23 face judge following protests at Atlanta Public Safety Training site

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Over two dozen people appeared before a Dekalb County judge Tuesday in connection to an incident at the site of the future Atlanta Public Safety Training Facility.

The underlying incident happened Sunday night at around 5:30 p.m. Investigators said a group of violent agitators destroyed multiple pieces of construction equipment, even setting at least one fire. Video released by the Atlanta Police Department shows protestors in black clothing and what appear to be fireworks blasting off. Throughout the video, rocks and Molotov cocktails can be seen being thrown by protestors in the direction of officers.

In total, 100 individuals took part in the protest. According to APD, 44 were detained and 23 were arrested and later charged with domestic terrorism. During Tuesday’s bond hearing, Judge Anna W. Davis denied bond for several of the defendants, citing a lack of local ties presenting a flight risk and a significant danger to the community based on the events that took place Sunday.

At least one defendant was granted a bond of $5,000. The defendant identified as an employee with the Southern Poverty Law Center, was granted a $5,000 bond with an order not to contact codefendants and refrain from being at or near the training site.

“Mr. Jurgens is an employee of the Southern Poverty Law Center,” said an attorney said. “Mr. Jurgens was there as a legal observer and he was there to observe what was going on and see what was going on,” that attorney said.

“Simply because you are an attorney, it doesn’t mean you can’t commit a crime,” said an attorney representing the State said. “I can’t say a witness saw him throw something in particular. We’re not saying that potentially there’s not a case against Mr. Jurgens down the road, but at this stage based on all of those things, we would consent to a bond,” he said.

Early Tuesday, Atlanta News First asked Attorney General Chris Carr whether he will drop the charge for Jurgens.

“Everybody will have their day in court,” Carr said.

According to a statement released by Southern Poverty Law Center, (SPLC) the employee was allegedly acting as a legal observer on behalf of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) at the time of the incident.

The SPLC released the following statement:

“We are pleased that the DeKalb County assistant district attorney (ADA) agreed to a consent bond for Tom Jurgens. As we previously stated, Tom was performing a public service, documenting potential violations of protesters’ rights. We are outraged that police officers present at the protest refused to acknowledge Tom’s role as a legal observer and instead chose to arrest him. We are confident that the evidence will demonstrate he was a peaceful legal observer.

“The SPLC will continue to defend the civil and human rights of all people. We will continue to reject violence wherever and whenever it occurs. We urge law enforcement officials in Atlanta to de-escalate violence and avoid excessive use of force against protesters.

“The SPLC is known and respected for tracking and exposing far-right extremism and hate. Extremists will exploit any opportunity to criticize us because we are committed to exposing their hateful ideology. We will continue to expose and take on the most extreme, racist actors in our country and to defend the rights of all people — including protesters — to express themselves peacefully. Challenging far-right extremists is critical to our charge to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements and advance the human rights of all people.”

Bond was denied for a third defendant, described as a law student, that claimed to be a legal observer. Judge Davis explained her decision, citing the individual was not an acting attorney at the time and did not have local ties.

During the hearings, there were some character witness statements read. A mother of a defendant also appeared in the hearing.

Attorney: “Do you believe that if your son is granted a bond that he will come back to court when he’s supposed to? Mom: absolutely,” said Kate Early.

Early also said she does not believe her son is a risk to commit a crime if he was granted bond.

Moments before the bond hearing began, protesters took to downtown Atlanta to express opposition over the controversial police training center. The demonstration appeared to be more peaceful than the one observed Sunday.

Protest erupts after 23 arrested at site of the future Atlanta Training Facility

During a council meeting, Monday Atlanta police chief Darin Schierbaum addressed public concern about what occurred Sunday night, saying this type of behavior will not be tolerated.

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