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AADM's Mokah Jasmine Johnson on Justice for Black Lives Rally

By Alexia Ridley • 28 minutes ago

A second demonstration is planned in Athens Saturday in honor of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and other African-Americans killed by police. Co-founder of the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement, Mokah Jasmine Johnson is one of the organizers.

“We’re going to move with our rally and to amplify our voices for the injustice that keeps on occurring,” Johnson said. “Because whether we stay in our homes, as you can see, even during a pandemic, people are being killed by law enforcement officers."

Justice For Black Lives Rally Will Proceed Saturday, June 6

By Emma Auer • 47 minutes ago

The Justice for Black Lives Rally will take place on Saturday, June 6 at 2 pm, according to the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM). Organizers have been coordinating with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and City Manager Blaine Williams regarding safety measures and rumors spreading around the community.

Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 at Mass Gatherings & Responding to Potential Exposures

By ACCGov • 56 minutes ago

In response to recent demonstrations and gatherings by members of the public, the Northeast Health District is issuing guidance on reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission during mass gatherings and on how to respond to a potential exposure while in attendance.

Steps that you can take to reduce the spread of COVID-19 during gatherings include:

Georgia Infections Top 50K; Tear Gas Use Worries Expert

By Jeff Martin AP • 1 hour ago

An Emory University infectious disease specialist says he has serious concerns that police spraying tear gas on protesters could spread the coronavirus. Meanwhile, the Georgia Department of Public Health reported Friday that coronavirus infections statewide have topped 50,000.

Arbery Killing Stirs Call to Scrap Citizen Arrest in Georgia

By Russ Bynum AP • 1 hour ago

Some Georgia lawmakers are calling to quickly scrap the state's 19th-century citizen arrest law that was cited in one prosecutor's controversial justification of the killing of Ahmaud Arbery. Democratic state Rep. Carl Gilliard on Friday said the law adopted in 1863 is an antiquated relic from the time of the Wild West.

Georgia News

Athens News Matters

Athens News Matters: June 5, 2020

By Alexia Ridley, Chris Shupe & Martin Matheny • 4 hours ago

This week on Athens News Matters, hear:

Athens News Matters: A Historical Perspective on Today's Civil Unrest

By Alexia Ridley • 4 hours ago

Jim Cobb, Athens News Matters' resident historian, joins Alexia Ridley to give us some historical perspective on the protests of the last 10 days, and whether there is a historical parallel with 1968.

Athens News Matters: Talking to Your Kids about Police Violence

By Chris Shupe • 4 hours ago

Some parents are struggling with how to talk to their children about police violence. Diane Bales from the University of Georgia's College of Family and Consumer Sciences joins Chris Shupe to give some insight on how parents can discuss racial and police violence with their kids.

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NPR News

Active Duty Troops On Standby Outside Washington, D.C., Being Sent Back To Home Bases

By David Welna • 20 minutes ago

All of the approximately 1,600 active duty soldiers who were airlifted to military bases near Washington, D.C., earlier this week are being ordered back to their home postings, according the Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy.

Caravan For Justice: Cars Offer Socially Distanced Protesting During Pandemic

By Camila Domonoske • 24 minutes ago

Hundreds and hundreds of cars wound through the streets of San Francisco. Drivers honked. Children chanted. Signs read "Black Lives Matter "and "No Justice, No Peace" as for hours protesters — socially distanced inside their own vehicles — added their voices to a national chorus of outrage.

Minneapolis Agrees To Ban Chokeholds And Neck Restraints By Police

By David Schaper & Jason Slotkin • 52 minutes ago

Police in Minneapolis will be forbidden to use chokeholds and neck restraints under reforms negotiated by city and state authorities.

In an emergency vote on Friday, the Minneapolis city council approved an agreement with the state Department of Human Rights, which earlier this week opened an investigation into the killing of George Floyd by city police.

Coronavirus FAQs: How To Stay Safe While Protesting; When To Go Out After Recovery

By Allison Aubrey & Isabella Gomez Sarmiento & Pranav Baskar • 1 hour ago

This is part of a series looking at pressing coronavirus questions of the week. We'd like to hear what you're curious about. Email us at goatsandsoda@npr.org with the subject line: "Weekly Coronavirus Questions."

What risks are there in attending a protest rally?

Modelers say it's difficult to assess how the protests will influence COVID-19 infections. But, it's clear that a key ingredient for transmission is present at many of these rallies: close contact.

More News from NPR