Atlanta, GA
‘An epidemic’: Metro Atlanta residents protest police brutality in wake of Sonya Massey’s death
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Almost a month after Sonya Massey was shot dead by a deputy in Illinois, a crowd gathered in Atlanta on Sunday to remember her — and their own loved ones whose lives were taken by law enforcement.
At Park Avenue Baptist Church, photo after photo lined the wooden pews during the memorial service, remembering the dead. Amid the grief, families are now banding together to raise awareness of police brutality, they said.
Toni Franklin-Boykins said her son, 12-year-old Le’Den Boykins, was killed in September 2021 after a PIT maneuver by a Georgia State Patrol officer caused the car he was in to flip.
“The police never came to my house, never knocked on our door to let us know our son was killed,” she said. “In [Sonya Massey’s] case, they got justice right away. In most of our cases, mine, we haven’t even begun.”
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Advocates speak out after recent deadly police pursuits in metro Atlanta
Wanda McGilberry was a family friend of Christon Collins, a disabled veteran who had a mental illness. He died in DeKalb County Jail in March, allegedly unresponsive on the floor for hours before any guards came to help, she said.
“We don’t want anything to happen to another inmate, veteran, someone with mental illness,” she said.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Family of veteran demanding answers about his death in DeKalb County Jail
And Jimmy Hill, the father of Jimmy Atchison, said his son was killed in January 2019 by an officer with what he described as “a troubled history of being overly aggressive and disobeying orders.”
“When will people stop remaining silent about this injustice? When will it end? Police brutality is an epidemic,” he added. “It’s just time for people right now to stop remaining silent. Stop ignoring, and stop turning a blind eye towards this injustice.”
Copyright 2024 WANF. All rights reserved.
ATLANTA – A Southwest Airlines flight traveling from Nashville to Fort Lauderdale was diverted to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Friday night following a reported security threat that resulted in a passenger being removed from the plane by police.
Southwest flight diverts to Atlanta
What we know:
Southwest Airlines Flight 2094 landed safely in Atlanta at approximately 9:06 p.m. after diverting from its original path to Florida. According to a statement from Southwest Airlines, the aircraft was diverted to respond to a “possible security matter.”
The airline confirmed that a specific passenger was removed from the flight by the Atlanta Police Department.
What they’re saying:
Southwest Airlines emphasized their commitment to safety following the disruption.
“Southwest Airlines Flight 2094 landed safely at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) Friday evening after diverting to respond to a possible security matter,” a Southwest spokesperson said. “We appreciate the professionalism of our Flight Crew and apologize to our Customers for the delay. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of its Customers and Employees.”
What we don’t know:
It remains unclear exactly what the “passenger in question” did or said to trigger the security response.
Officials have not confirmed if any dangerous items were actually found on the aircraft.
Additionally, the current status of the detained passenger and whether they face charges has not yet been released by the Atlanta Police Department.
The Source: Information provided by Southwest Airlines, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Communications Division, and FlightAware.com.
Atlanta police and public works crews have begun closing a prominent homeless encampment near Grady Memorial Hospital as part of a multi-year “Downtown Rising” initiative to transition residents into permanent housing.
Posted
Sony appears to be testing dynamic pricing on PlayStation games
Russian missile strike kills 10 in Ukraine as Trump says ‘hatred’ between countries complicating peace deal
Trump says US, Israel shattered Iranian military capabilities, presses leaders to surrender: ‘Cry uncle’
GLP-1 drugs linked to higher fracture risk, osteoporosis and gout, new studies suggest
Longtime Blackhawks great and broadcaster Troy Murray dies at 63, team says
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Trump says US, Israel shattered Iranian military capabilities, presses leaders to surrender: ‘Cry uncle’
Protesters come out for Iran in spots across Europe
Trump vows to ‘take care of Cuba,’ praises Venezuela cooperation at summit
Tech company at odds with Pentagon warns its AI possibly gained consciousness, Elon Musk gives 2-word response
Israel kills father, daughter in Gaza as genocide continues amid wider war
-
Wisconsin6 days agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Massachusetts5 days agoMassachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks
-
Maryland7 days agoAM showers Sunday in Maryland
-
Florida7 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Oregon1 week ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling
-
Pennsylvania2 days agoPa. man found guilty of raping teen girl who he took to Mexico
-
News1 week ago2 Survivors Describe the Terror and Tragedy of the Tahoe Avalanche
-
Education1 week ago
After F.B.I. Raid, Los Angeles School Board Discusses Superintendent