Charges dropped against 37 people arrested during Atlanta protests last summer

Charges have been dismissed in 37 cases against people who participated in Atlanta protests
last summer, authorities said Friday.

The Fulton County Solicitor General’s Office said it is investigating all arrests related to the protests against racial injustice that took place over several months in 2020. They have identified a “first preliminary batch” of cases to dismiss, according to Solicitor General Keith Gammager.

All charges dismissed were misdemeanor offenses, Channel 2 Action News reported, but the specific charges were not released.

Gammager told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that “we are working daily to identify more cases that could potentially be dismissed.”

Nearly 600 people were arrested during demonstrations across the city following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, the killing of Rayshard Brooks by an Atlanta cop and other cases across the United States.

Half of those arrested were charged with violating the nightly curfew that Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms instituted. Most others were charged with blocking roads or disorderly conduct.

The news comes months after dozens of attorneys, activists and clergy members called for Atlanta officials to drop the charges, AJC.com previously reported.

The AJC has also reached out to Atlanta police for comment on the dismissals. 

Charges dropped against 37 people arrested during Atlanta protests last summer (ajc.com)