Politicians, activists react to Thursday’s Emory protests, arrests [Video]

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Thursday’s protests and subsequent arrests at Atlanta’s Emory University, as multiple groups protested the Israel-Hamas war and Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, brought strong reactions from both sides of political, social and philosophical aisles.

“We will not allow pro-terrorist radicals and liberal anarchists to invade Georgia’s campuses,” Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, a likely candidate in Georgia’s 2026 gubernatorial race, said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “These criminals have only one goal: disruption. These heinous acts of antisemitism seen across the country cannot continue. In Georgia, they will be stopped, and these criminals will be punished.”

Atlanta News First crews saw at least 15 people detained as protesters clashed with police and Georgia State Patrol.

According to organizers, protesters were demanding “total divestment from Israeli apartheid and Cop City.” “Defend the Atlanta Forest” posted on X that the protesters at Emory University are part of the Gaza Solidarity/Stop Cop City Encampment.