PHOTOS: Black Lives Matter rally meets opposition at Athens City Hall
A Black Lives Matter rally gathered at Athens City Hall to discuss the movement and the local government’s budget. However, the rally was met with opposition leading to tension and unrest on June 16, 2020, in Athens, Georgia. Disputes broke out between the two groups leading to several verbal alterations and one physical altercation. Â
A Black Lives Matter rally gathered at Athens City Hall to discuss the movement and the local government’s budget but was met with opposition leading to tension and unrest on June 16, 2020, in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/ Kathryn Skeean, kskeean@randb.com)
A rallier chants with the crowd. A Black Lives Matter rally gathered at Athens City Hall to discuss the movement and the local government’s budget but was met with opposition leading to tension and unrest on June 16, 2020, in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/ Kathryn Skeean, kskeean@randb.com)
A member of the opposition speaks with members of the Black Lives Matter rally. A Black Lives Matter rally gathered at Athens City Hall to discuss the movement and the local government’s budget but was met with opposition leading to tension and unrest on June 16, 2020, in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/ Kathryn Skeean, kskeean@randb.com)
Protesters take a selfie at City Hall. A Black Lives Matter rally gathered at Athens City Hall to discuss the movement and the local government’s budget but was met with opposition leading to tension and unrest on June 16, 2020, in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/ Kathryn Skeean, kskeean@randb.com)
A leader of the rally is pushed onto the steps of City Hall and a member of the Athens Vplunteer Civilian Medic Team tries to help after a member of the opposition attempts to take their speaker. A Black Lives Matter rally gathered at Athens City Hall to discuss the movement and the local government’s budget but was met with opposition leading to tension and unrest on June 16, 2020, in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/ Kathryn Skeean, kskeean@randb.com)
Community members voice their opinions to the local commissioners. A Black Lives Matter rally gathered at Athens City Hall to discuss the movement and the local government’s budget but was met with opposition leading to tension and unrest on June 16, 2020, in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/ Kathryn Skeean, kskeean@randb.com)
A Black Lives Matter protester quotes scripture to counterprotesters. A Black Lives Matter rally gathered at Athens City Hall to discuss the movement and the local government’s budget but was met with opposition leading to tension and unrest on June 16, 2020, in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/ Kathryn Skeean, kskeean@randb.com)
A police officer stands in the window of City Hall watching the ralliers. A Black Lives Matter rally gathered at Athens City Hall to discuss the movement and the local government’s budget but was met with opposition leading to tension and unrest on June 16, 2020, in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/ Kathryn Skeean, kskeean@randb.com)
Police stand watching from across the street. A Black Lives Matter rally gathered at Athens City Hall to discuss the movement and the local government’s budget but was met with opposition leading to tension and unrest on June 16, 2020, in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/ Kathryn Skeean, kskeean@randb.com)
A man comes to the front of the ralliers to speak, meeting opposition from those sitting there. A Black Lives Matter rally gathered at Athens City Hall to discuss the movement and the local government’s budget but was met with opposition leading to tension and unrest on June 16, 2020, in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/ Kathryn Skeean, kskeean@randb.com)
A Black Lives Matter rally gathered at Athens City Hall to discuss the movement and the local government’s budget but was met with opposition leading to tension and unrest on June 16, 2020, in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/ Kathryn Skeean, kskeean@randb.com)
The organizer that was injured stands up to speak after the incident. A Black Lives Matter rally gathered at Athens City Hall to discuss the movement and the local government’s budget but was met with opposition leading to tension and unrest on June 16, 2020, in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/ Kathryn Skeean, kskeean@randb.com)
A man speaks on the commission meeting set to happen later during the evening as Black Lives Matter ralliers speak behind him. A Black Lives Matter rally gathered at Athens City Hall to discuss the movement and the local government’s budget but was met with opposition leading to tension and unrest on June 16, 2020, in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/ Kathryn Skeean, kskeean@randb.com)
Yelling breaks out after one of the organizers is injured. A Black Lives Matter rally gathered at Athens City Hall to discuss the movement and the local government’s budget but was met with opposition leading to tension and unrest on June 16, 2020, in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/ Kathryn Skeean, kskeean@randb.com)
A civilian medical tent is set up across the street from the rally. A Black Lives Matter rally gathered at Athens City Hall to discuss the movement and the local government’s budget but was met with opposition leading to tension and unrest on June 16, 2020, in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/ Kathryn Skeean, kskeean@randb.com)
Protesters use spray hand sanitizer as a COVID-19 precaution. A Black Lives Matter rally gathered at Athens City Hall to discuss the movement and the local government’s budget but was met with opposition leading to tension and unrest on June 16, 2020, in Athens, Georgia. (Photo/ Kathryn Skeean, kskeean@randb.com)
Citizens wait in line outside City Hall in Athens, Georgia on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. The public was invited to comment on the proposed fiscal year 2021 budget online or in person. (Photo/Taylor Gerlach; @taylormckenzie_photo)
Citizens watch a live stream of the public comment session while waiting in line outside City Hall in Athens, Georgia on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. The public was invited to comment on the proposed fiscal year 2021 budget online or in person. (Photo/Taylor Gerlach; @taylormckenzie_photo)
Citizens wait in line outside City Hall in Athens, Georgia on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. The public was invited to comment on the proposed fiscal year 2021 budget online or in person. (Photo/Taylor Gerlach; @taylormckenzie_photo)
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Hundreds of people gathered outside Athens City Hall on Tuesday to protest and speak at the public input meeting for the county fiscal year 2021 budget proposal.
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