DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A crowd of people gathered outside of the DeKalb County Jail in support of a group of protesters arrested on Thursday morning.

The group of protesters outside the jail lit candles and held signs calling for a stop to be put to the building of the training center, which they have dubbed “Cop City.”

Earlier, five people chained themselves to construction equipment at the construction site of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center. All five were arrested and charged.

The protesters included:

• Lalita Martin, 28 of Atlanta - charged with trespassing, obstruction and reckless conduct
• Timothy Sullivan, 25 of Burlington, Mass. - charged with trespassing and obstruction
• Ayeola Whitworth, 25 from Atlanta - charged with trespassing and obstruction
• David Dunn, 61 from Roswell - charged with trespassing and obstruction
• Jeffrey Jones, 65 from Smyrna - charged with trespassing and obstruction

The group representing the arrested protesters said Thursday’s events are in response to an indictment handed up earlier this week and their efforts to get a ballot referendum.

In Tuesday’s indictment, 61 defendants were charged with violation of the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

A handful of defendants also face counts of domestic terrorism, arson and money laundering.

©2023 Cox Media Group