Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia declared a state of emergency Monday following an uptick in shootings over the July Fourth weekend that injured 31 people and killed five after weeks of violent crime and property destruction in Atlanta.
Kemp's move authorizes the activation of 1,000 National Guard troops to “protect state property and patrol our streets”.
Gov. Kemp, a Republican, said in a statement. ""Peaceful protests were hijacked by criminals with a dangerous, destructive agenda. Now, innocent Georgians are being targeted, shot, and left for dead. This lawlessness must be stopped and order restored in our capital city. I have declared a State of Emergency and called up the Georgia Guard because the safety of our citizens comes first.
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