Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has declared a state of emergency in response to recent violent protests in Atlanta.
The governor has called for up to 1,000 members of the National Guard and made all resources available to respond to the situation.
According to Gov. Kemp, the state of emergency will be in effect until Feb 9, unless he chooses to extend it further.
In a statement, Kemp said it is because of “unlawful assemblage, violence, overt threats of violence, disruption of the peace and tranquility of this state and danger to existing persons or property” that he has declared the state of emergency.
“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,” Kemp said at the onset of the protests.
The protests began last week in response to a police shooting of an activist, Manuel Teran, who the Georgia Bureau of Investigation says shot a state trooper before he was killed.
Demonstrations turned violent as some protesters began throwing bricks at buildings and setting police cars on fire.
Mayor Andre Dickens has also reported that some protesters were carrying explosives.
The group behind the protests is called “Stop Cop City,” and they are opposing the construction of a training ground facility for the Atlanta Police Department.
Some protesters also set off fireworks and smashed windows, according to ABC.
