A coalition called “Shut It Down Atlanta” plans to hold a vigil at Underground Atlanta tonight, Nov. 25, from 5 to 9 p.m. in protest of last night’s announcement that a grand jury decided not to indict Ferguson, MO police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of unarmed teenager Michael Brown.
The event is being described as a “community speak out” following the grand jury decision, which sparked a night of violence, looting and businesses in Ferguson being set ablaze. Creative Loafing reports that a second protest will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight at Woodruff Park.
After the grand jury decision, Mayor Kasim Reed issued a statement urging “everyone taking part in demonstrations to do so in a peaceful manner.”
“I support the efforts of local leaders to promote non-violent expression by self-policing and elevating the voices of community members. Equally important, I believe we should respect the wishes of Michael Brown’s father, Michael Brown Sr., that all protests be conducted in a way that honors his son’s memory, rather than distract from it. It is also essential that all local, state, and federal law enforcement officials show proper restraint and respect every citizen’s constitutional right to assemble. Atlanta’s history demonstrates that we can come together and protest in a non-violent and peaceful fashion.”
Reed also encouraged the United States Department of Justice to conduct a review of how Michael Brown’s killing has been handled thus far. Both the Justice Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation have opened civil rights investigations into the killing of Brown on Aug. 9.
