ATLANTA (AP) – Georgia’s governor is sending home the National Guard, saying it’s no longer needed to control protests against police brutality and racial injustice.
Republican Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement Monday that the state of emergency over the protest and the mobilization of the guard would both end on Monday. He said the state would monitor activity and respond if necessary.
“I greatly appreciate the men and women of the Georgia National Guard, state and local law enforcement, and all first responders who kept Georgians safe and ensured peaceful demonstrations across our great state,” Kemp said in a statement. “This coordinated team worked tirelessly to protect communities, businesses, and everyone exercising their constitutional rights.”
Kemp had called guardsmen out after a May 29 protest in downtown Atlanta devolved into burning of police vehicles, smashing windows and looting. The National Guard was a visible and at-times heavy presence in the following days, helping to enforce a citywide curfew and preventing protesters from entering Centennial Olympic Park and certain streets.
Clashes followed, with tear gas used multiple times to disperse protesters near the park or Georgia state capitol. Guardsmen remained prominent on streets as late as Friday, but were a less-obvious presence on Saturday and Sunday after the city of Atlanta dropped its curfew and no problems were reported.
