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Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard announced that six Atlanta police officers who pulled two college students from their car, tasing one of them, had arrest warrants issued for them.
Widely circulated social media video showed Morehouse student Messiah Young, 22, and his girlfriend, 20-year-old Taniyah Pilgrim, who attends Spelman College, yanked from their car during Atlanta protests over the weekend.
6 Police Officers Charged After Students Pulled From Car
Young was tased in the driver seat.
“I feel a little safer now that these monsters are off of the street and no longer able to terrorize anyone else,” Young said at a news conference.
“I thought I might be killed,” says Taniyah Pilgrim, a college student involved in the tasing incident in Atlanta. “Nothing really warranted it. After I realized none of this really had a reason, I was just thinking, OK, this is the end.”https://t.co/nuLVeUwKgU pic.twitter.com/e5dKEVY84S
— New Day (@NewDay) June 3, 2020
“I have multiple injuries all over my body,” Young told CNN New Day. “I had a taser in my back for eight hours.”
Meanwhile the only explanation we have from the police officers’ viewpoint, is a viral social media video where one of them tries to add some context.
Who Are The 6 Atlanta Police Officers Arrested In The Protests?
Here are the six officers charged in the violent arrest of the students and what they’re charged with:
Lonnie Hood
Hood is charged with aggravated assault and simple battery
Officer Willie Sauls
Sauls is charged with aggravated assault and criminal damage to property.
Officer E. Armond Jones
Jones is charged with aggravated battery and pointing a gun.
Officer F. Ronald Claud
Claud is charged with criminal damage to property.
Officer Ivory Streeter
Streeter is charged with aggravated assault. He was subsequently fired.
Officer Mark Gardner
Gardner is charged with aggravated assault. He also was fired.
.@KeishaBottoms who exactly did you fire? Officer A. Jones is literally over here justifying his actions and the actions of the other cops who attacked Messiah and Taniyah. Why is this officer in duty the next day? Why is this man still with a job? pic.twitter.com/ihEBBVoIU6
— Eyerusalem (@_eyerusalem) May 31, 2020
According to a news report, Atlanta Police Chief Ericka Shields told officers in a memo that supporting agencies have pulled back their support because of the arrests of the six officers.
“Now that the charges have been announced, I’m very concerned with the space we find ourselves in, both tactically and emotionally,” Chief Shields wrote, according to CBS46.com. “Multiple agencies that were assisting us in managing this incredibly volatile time have pulled out, effective immediately. They are not comfortable with their employees being leveraged politically by the potential of also facing criminal charges.”
Amid day after day of more protests, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms says that the president of the United States is making matters worse when he speaks.
Bottoms spoke to CNN on Monday, where she weighed in on the protests which have rippled across the country in the wake of the grips of a tense situation.
“America is a tinderbox and Donald Trump’s tongue is a flame right now,” Bottoms told CNN. “He’s got to know that his actions aren’t helping us right now. Every time he opens his mouth, he throws another match on the fire. If he can’t lead us all, he can’t lead any of us.”
She added that this may be the time, in one of the darkest moments of U.S. history, for him — the leader of the free world — to be silent.
Television news channels showed repeated images and video of looters — both black and white — taking place in American cities. At the same time, many more places held peaceful protests where police officers even joined in the marches.
Atlanta Responds To Protests
In Atlanta, retailers like Target and CVS had closed certain locations. Meanwhile other stores opted to close early, including Walmarts in some urban areas.
“I’m watching these images, the first thing that came to mind is, America is a tinderbox and Donald Trump’s tongue is a flame right now. Each time he opens his mouth, he throws another match on the fire,” Atlanta Mayor @KeishaBottoms says. pic.twitter.com/rJkVH1GbCN
— The Situation Room (@CNNSitRoom) June 1, 2020
“I feel a little safer now that these monsters are off of the street and no longer able to terrorize anyone else,” Young said at a news conference.
Atlanta GA last night around 9:30PM. Police proceeded to knife their tire break their windows tase both occupants. These protests will not stop as long as stuff like this keeps happening. That is not a threat that is just a reality.#protest pic.twitter.com/OzGVCS2n8i
— Jason Evans (@evans2odds) June 1, 2020
The city of Atlanta extended the curfew another night, on June 2, 2020 at 9 p.m. through sunrise June 3, 2020. If you’re going to or from work, you’re exempt from arrest.
Atlanta officials are also concerned that the protests will lead to a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta under a state of emergency. More definitive advice on health, please visit CDC.gov. Here are some helpful links:
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Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q, one of the best barbecue restaurants in Atlanta, resumed dine-in service on Monday, June 1, 2020.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q has implemented several safety procedures to ensure that patrons are protected, including a thorough cleaning after of each table after a guest’s departure.
To accommodate more spaced-out seating, the Atlanta barbecue restaurant will shift to a counter ordering service model in the bar area.
Here’s how the dine-in arrangement will work:
- Customers will check-in at the host stand at receive a table number.
- Guests will then order at the bar and take their seats at their table.
- Staff will bring drink refills and other amenities as needed.
In addition to the new style of service, here are guidelines for customers who dine at Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q going forward:
- Maximum 8 guests seated at tables
- Maximum 75 minutes dining time at tables
- No congregating in restroom areas
- First come first serve at all tables
Take-out and delivery service will still remain available for guests. For more information please call (404) 577-4030 or visit foxbrosbbq.com. Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q is located at 1238 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA, 30317.
Read more: 15+ Essential Soul Food Restaurants In Atlanta
The city has some good restaurants in each quadrant of the city: East, West, North, South. All you need to do is think about what you have a taste for. Italian? Soul food? Tex-Mex? Atlanta has it all.
For the latest in metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene, stay with Atlantafi.com.
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Delta Air Lines says its workforce will slim down significantly amid the coronavirus pandemic
No industry has been as impacted by the pandemic as has the travel industry and Delta, the top U.S. airline is not immune.
Delta Announces Voluntary Separations For Employees Amid COVID-19
The Atlanta-based company said in a memo obtained by CNN that a”smaller Delta unfortunately means fewer people will be required.”
Delta told it workers that it will proceed with two voluntary exit programs for its more than 90,000 employees.
Meanwhile, Delta is adding some flights in June as customer demand has lifted slightly.
“While the June schedule is significantly reduced in comparison to last year, customers will see the return of several major routes, both U.S. domestic and international, which were previously suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Delta said in a blog post.
Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta under a state of emergency. More definitive advice on health, please visit CDC.gov. Here are some helpful links:
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The color of your skin can dictate where you live in America, according to findings from the Pew Center for Research.
In Atlanta, like many other areas, you can’t help but notice some areas are heavily populated by one race, even though its features are similar to other areas of town.
Over the past 30-plus years, residential segregation by income has skyrocketed nationwide, the Pew Center said in an analysis on the top. The issue is especially pronounced in 27 of the nation’s 30 largest major metropolitan areas.
The institution analyzed housing patterns and incomes in large metropolitan areas to arrive at the figures. Atlanta makes the top 10 on the list.
Here Are The Top 10 Most Racially Segregated Metro Areas In America
The study concludes that housing patterns are largely shaped by income inequality. which has led to fewer neighborhoods of mixed income or middle class.
The study said key differences separated the cities on the list. For instance, the study noted:
“For example, 41% of the lower-income households in the New York metropolitan area are situated in a majority lower-income census tract, compared with 26% of the lower-income households in the Atlanta area.”
To quantify the cities, the Pew Center devised a single Residential Income Segregation Index (RISI) score for each of the nation’s top 30 metropolitan areas.
Atlanta had a 41 RISI score among the nation’s 10 largest metro areas, which was on the lower end. Houston (61) and Dallas (60) have the highest RISI scores, followed closely by New York (57). At the other end of the scale, Boston (36) and Chicago (41).
Other studies indicate that residential segregation is a key metric in health disparities across the country.
Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta under a state of emergency. More definitive advice on health, please visit CDC.gov. Here are some helpful links:
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Atlanta’s Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms says that Georgia’s largest city is close to lifting restrictions based on statistical data pegged to the deaths and infections from the coronavirus pandemic.
Lance Bottoms has been a vocal critics of Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s re-opening of the state, which took place more than three weeks ago.
“Right now, based on our analysis of the data that we have from the state we are on a 10-day decline,” she told CNN. “We need four more days to be on that 14-day decline that we have been awaiting.”
“Things are not as bad as I thought yet and I am very hopeful that they continue that way, but as we know, with COVID-19 there is often a lag in infections and when people begin to actually show symptoms and get sick.”
Lance Bottoms admits that the COVID-19 case count has surprised her as the numbers seem to have stabilized rather than skyrocketed despite huge crowds at some events.
“Right now it appears that we’re doing better as a state I will keep watching and waiting,” she says.
"It is extremely concerning to see what is happening across the globe. These numbers just remind us that nothing about this virus has changed." – Mayor @KeishaBottoms on @WHO's latest #COVID19 numbers. pic.twitter.com/1uX6AhqhsH
— City of Atlanta, GA (@CityofAtlanta) May 21, 2020
But Georgia is not out of the clear, especially when it comes to controversy.
It was revealed recently that the state’s health department, which keeps an official count of COVID-19 cases and deaths, had some bad numbers in its graphics.
The bar graphs showed a gradual decline in cases, but after further scrutiny, it was learned that the days were put out of order, on at least three occasions.
Atlanta has also become the epicenter of a tug-of-war between the White House and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, which is based here.
The CDC’s quiet release of reopening guidelines has largely been ignored by the nation’s governors.
Georgia Restaurants, Other Business Mixed On Reopening
Some restaurants have refused to re-open, citing that not enough time has passed. And some people have began protesting on city streets.
Despite the flip, Kemp says he’s more worried about his state’s businesses than any flak from others.
“I got some people protesting because I took this step, and I got others protesting me because they think I didn’t go far enough.”
Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta under a state of emergency. More definitive advice on health, please visit CDC.gov. Here are some helpful links:
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Ready for a wild time? Zoo Atlanta has re-opened its doors amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Atlanta institution has implemented several sanitation and health protocols to keep visitors safe.
Some safety measures that Zoo Atlanta has instituted include:
- Timed ticketing system
- No cash
- Face masks strongly encouraged (all staff will have them on)
- Rides, playgrounds and Treetop Trail are temporarily closed
- Food and gifts will be sold from outdoor kiosks
- All lines and traffic flow at the zoo will be a one-way experience that reinforces social distancing guidelines at all locations where it is feasible.
- Visuals at some animal habitats will suggest where guests should stand to watch the animals. Pathway guides will be on hand to assist guests and encourage social distancing
Want to know the ins and outs about Atlanta’s zoo? Here are 7 Things To Know About Zoo Atlanta.
Atlanta has a lot of inspirational people and AtlantaFi.com is going to introduce you to many of them as well as cool places to go, great restaurants and other ATL happenings.
Got an event or know of something opening in and around Atlanta? Holla: CJ@AtlantaFi.com. See what’s poppin’ in the ATL! Subscribe to our news alerts here, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
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The coronavirus pandemic has shut down small and large churches across the nation, including in Georgia, the heart of the Bible Belt. No state re-opening has been as controversial as Georgia’s.
Georgia churches are still allowed to have religious services but they must adhere to strict public health guidelines issued by the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and enforced by local officials.
Will Churches Be Allowed To Open In 2020?
Those health guidelines make up a trinity of basic hygiene measures, including:
- Social distancing
- Wearing masks, face coverings, gloves and other PPE
- Limiting gatherings of 10 or more people
One of the dilemmas for Georgia pastors and other religious leaders is how to accommodate the elderly, who typically make up a large portion of the contributions flowing into a given church.
Some preachers have thought about using a ticketing system to reward those ones with in-person services, but when those numbers get close to 10, things become much more dangerous.
Here’s When Georgia Can Re-Open Bars and Clubs
Still, others have stopped tuning into church altogether or accused the state of banning religious services, which is a constitutional issue.
“In-person services were never banned,” Gov. Brian Kemp tweeted in response to criticism over church closings. “We have encouraged — and continue to encourage — online and remote services.”
He added: “In-person services should always practice social distancing and work to implement sanitation procedures to keep congregations safe.”
As far whether Georgia churches will be allowed to open this year, much depends on the virus. As Georgia’s numbers go up and down, state officials will likely keep gatherings tamped down.
That means church leaders will have to get creative. Many are doing teleconferencing services and other video systems, which are likely to continue.
Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta under a state of emergency. More definitive advice on health, please visit CDC.gov. Here are some helpful links:
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The COVID-19 pandemic has caused millions of people to lose their jobs in 2020. Google is doing something about it with Grow With Google OnAir, a portal that features free virtual workshops, events and 1:1 coaching sessions to help the unemployed.
The point of Grow With Google OnAir is to make the digital tools available to those people who are trying to get jobs again in this tough economy.
Looking For Work? Google OnAir Sharpens Your Job Skills
“Face to face learning has always been integral to Grow with Google’s mission. Since that’s no longer possible, we are pivoting our resources to a virtual space that is personalized and interactive to give users an equally beneficial experience,” said Jesse Haines, Director of Grow with Google. “We hope that people across the country — including jobseekers and small business owners— can boost their potential with the diverse content contributed by our Grow with Google team and our incredible partners.”
The unemployment numbers are expected to approach more than 20%, which harkens back to the Great Depression.
Here are the titles of some of the online classes and workshops available:
- Fundamentals Of Online Marketing
- Make The Leap To Ecommerce
- Build Your Digital Skills And Online Presence
- Make Your Website Work For You – Part 1
Google OnAir: Register For Upcoming Events Here
Metro Atlanta’s economy has slowed, but it’s beginning to pick up steam again, now that Georgia is re-opening. We currently have job articles that show you high-paying jobs, those close to downtown and even side hustles you might like.If you’re looking to get hired in Atlanta right now, there’s a very real possibility that you can land your dream job. -
The execution-style slaying of Ahmaud Arbery has startled Georgians and much of the nation even as they cope with the coronavirus pandemic.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigations announced that the father-son duo who shot him are in custody.
2 Men Arrested In Slaying Of Ahmaud Arbery
“On May 7th, 2020, the GBI arrested Gregory McMichael, age 64, and Travis McMichael, age 34, for the death of Ahmaud Arbery,” the GBI news release says. “They were both charged with murder and aggravated assault. The McMichaels were taken into custody and will be booked into the Glynn County Jail.”
Phot credit: GBI Earlier in the day, Gov. Brian Kemp weighed in, calling the death of Arbery “absolutely horrific.” Kemp expressed support for the GBI investigation as it seeks the truth.
Georgia Gov. Kemp: Ahmaud Arbery Slaying ‘Absolutely Horrific’
Cell phone video taken on February 23 shows Arbery of Brunswick jogging down a neighborhood street when he is confronted by two armed men, one of whom is seen in a truck.
Officials in Glynn County in South Georgia have been playing hot potato with the case, which was largely unknown until the video circulated on social media earlier this week.
Now justice is in the hands of a grand jury, which has to decide whether to file charges. The truth though is that during a pandemic, it is highly unlikely a grand jury will even be seated.
As public attention and anger mounts, GBI Director Vic Reynolds told reporters that he is putting three investigators on the case.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp says he reviewed the video of Ahmaud Arbery's death, calling it "absolutely horrific."
"I have full confidence in Vic Reynolds and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation… to find the truth." https://t.co/zOzQzOK0gK pic.twitter.com/Vnldldn3MB
— ABC News (@ABC) May 7, 2020
“Earlier this week I watched the video,” Kemp said, adding that “Georgians deserve the truth.”
For all two many, especially in the South, the visual of a black man running while two white men with guns follow in hot pursuit harkens back to a time when freedom meant different things to different people.
Arbery’s family is calling for the arrest of the two men, who are father and son.
Gregory and Travis McMichael have told authorities that they thought Arbery fit the description of a burglar who had been seen in the area recently.
Wanda Cooper Jones, told reporters her son was just jogging like he does every day.
“I saw my son come into the world,” Jones said, according to CBS News. “And seeing him leave the world, it’s not something that I’ll want to see ever.”
“These men were vigilantes, they were a posse and they performed a modern lynching in the middle of the day,” Lee Merritt, an attorney for Arbery’s mother, was quoted as saying.
On the video, you can see Travis McMichael struggle with Arbery for the gun before you hear a gunblast, then another one to the chest.
In the police report, McMichael reportedly says that Arbery “began to violently attack” him, leaving him no choice but to shoot.
The truth, when it comes out, may be an entirely different matter.
Meanwhile, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms posted on Twitter about the slaying, saying: “Honestly and selfishly, I didn’t want to watch the murder of #AhmaudArbery. I didn’t want to feel that nauseating churn of my stomach I get each time “it” happens. But that feeling doesn’t compare to the loss and sadness of his and too many other families. May justice be served.”
Also on social media, Atlanta music mogul Jermaine Dupri posed many of the questions about the case that everyone wants to know.
Among Dupri’s queries was “Who filmed this?” Listen to what he has to say:
@jermainedupri Jermaine Dupri Speaks On The Murder of Ahmaud Aubrey.
Justice For 🇺🇸Ahmaud Aubrey"🇺🇸
He Must Be Respected And Appreciated and His Family Compensated. 🇺🇸
And The People That Done This Hate Crime Must Be Arrested.#HR40#AhmaudAubrey pic.twitter.com/xWbtRa9tYH— Step Seven Justice SSJ (@stepseven7) May 7, 2020
Meanwihile, people around the nation planned to run for Arbery, who was an avid jogger. Activists and others used the hashtag #IRunwithAhmaud to show their support.
Americans Run With Ahmaud
They showed their support in the following cities:
From Detroit:
Today was brutal, but I ran my 2.23 miles (I know it says 2.24) for Ahmaud Arbery. Ahmaud would have turned 26 years old today. 🙏🏾 #RunWithMaud #IRunwithAhmaud #JusticeForAhmaudArbery pic.twitter.com/Gq2f56Wxnc
— Aya M. Waller-Bey, MPhil (@Aya__Marie) May 8, 2020
From Kentucky:
#IRunwithAhmaud Walked 2.23 miles in honor of Ahmaud Arbery and to express love and support for his parents and loved ones.
Lexington, KY pic.twitter.com/cjqqwCC0fn— Robert Antrobus (@antrobus_robert) May 8, 2020
From Tennessee:
Hailey and I went out this morning to #IRunwithAhmaud. Today would be his birthday and he was gunned down by Georgia racists who were not arrested until millions saw video of these murderers gun down a young man jogging in his neighborhood. Love & strength to his family. pic.twitter.com/yCxDK6gPhS
— #IRunwithMaud (@VoteGloriaJ) May 8, 2020
From Minnesota:
I ran 2.23+ miles tonight for Ahmaud Arbery whose life was cut short when he was shot & killed while going for a run on 2/23. Let us run & live life w/kindness, compassion & love for everyone, esp those who have been mistreated, hurt, misjudged, & discriminated. #IRunWithAhmaud pic.twitter.com/8g49PpWNY4
— Michael Benjamin, MSW, LICSW (@mbenjamin_msw) May 8, 2020
From Ohio:
I will not be afraid to run through my city, state, or country by myself with my head up at anytime of day. I tip my cap to all my black brothers this morning. With heavy hearts and deep thoughts WE PRESS ON. ✊🏾 … WE ALL PRESS ON! #irunwithahmaud #iwillruninmycountry pic.twitter.com/povzeVrj1f
— Micah A. Mills (@Coachm_m) May 7, 2020
The GBI says the investigations are all active and ongoing. If anyone has information related to these cases, please contact the GBI at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477).
Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta under a state of emergency. More definitive advice on health, please visit CDC.gov. Here are some helpful links:
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It’s almost back to business for Atlanta filmmaker Tyler Perry. His much-heralded Tyler Perry Studios is close to restarting production amid the coronavirus pandemic.
That means his partnership with BET, which has produced “The Oval,” and “Sistas,” may resume some time in the near future.
Tyler Perry Studios Close To Re-Opening In Atlanta
He recently got approval from the city of Atlanta to use additional housing on his 330-acre tract at Fort MacPherson, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Tyler Perry Studios will implement rigorous health protocols, including testing, for all those who are summoned back to work, the AJC reports.
It is expected that Perry will use the extra housing to keep crew and actors on the property throughout shooting and production.
Meanwhile, BET Plus, Perry’s streaming service with the black entertainment network, continues to roll out new episodes of new content.
Hey!! #SistasOnBET #TheOvalOnBET #Ruthless #TylerPerryBruh on @betplus pic.twitter.com/VUmOuVbAd4
— Tyler Perry (@tylerperry) May 6, 2020
A lot of people who either move to Atlanta or have been here for a while want to work with Tyler Perry Studios. If you’re one of them, check out our guide on how to get hired there.
How To Get A Job At Tyler Perry Studios
Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta under a state of emergency. More definitive advice on health, please visit CDC.gov. Here are some helpful links:
