Mastodon Twitter Instagram Youtube
Jun 3, 19

DeKalb County, GA: Marchers Bust Out Windows After Another Man Dies at DeKalb

In the Atlanta area, local news reports that a group of around 25 people, all wearing black with masks, marched on the DeKalb government building while carrying a banner and proceeded to break out windows and write graffiti reading, “Fuck 12,” last Friday night.

As AJC wrote:

Twenty to 26 people wearing masks, hoodies and gloves were seen walking toward the Maloof Administrative Building in downtown Decatur around 9:30 p.m, the DeKalb Police Department. Surveillance video showed the group using rocks, hammers and pick axes to break windows and doors.

Many local outlets are reporting that the vandalism is believed to be linked to ongoing protests against brutal conditions at the DeKalb County Jail. Demonstrations began in April, after viral photos circulated on social media of young African-American men holding up food trays with slogans complaining of mold and inhuman conditions written on them. It’s Going Down publicized these photos in a report and also interviewed the mother of one of the inmates in the viral photos.

Another factor many believe are driving the protests is the ongoing deaths that have happened to those locked inside of DeKalb. As WSBTV wrote:

Channel 2 Action News has learned of a recent inmate death in the DeKalb County jail days ahead of a second round of protests alleging inmate abuse. The attorney representing the inmate’s family said he was ignored in his final days and his death was preventable.

“If at any point during those four to five days, if he had the opportunity to get the appropriate level of medical care, he would be here today,” said attorney Justin Spizman. ”It was just a coincidence that (protesters) were picketing to prevent a death that had already occurred.”

Spizman said Clarence Manning was in perfect health in mid-February. That’s when he was booked into the jail. At the time, he was taking medication for hypertension, but the 64-year-old didn’t have major issues, his family said.

As ACJ wrote:

The demonstrations began in April after inmates used social media to spread complaints about mistreatment from corrections officers and black mold.

Four people were arrested on April 19 after officers said they forced their way into the jail lobby and threw firecrackers and smoke bombs. Another four people were arrested after they refused to stop blocking traffic on Memorial Drive.

Also last Friday, a demonstration was held outside of DeKalb County Jail, the 4th demonstration to bring attention to the ongoing abuses inside.

Share This:

In search of new forms of life. It's Going Down is a digital community center and media platform featuring news, opinion, podcasts, and reporting on autonomous social movements and revolt across so-called North America from an anarchist perspective.

More Like This