ATLANTA — Demonstrations continue for the ninth day in a row across metro Atlanta, as part of a growing national movement in the wake of the death of yet another black American during an encounter with police.
The death of George Floyd, the Minnesota man who died after a Minneapolis Police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes while Floyd was handcuffed on the ground and called for help, sparked a wave of continuous protests across the United States, including here in Atlanta, as Americans from all walks of life denounced the officer's actions and demanded immediate changes to policing.
Centennial Olympic Park has been the hub of the largest of the demonstrations, but several others have sprung up across Atlanta's sprawling suburbs, from Johns Creek, to Dacula, to Cumming, Marietta and beyond.
Though the protests are now well past the chaos that unfolded last weekend, a curfew remained for several days in the City of Atlanta until dawn. However, the curfew was lifted on Saturday.
For the last two nights, the protests in the city have ended without law enforcement having to use tear gas to clear the crowds at curfew, and Friday night's 8 p.m. curfew came and went with no arrests.
11Alive will provide updates on the demonstration throughout the night and will update this story as they develop.
PHOTOS: Atlanta protests continue for ninth day
UPDATES
10:54 p.m. | For the second day in a row, Atlanta Police say they have made no arrests as peaceful protests continue in the city. Less than a week ago, police were reporting arrests daily that were sometimes over 100. But in the days that followed, the number has trended down to what it is now - 0.
10:52 p.m. | Protests at the capitol appear to have also come to an end. However, protesters said they will be back on Sunday.
10:45 p.m. | Back at Centennial Olympic Park, the protests have largely wound down. The National Guard appears to be leaving for the night, 11Alive's Ryan Kruger reports.
10:10 p.m. | The capitol is heavily guarded as about two dozen protesters stand outside the gates. Some protesters are chanting "Why are you in riot gear?" at police.
8:18 p.m. | 11Alive captured this image of two very young peaceful protesters in front of a backdrop of downtown Atlanta.
8:05 p.m. | Centennial Olympic Park as seen from Georgia Department of Transportation cameras in the area.
7:44 p.m. | Protests at the corner of Marietta and Centennial remain calm. The location has been the epicenter of Atlanta's protests for more than a week. No police presence visible. Some groups are starting to block the intersection.
7:31 p.m. | Music has been a part of the protests in recent days but appears to be playing an even bigger part in protests today with a full band performing atop a nearby parking deck.
And at the same time in Piedmont Park, a peaceful protest has given way to people dancing to Kendrick Lamar and Beyonce.
6:15 p.m. | More protesters and a bigger crowd forming at the King Center.
5:53 p.m. | One group of marchers has returned to the King Center. The first march was organized by a group known as YCBL, 11Alive's Chenue Her reports. Another group is now marching by the King Center. The APD presence in the area is also growing as more groups come together.
4:21 p.m. | For the first time all week, there is no police line at Marietta Street and Centennial Olympic Park Drive in downtown Atlanta.
3:47 p.m. | Several hundred protesters have gathered between the Fulton County Courthouse and the government center in downtown Atlanta. The group is listening to speakers describe their experiences with the police. One speaker added that the crowd needs to vote if they want to see change.
3:43 p.m. | Protesters are now walking down Jackson Street in Atlanta.
3:22 p.m. | Organizers of a demonstration at the King Center in Atlanta said their demonstration and march is peaceful and stressed that it must remain so. They've also asked for a meeting with Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.
3 p.m. | A group of nearly 1,000 protesters gathered in Forsyth County on Saturday afternoon. The group was one of several protests around metro Atlanta and the nation on Saturday - but was also one of the largest outside the city of Atlanta itself.
1 p.m. | The City of Atlanta has dropped its curfew for Saturday and Sunday nights, though protests are expected to continue.
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