DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Following recent protests on Chamblee-Tucker Road and across the region, DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has reaffirmed her commitment to protecting the right to lawful protest while announcing a comprehensive review of law enforcement actions taken during the demonstrations. She also urged caution and clarity in public discourse, recognizing the emotionally charged environment unfolding locally and nationwide.
“We will always uphold the right to peacefully protest in DeKalb County,” said Cochran-Johnson. “At the same time, we have a responsibility to protect the safety of our residents, our officers, and the broader community. I stand firmly by my earlier message—and want the public to know that we are conducting a full and transparent review of all law enforcement actions taken.”
DeKalb County is working in close partnership with the DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD) to review police reports, arrest records, body-worn camera footage, and aerial drone video. This review is being conducted out of an abundance of caution and at the request of concerned citizens. DeKalb County maintains a firm commitment to transparency and accountability.
Cochran-Johnson emphasized that the protest on Chamblee-Tucker Road involved coordination across multiple law enforcement agencies, including DKPD, Doraville PD, Chamblee PD, and the Georgia State Patrol. Initial aerial images from the day of the protest confirmed movement toward a nearby interstate ramp, contributing to the need for crowd control and intervention.
The protest was one of three separate demonstrations held across the County on the same day. While two remained peaceful and cooperative, the Chamblee-Tucker protest resulted in several multijurisdictional arrests of protestors.
DeKalb County will provide additional updates as the review continues and will remain committed to transparency and responsible communication with the public.