US: Vigil and protest planned in Atlanta, Ga., Jan. 20-21 after activist killed at local forest encampment Jan. 18

Event

Members and supporters of the Defend the Atlanta Forest organization plan to hold a vigil Jan. 20 and a protest Jan. 21 in Atlanta, Georgia, after the police-involved shooting death of an activist at a local forest encampment Jan. 18. Police reportedly shot and killed the activist as they attempted to remove the demonstrators who had gathered to protest plans to construct an Atlanta Police Department (APD) facility in the area. Authorities say that the now-deceased protester shot at police first and the officers returned fire; activists have questioned the veracity of the official report.

Defend the Atlanta Forest has announced that the vigil in remembrance of the deceased activist will take place at Weelaunee People's Park from 18:00 Jan. 20. Protesters denouncing the plans to construct the APD facility will meet at Underground Atlanta at 17:00 Jan. 21.

Additionally, APD says that it is on "high alert" after the Scenes from the Atlanta Forest Twitter account called for a "night of rage" late Jan. 20, advocating for "reciprocal violence to be done to the police and their allies" in retaliation for the activist's death. The account did not immediately indicate where the proposed violence would take place. Twitter has since suspended the account, saying that it violated community guidelines.

Heightened security and disruptions to transport and business are likely near the gathering sites, especially Underground Atlanta. Related attacks on law enforcement officers and clashes between protesters and police cannot be ruled out.

Advice

Avoid all demonstrations due to the possibility of clashes. Allow additional time to reach destinations near all related gatherings. If violence breaks out, leave the area and take shelter in a secure, nongovernmental building. Adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.