of those people were killed, so Kemp is calling in up to 1,000 National Guard troops in response.
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This lawlessness must be stopped and order restored in our capital city. I have declared a State of Emergency and called up the Georgia Guard because the safety of our citizens comes first.
Governor Brian Kemp
The press release explains that the National Guard will not only protect state buildings like the Capitol, but there'll be more law-enforcement forces on the road and through the communities of large cities like Atlanta.
News4Jax reports that the violence erupted during a peaceful protest that was apparently interrupted by close to 100 individuals in dark clothes and masks, who started shooting, sparking flames, and breaking windows.
"Peaceful protests were hijacked by criminals with a dangerous, destructive agenda. Now, innocent Georgians are being targeted, shot, and left for dead," declared Gov. Kemp.